Stellantis has confirmed that electric vehicles from Chinese automaker Leapmotor will be produced at its Figueruelas plant near Zaragoza from the second half of 2026, marking a major step in the group’s strategy to strengthen its position in the global EV market.

The announcement turns the Spanish plant into the first major Leapmotor production hub outside China and signals that the partnership between Stellantis and the Hangzhou-based EV manufacturer is moving beyond distribution into industrial integration.

The first model expected to be built in Zaragoza is the Leapmotor B10, a compact electric SUV aimed at high-volume international markets.

$1.5 billion investment

The project follows Stellantis’ roughly $1.5 billion investment in Leapmotor in 2023, which led to the creation of the Leapmotor International joint venture.

Stellantis holds a 51% controlling stake in the entity and is responsible for selling and distributing the Chinese brand outside China through its global dealer network.

Producing Leapmotor models in Spain carries both industrial and geopolitical significance. Building the vehicles within the European Union allows Stellantis to avoid tariffs on Chinese-built EV imports while benefiting from its existing manufacturing footprint.

The Figueruelas factory, one of Stellantis’ largest European plants, already produces models such as the Opel Corsa and Peugeot 208 and has the capacity and supplier base needed to integrate additional production lines.

Growing EV ecosystem

Spain also offers a growing EV ecosystem. The Zaragoza region is set to host a large lithium-iron-phosphate battery plant planned as a joint venture between Stellantis and CATL, while government incentive programmes aimed at electrification have helped attract new suppliers to the area.

Industry sources expect production of the B10 to begin at modest volumes before scaling up, potentially reaching tens of thousands of vehicles annually. Local suppliers are already preparing for the programme, with new component manufacturing operations planned in Aragón to support the model’s chassis and structural parts.

The move also reflects how political tensions between Europe and China are reshaping automotive investment decisions. Earlier plans reportedly envisioned Leapmotor vehicles being assembled at Stellantis’ plant in Tychy, Poland.

Production of the small Leapmotor T03 began there in 2024. That programme was later halted amid escalating EU-China trade disputes over Chinese EV subsidies and tariffs.

Spain ultimately emerged as a more stable location for a long-term manufacturing programme, allowing Stellantis to expand the partnership without exposing Leapmotor exports to new import duties.

Technological alliance

Beyond manufacturing, the collaboration is increasingly viewed as a technological alliance. Leapmotor has developed its own EV platform architecture, including integrated battery systems, electric drivetrains, and centralized computing electronics designed to reduce complexity and cost.

Stellantis engineers have been studying these systems closely as the group seeks ways to accelerate the development of affordable electric vehicles.

While Stellantis continues to develop its own STLA electric platforms, analysts say Leapmotor’s technology could influence future entry-level models from brands such as Fiat, Citroën, or Opel, particularly in the highly competitive sub-€30,000 segment.

For Stellantis, the partnership effectively creates a new pillar within its multi-brand structure: a specialist EV brand capable of competing with fast-growing Chinese manufacturers while leveraging Stellantis’ global production network and dealer infrastructure.

If the Zaragoza programme proves successful, it could pave the way for additional Leapmotor models to be built in Europe, potentially transforming the Chinese startup into one of the fastest-growing electric brands on the continent under Stellantis’ umbrella.