Stellantis to Use Leapmotor Tech to Cut Costs for Fiat and Others, Accelerating EV Shift

Stellantis is considering adopting Leapmotor’s electric vehicle platform, battery, and electric drive technologies to reduce R&D costs and enhance the competitiveness of its brands such as Fiat, Opel, and Peugeot. According to Bloomberg, the two companies have already begun collaborating through their joint venture, Leapmotor International, in which Stellantis holds a 15% stake, and have started selling the Leapmotor C10 model in Europe. If the deal is finalized, it would mark the first time a major Western automaker relies on Chinese technology to develop new vehicles for the European market. This move forms part of Stellantis’ broader adjustment of its EV strategy—having already recorded a €22.2 billion impairment charge, scaled back certain battery investments, and resumed production of some internal combustion engine and hybrid models. Facing intense competition and overcapacity in Europe, Stellantis aims to accelerate product iteration by integrating Leapmotor’s efficient, low-cost technologies to better compete against rivals like BYD, Volkswagen, and Renault. Leapmotor vehicles are also slated for localized production at a Stellantis plant in Spain.