Leapmotor（零跑汽车）has begun production of its B10 electric SUV at Stellantis’ Zaragoza plant in Spain, extending its European business from vehicle sales into local manufacturing through an established automaker’s industrial network.
Leapmotor International confirmed the start of production on October 12 at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. The Spanish operation will supply European customers, drawing on Stellantis’ manufacturing expertise and existing industrial footprint. The announcement did not disclose initial production volumes or the proportion of locally sourced components.
The project builds on a partnership that combines Leapmotor’s vehicle technology with Stellantis’ manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Stellantis invested approximately €1.5 billion to acquire around 21% of Leapmotor in 2023. The partners completed the formation of Leapmotor International in May 2024, with Stellantis holding 51% and Leapmotor 49%. The joint venture has exclusive rights to export, sell and manufacture Leapmotor products outside Greater China.
The Spanish production launch also follows plans announced in May to expand the industrial relationship. Those proposals included adding an electric Opel and Vauxhall C-SUV alongside the B10 in Zaragoza, expanding joint purchasing and allocating future Leapmotor products to Stellantis’ Villaverde plant in Madrid. These remain separate initiatives with their own implementation requirements.
At the Paris show, Leapmotor also presented the B03 urban hatchback and D19 flagship SUV, broadening the product range supporting its European ambitions. Local production gives the company another means of serving that market alongside its sales and service network.
For Leapmotor, using an existing factory can reduce the need to establish an entire manufacturing operation independently. It also brings production closer to customers and connects the brand to European industrial employment and supplier relationships. Commercial performance will depend on production costs, quality, capacity utilization and the pace of customer demand.
The arrangement carries a structural trade-off. Leapmotor gains access to an incumbent’s factories and channels through a joint venture controlled by its partner, making coordination over investment, product allocation and distribution central to its overseas business.
The B10 launch demonstrates how Chinese automakers can enter European manufacturing through industrial partnerships. Its longer-term significance will depend on whether shared production and distribution translate into sustained sales and profitable local operations.
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