Chinese cars in Europe

Stellantis expands partnership with Leapmotor: an electric suv by Opel built in Zaragoza planned

Rumours that have been going on for months have been confirmed: the German manufacturer of the European group will be the first to develop a model together with the Chinese brand. It will be an electric C-segment suv and will be produced in Zaragoza from 2028

8 May 2026

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The hypothesis that the Opel badge, Stellantis Group, could go on the bonnet of the Leapmotor has been circulating for many months. Now the final confirmation has arrived, just days before the Stellantis business plan reveal scheduled for 21 May in Detroit

In fact, Opel will be the first Stellantis brand to turn the planned extension of its partnership with the Chinese Leapmotor group into an industrial product. The German carmaker has announced plans to produce a new C-segment SUV in Europe, developed as part of the extended partnership between Stellantis and the Chinese manufacturer, with sales expected as early as 2028. The model would expand Opel's current SUV range, which today consists of the Grandland, Frontera and Mokka.

The new C-Suv would be designed and created by Opel in Rüsselsheim and developed by international teams in Germany and China. The partnership with Leapmotor should allow development time of less than two years, a key element in accelerating time-to-market in a highly competitive and increasingly price-sensitive European segment.

The model would use key components of Leapmotor's latest electric architecture and battery technology, combined with Opel design, on-board experience and chassis tuning developed by the German brand. In this way, Opel aims to combine German engineering and Chinese innovation speed with the goal of making electric vehicles more affordable for European customers.

Production is being planned at the Stellantis plant in Zaragoza, Spain, next to the Opel Corsa. The Figueruelas site has been the historical home of the compact Opel since 1982 and is part of the broader plan to strengthen Stellantis-Leapmotor's industrial presence in Spain, which also includes the arrival of Leapmotor's B10 C-Suv.

"The SUV would be designed and created by us at Opel in Rüsselsheim and developed by international teams in Germany and China," said CEO Florian Huettl, emphasising that the agreement with Leapmotor should allow "a development time of less than two years". For Xavier Chéreau, chairman of Opel's supervisory board and chief human resources & sustainability officer of Stellantis, Opel takes 'a pioneering role' in the new chapter of global collaboration with Leapmotor.

The project remains subject to feasibility studies, final agreements and the usual approvals. But it already marks a clear direction: Opel becomes the European laboratory for industrial cooperation between Stellantis and Leapmotor, with an electric model designed to strengthen value, accessibility and production scale.