Opel to Develop New EV SUV on Leapmotor B10 Platform, Cuts 650 Jobs

Stellantis is advancing its partnership with Leapmotor, with Opel set to launch a new all-electric compact SUV based on Leapmotor technology. The model is scheduled to debut in 2028, with a development cycle of less than two years. Its exterior design is led by Opel’s team in Rüsselsheim and follows the brand’s current design language. Preview images reveal a sporty SUV silhouette, large-diameter wheels, short front and rear overhangs, and Opel’s signature Vizor front fascia integrated with a single-piece LED lighting unit. The vehicle will utilize Leapmotor’s latest electric architecture and core battery technologies, while Opel will be responsible for design, chassis engineering, lighting systems, and seat technology. Production will take place at Stellantis’ Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, Spain—the same facility currently manufacturing the Opel Corsa, Peugeot e-208, Lancia Ypsilon, and Leapmotor B10. The new SUV is expected to be based on the Leapmotor B10, which measures 4,515 mm in length and features a 160 kW single motor. It offers two battery options—56.2 kWh and 67.1 kWh—with a maximum CLTC range of 434 km. A range-extended version is also planned, offering up to 900 km of total range. In markets such as Germany, France, and Spain, the Leapmotor B10 starts at €29,900. Opel stated that leveraging Leapmotor components will significantly enhance the new model’s price competitiveness in the European market, describing it as an “affordable” EV. Meanwhile, Stellantis announced plans to cut 650 engineering positions at Opel’s Rüsselsheim headquarters, reducing the local technical workforce to approximately 1,000 employees. The site once employed more than 7,700 engineers in 2017 and played a key role in PSA Group’s R&D activities; today, its focus has shifted to areas including AI, software, advanced driver-assistance systems, battery technology, and digital lighting systems.