Joint Venture Will Be Established Between Stellantis and Leapmotor in the Netherlands
The agreement between Stellantis and Leapmotor includes the establishment of a joint venture company in the Netherlands. This company will own a controlling stake in Stellantis and have the right to produce and sell Leapmotor's electric vehicles in markets outside China. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said he expects Leapmotor's electric vehicles to come to Europe within two years at the latest. Tavares stated that these vehicles can also be produced in Stellantis' factories around the world, including America.
Stellantis Aims to Produce Affordable Electric Vehicles
By partnering with Leapmotor, Stellantis aims to benefit from both China's electric vehicle supply chain and Leapmotor's technology. Thus, Stellantis will be able to produce more affordable electric vehicles and increase its competitiveness in the global electric vehicle transformation. This strategic move fits with the trend of major auto companies to cooperate with Chinese electric vehicle companies and shows the importance of China in this field.
Ford and Volkswagen Partnership Also Focuses on Electric Vehicles
Stellantis' partnership with Leapmotor is also reminiscent of the commercial partnership between Ford and Volkswagen. These two automotive giants will collaborate on electric vehicles and use Volkswagen's MEB platform in Ford's light commercial vehicles. Likewise, Ford's Ranger platform will also be featured in Volkswagen's Amarok model. Both of these models will be produced at the Silverton factory in South Africa.
Stellantis' partnership with Leapmotor can be seen as the beginning of a new era in the automotive industry. Thanks to this partnership, Stellantis will be able to enter the Chinese market more strongly and offer affordable electric vehicles worldwide.