Overview
- Stellantis and Opel‑Vauxhall confirmed a new C‑segment electric SUV that targets an on‑sale date around 2028 using Leapmotor’s underpinnings.
- The SUV will use Leapmotor’s EV platform and battery tech while Opel‑Vauxhall leads exterior design, interior, and user experience with teams in Germany and China.
- Stellantis expects to build the model in Zaragoza, Spain, a localization that also brings Leapmotor’s B10 to the plant to meet EU content rules and avoid import duties on China‑built cars.
- Opel plans to cut about 650 engineering jobs in Rüsselsheim by 2027 as part of a restructuring tied to faster, lower‑cost EV development and localized production.
- The partners are expanding their joint venture to include shared purchasing and potential control of Madrid’s Villaverde plant, reflecting a broader European reset as Porsche trims more than 500 jobs and Renault pauses new Spain allocations.