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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM) and Leapmotor (Zhejiang Leapmotor Technologies Ltd 9863.HK)* today announced their intention to expand their strategic partnership [Leapmotor International – LMPI- is a 51% Stellantis / 49% Leapmotor joint venture with exclusive rights for the sale and manufacturing of Leapmotor products outside Greater China – AutoCrat.]** with an emphasis on European products and assembly plants and engineering technologies.
“This plan to expand our successful partnership with Leapmotor – a trusted peer and one of the fastest-growing, most respected new energy vehicle producers globally – is a true win-win for both of us. It is expected to support production and advance localization in Europe of world-class manufacturing of electric vehicles at affordable prices to meet customers’ real-world needs. Today’s announcement reflects our intent to deepen our partnership and take one more step towards even greater collaborations in the future,” said Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa.
LMPI Expansion at a Glance
- Increasing production at Stellantis’ Zaragoza plant, Opel’s historical manufacturing site, where an all-new electric battery powered Opel C-SUV would be added on a new line alongside Leapmotor’s C-SUV B10 model.
- Enabling the Zaragoza-produced new Opel C-SUV to benefit from components enabled by the LPMI ecosystem, helping to enhance affordability.
- Expanding LPMI’s joint purchasing initiatives to increase Stellantis’ European BEV affordability and accelerate time-to-market for new models.
- Reinforcing the future of Stellantis’ Villaverde, Madrid plant, by allocating Leapmotor future products for European and global markets, with several nameplates manufactured in line with Made-in-Europe requirements, and with the intention to transfer the plant’s ownership to LPMI’s Spanish subsidiary.
“Leapmotor’s leading-edge technologies, combined with Stellantis’ global reach, deep regional roots and much-loved automotive brands, would make this a uniquely powerful partnership. Our joint venture, Leapmotor International, has quickly shown its benefits for both partners and in less than three years, has seen us launch our brand on five continents and significantly grow our international reach and reputation,” said Zhu Jiangming, Leapmotor founder and CEO.
Both Leapmotor International parties are currently conducting feasibility studies and pre-development work under existing arrangements and are continuing discussions toward potential broader industrial cooperation as noted above, subject to the execution of definitive agreements and customary approvals.
*AutoInformed on
**LMPI
- The LPMI business experienced a successful expansion in Europe during the last 18 months. Since launching the T03 and C10 models in 2024, LPMI has expanded its presence across the region to more than 850 points of sale and service, with more than 40,000 shipments in Europe in 2025.
- In 2025, LPMI expanded its activities to South America, Asia-Pacific and Middle East and Africa, and has introduced the brand in April 2026 in Mexico.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Stellantis and Leapmotor to Expand Leapmotor International
Click for more.
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM) and Leapmotor (Zhejiang Leapmotor Technologies Ltd 9863.HK)* today announced their intention to expand their strategic partnership [Leapmotor International – LMPI- is a 51% Stellantis / 49% Leapmotor joint venture with exclusive rights for the sale and manufacturing of Leapmotor products outside Greater China – AutoCrat.]** with an emphasis on European products and assembly plants and engineering technologies.
“This plan to expand our successful partnership with Leapmotor – a trusted peer and one of the fastest-growing, most respected new energy vehicle producers globally – is a true win-win for both of us. It is expected to support production and advance localization in Europe of world-class manufacturing of electric vehicles at affordable prices to meet customers’ real-world needs. Today’s announcement reflects our intent to deepen our partnership and take one more step towards even greater collaborations in the future,” said Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa.
LMPI Expansion at a Glance
“Leapmotor’s leading-edge technologies, combined with Stellantis’ global reach, deep regional roots and much-loved automotive brands, would make this a uniquely powerful partnership. Our joint venture, Leapmotor International, has quickly shown its benefits for both partners and in less than three years, has seen us launch our brand on five continents and significantly grow our international reach and reputation,” said Zhu Jiangming, Leapmotor founder and CEO.
Both Leapmotor International parties are currently conducting feasibility studies and pre-development work under existing arrangements and are continuing discussions toward potential broader industrial cooperation as noted above, subject to the execution of definitive agreements and customary approvals.
*AutoInformed on
**LMPI
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.