For several months now, Stellantis is quietly preparing its return to the affordable microcar segment. The group has already confirmed the development of two electric models as part of the E-Car program: a new Citroën 2CV and a future Fiat Panda, expected by 2028 and to be produced in Pomigliano d’Arco, Italy. While nothing is known about the future models, a new possibility is now emerging: what if these two models were based on technology developed by the Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor?
A hypothesis that is gaining traction
During a roundtable discussion held in Germany, Tianshu Xin, CEO of Leapmotor International (a company 51% owned by Stellantis), was asked about the possibility of the Chinese automaker’s technology being used in Stellantis’s future electric car. His response was cautious, but particularly revealing.
According to him, this solution is one of «the opportunities currently being explored.» Without officially confirming the project, the executive acknowledged that discussions were underway and that it is now essential for automakers to work with the right partners in order to improve efficiency. This statement comes as Stellantis is still searching for the ideal technical platform for its future electric city cars priced at around 15,000 euros.
The Leapmotor T03 as a starting point?
The idea isn't absurd at all. Today, the Leapmotor T03 is already on sale in Europe and is produced at the Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland. This small 3.6-meter electric city car starts at 16,900 euros in several European markets.
Most importantly, Leapmotor is already working on a second generation of the T03. According to our research across several Chinese media outlets, this new version will feature significant improvements in design, interior quality, and onboard software, with a particular focus on the expectations of European customers. Also according to these Chinese media outlets, the target is clear: the Dacia Spring, Renault Twingo, and Volkswagen ID.1.
It would make sense for Stellantis to build on this existing technical platform—which is expected to be updated soon—rather than develop an entirely new architecture for a segment where margins are particularly low.
Two E-Car models manufactured in Pomigliano d'Arco
One thing is certain: the future Citroën 2CV and Fiat Panda will be assembled in Pomigliano d’Arco, the Italian plant that currently produces the current Fiat Panda and the Alfa Romeo Tonale, among other models. A smart way to keep the plant busy, given that the Fiat Panda is nearing the end of its production run and that Production of the Alfa Romeo Tonale is scheduled to end in late 2027.
The E-Car project is part of the future European M1E category, inspired by Japanese kei cars. The goal is to enable manufacturers to offer electric vehicles that are simpler, lighter, and, above all, much cheaper than current models. Stellantis is clearly aiming for an entry-level price of around €15,000, a threshold that has become nearly impossible to reach with traditional European electric platforms. Using Leapmotor technology could therefore be a particularly attractive solution for delivering on this price promise. However, to go from the €16,900 price tag of the Leapmotor T03 produced in Poland to a price below €15,000 for a car produced in Italy, this will certainly require European subsidies.
A Panda… or a Fiat Koala?
Fiat might keep the name Panda… or change it. Several signs suggest that the model might ultimately adopt a different name. Among the possibilities mentioned is Fiat Koala, a trademark recently registered by Fiat.
If this option were chosen, the Fiat lineup could become particularly extensive, featuring a Fiat Panda/Koala (E-CAR, A-segment), a Fiat Grande Panda (B-segment), and the new Fiat Grizzly (C-segment). It should be noted that the Fiat 500 will indeed be updated (first with a new battery in 2027, then a new model by 2030), but the future of the Fiat 600 is uncertain.
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