Opel has officially confirmed plans to jointly develop a new electric compact SUV with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor, marking a further expansion of cooperation within the Stellantis group.
The new Opel model is expected to enter production in 2028 at Stellantis’ Zaragoza plant in Spain alongside the Opel Corsa.
The automaker said the project will form part of a broader collaboration between Stellantis and Leapmotor and is intended to accelerate Opel’s electrification strategy.
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Opel described the upcoming vehicle as a “new C Segment SUV,” placing it in the compact SUV category.
The model is expected to share core technology with the Leapmotor B10, which will begin production at the Zaragoza facility later this year.
The B10 measures 4.51 metres in length and uses Leapmotor’s electric vehicle architecture and battery systems.
According to Opel, the new SUV will adopt key components from Leapmotor, including its latest electric vehicle platform and battery technology.
The Leapmotor B10 currently uses lithium iron phosphate battery packs with capacities of 56.2 kWh and 67.1 kWh. The larger battery supports DC charging at up to 168 kW.
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The B10 offers a maximum WLTP driving range of 434 kilometres and delivers up to 160 kW of power.
“The new vehicle is intended to serve as a blueprint for efficient global collaboration,” Opel said in a statement.
“Simultaneously, it would enable the German manufacturer to take a major strategic step forward in terms of electrification and scaling in the shortest possible time,” the company added.
Florian Huettl, CEO of Opel, said the SUV would be designed at the company’s headquarters in Rüsselsheim while being developed jointly by teams in Germany and China.
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“The partnership with Leapmotor should enable a development time of less than two years,” Huettl said.
“With this, Opel is planning a further important step in the development of state-of-the-art and accessible electric vehicles for our customers,” he added.
Opel said the vehicle would feature the brand’s own design language, chassis tuning, lighting systems, seating technology and user interface despite sharing core engineering with Leapmotor.
The company did not confirm whether the Opel model would retain the minimalist interior layout and large touchscreen design used in the B10.
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Industry reports had previously suggested Opel could become one of the first Stellantis brands in Europe to adopt Leapmotor technology for locally produced electric vehicles.
Similar speculation has also emerged around other Stellantis brands including Fiat and Peugeot, although no additional collaborations have been officially confirmed.
Antonio Filosa is expected to outline the group’s broader strategy during an investor presentation later this month.
According to recent industry reports, Stellantis may increasingly organise development activities around several lead brands, including Jeep and Ram in North America as well as Fiat and Peugeot in Europe.
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“With this project, Opel would bring together German engineering excellence with global technological innovation speed,” Xavier Chéreau, chairman of Opel’s supervisory board and Stellantis chief human resources and sustainability officer, said in a statement.
“This innovative spirit defines the next chapter of our global collaboration with Leapmotor and Opel is taking on a pioneering role with this project,” Chéreau added.
