Stellantis and Leapmotor to Produce New EV SUV via LPMI JV in Europe
STLA•Stellantis will expand its joint venture with Leapmotor to co-develop and produce a new electric SUV for the European market through the Stellantis-led Leapmotor International JV. The agreement leverages Stellantis’s European manufacturing capacity and Leapmotor’s EV technology to boost regional production and accelerate the rollout of Chinese-designed models.
1. Strategic Partnership Expansion
Stellantis and Leapmotor have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership by broadening the scope of their Stellantis-led joint venture, Leapmotor International (LPMI). The expanded alliance will focus on co-development of a new electric SUV model specifically engineered for European consumer preferences and regulatory standards.
2. Joint Venture Structure
The LPMI JV was established following Stellantis’s minority equity investment in Leapmotor, combining Stellantis’s global manufacturing expertise with Leapmotor’s electric powertrain and software capabilities. Governance of the JV remains split, with shared decision-making on vehicle design, engineering and marketing strategies.
3. Manufacturing Cooperation
Under the renewed agreement, the new EV SUV will be built at Stellantis’s European production facilities, utilizing existing assembly lines to optimize cost and scale. This move aims to increase annual EV output in Europe and accelerate the introduction of Leapmotor-branded models to address rising regional demand.
