According to Reuters, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filoza stated on April 30 local time that the group’s cooperation with Leapmotor has formed a mutually beneficial relationship and can serve as a reference model for Stellantis’ cooperation with other Chinese automakers in the future.
After Stellantis released its first-quarter results, Filoza said in a conference call with reporters: “We see this collaboration as an example of how we can also have similar collaborations with another Chinese automaker .”
According to reports Stellantis’ collaboration with Leapmotor began in 2023. At that time, Stellantis acquired approximately 20% of Leapmotor’s shares and established a joint venture to be responsible for the production and sales of Leapmotor models in markets outside of China.
According to the plan, Stellantis will begin assembling the Leapmotor B10 compact SUV in Spain this year. Reuters also reported earlier this month that the two companies are in advanced talks to develop an Opel-branded all-electric SUV using Leapmotor’s technology.
Stellantis will announce a new business plan on May 21. Prior to this, speculation is building about the group’s next moves: Stellantis may reach further cooperation agreements with Leapmotor and other Chinese automakers to utilize idle capacity at its European factories.
Filosa stated that Leapmotor is attracting customers from other automakers, not diverting users from other brands under Stellantis.
As previously reported, Bloomberg reported in March that Stellantis was discussing cooperation plans with Chinese automakers, hoping to inject Chinese capital into its European operations. Stellantis is currently planning to shift its investment focus to the Americas market, while its European business is facing profitability pressures.
Sources familiar with the matter said that Stellantis executives have been in contact with Xiaomi Group and XPeng Motors to discuss a restructuring plan for Stellantis’ European business, one possibility being that Chinese companies will acquire stakes in Maserati or other brands.
