Stellantis is reportedly in advanced discussions with Leapmotor to co-develop a new electric SUV under the Opel brand, leveraging Leapmotor’s compact SUV technology. According to sources cited by Reuters, the model—internally referred to as O3U—will share the platform used by Leapmotor’s B10 compact SUV. Production is planned at Stellantis’ Zaragoza plant in Spain, with official assembly of the Opel variant slated to begin in 2028 and an annual output target of 50,000 vehicles.
Under the proposed agreement, Leapmotor would supply core electric vehicle technologies and key components, including electronic and electrical systems, while Opel would take responsibility for designing the vehicle’s exterior. A significant portion of research and development work is expected to be carried out in China. Talks on the project began in late 2025, and a formal deal could be finalized as early as this month.
Sources indicate that Stellantis is also exploring development of an Alfa Romeo model on the same architecture at Zaragoza, aiming to optimize factory capacity. Beyond the Opel SUV, the two companies have discussed other models based on Leapmotor’s architecture, including smaller A-segment cars that would require a separate production line.
This collaboration builds on Stellantis’ 1.5 billion-euro investment in Leapmotor in October 2023, through which Stellantis acquired roughly 20 percent of the Chinese EV maker and became its largest external shareholder. Since then, Leapmotor has expanded into numerous international markets by leveraging Stellantis’ sales network.
Separately, Stellantis is weighing an early-stage plan to manufacture Leapmotor vehicles at an idle factory in Brampton, Ontario. If realized, this move would represent the first major strategic investment by Chinese capital in the Canadian auto sector since Canada agreed to exempt up to 49,000 Chinese-made EVs annually from a 100 percent tariff, reducing it to the 6.1 percent most-favored-nation rate.
Leapmotor delivered nearly 600,000 vehicles in 2025, generated 15 billion yuan in revenue, and achieved its first full-year profit. The company has set a 2026 delivery goal of one million vehicles and plans to introduce four new models this year. Leapmotor also opened its first overseas innovation center in Munich to lead design and R&D efforts.
Source: CNEV Post
