Stellantis and Leapmotor have officially started production of the Leapmotor B10 electric SUV at the Zaragoza plant in Spain, marking a major milestone in their strategic partnership and strengthening their push to make electric vehicles more competitive and accessible across Europe.
The project brings together Stellantis’ manufacturing expertise and established European industrial network with Leapmotor’s electric vehicle technology, supporting a broader strategy to expand affordable electric mobility in the European market.
The Zaragoza facility was selected for its manufacturing capabilities, available production capacity and established track record in automotive manufacturing. The plant already produces the Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208 and Lancia Ypsilon, making it an important part of Stellantis’ European production network.
Adding the Leapmotor B10 to the factory’s lineup represents another step toward integrating electric vehicle technology from a global partner into Europe’s existing industrial infrastructure.
The initiative also aligns with Stellantis’ FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, which emphasizes industrial competitiveness and the company’s ability to adapt its manufacturing operations to the changing automotive market.
“ The electric transition must also be an industrial transition. If our partnership is the strategy, Zaragoza is the proof that we can combine global technology, competitiveness and European industrial capabilities,” said Silvia Vernetti, representing Stellantis.
Stellantis and Leapmotor Strengthen Their European Strategy
For Leapmotor, producing the B10 in Spain is an important step in its international expansion. Europe remains a strategic market for the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer as it seeks to bring its technology closer to customers outside its home market.
Local production could also help the partnership respond more effectively to European market requirements while making use of Stellantis’ industrial capabilities and regional expertise.
“Our roots are in China and our ambition is global. Europe is a strategic part of that ambition, and producing in Zaragoza allows us to bring our technology closer to European markets and customers,” said Jiangming Zhu, founder and president of Leapmotor.
The partnership combines Leapmotor’s technology development with Stellantis’ manufacturing infrastructure, quality standards and international presence. Beyond vehicle assembly, the collaboration reflects a shared effort to strengthen the competitiveness of electric vehicles in Europe.
Zaragoza Becomes a Strategic Hub for Electric Mobility
The start of production also highlights the importance of Spain’s automotive industry in the transition toward electrification.
The official event welcomed a high-level institutional delegation led by Jorge Azcón, president of the Government of Aragon, and Jordi García Brustenga, secretary of state for industry. Their presence underlined the project’s significance for Spanish manufacturing and the region’s ambitions to remain competitive as the automotive sector evolves.
By adding the Leapmotor B10 to its production operations, Zaragoza reinforces its role in a European automotive industry increasingly shaped by electrification, international partnerships and the need for cost-efficient manufacturing.
What the Leapmotor B10 Production Start Means for Europe
The beginning of production in Spain marks a new phase in the Stellantis-Leapmotor partnership, bringing together Chinese electric vehicle technology and European manufacturing capabilities.
For Stellantis, the project expands the use of its industrial network while supporting its broader electric mobility ambitions. For Leapmotor, it provides a manufacturing base within Europe and strengthens its international growth strategy.
The next important factor will be how the partnership translates this industrial cooperation into competitive electric vehicles for European customers. With production now underway in Zaragoza, both companies are taking a significant step toward making their collaboration a more visible part of Europe’s evolving electric vehicle market.
