Leapmotor International, the joint venture between Stellantis and Leapmotor, is reportedly exploring the possibility of manufacturing the Leapmotor B10 at its Stellantis plant in Zaragoza, Spain, following uncertainty surrounding production at the Polish plant in Tychy.
Although the initial plan was to build the electric vehicle at the Polish facility, the Polish government’s support for the EU’s special tariffs on China-made EVs has prompted the company to seek alternatives.
While Leapmotor International is majority-owned by Stellantis, with a 51 percent stake, the Chinese partner appears to have considerable influence over critical decisions.
Industry sources, including La Tribuna de Automoción, indicate that economic and industrial feasibility studies are currently being conducted, and suppliers in Spain are being asked for offers to produce components. Other potential production sites include the Stellantis plant in Figueruelas near Zaragoza, Germany’s Eisenach plant, and the Trnava factory in Slovakia.
The decision will likely be made quickly, as the B10 is scheduled for a market launch in the third quarter of 2025, making it crucial to finalize the production location soon. While Poland remains a possibility, the search for alternatives so close to the launch indicates the political factors at play are significantly influencing the decision-making process.
Zaragoza is an attractive option due to its available capacity, as the Stellantis plant there currently builds models such as the Peugeot 208, Opel Corsa, and Lancia Ypsilon. With modernisation work scheduled for 2025, the plant has the potential to accommodate additional production without significant delays.
Moreover, the nearby construction of a 50 GWh battery factory by CATL could support Zaragoza’s appeal. However, challenges remain, as integrating the Leapmotor B10, built on the Leap 3.5 platform, with existing Stellantis platforms could require significant adjustments, especially since the plant currently focuses on small vehicle platforms.
Ultimately, the decision regarding the B10’s production site will come down to balancing production capacities, political influences, and the ability to streamline manufacturing processes, with the aim to meet the ambitious launch schedule.
