This Chinese group chose the French plant over the Italian Stellantis plant to produce a new, unknown premium brand.

For several months now, a question has been regularly asked about Stellantis Which Chinese automaker will be the first to use the Group's European plants to produce its electric models locally? After rumors about BYD, Leapmotor and JAC Motors, it's finally Dongfeng that's taking action. What's more, the Chinese group has already made its choice between France and Italy.

In an official press release published on May 20, 2026, Stellantis and Dongfeng announced their intention to create a new European joint venture dedicated to sales, distribution, production, purchasing and engineering activities around the Chinese automaker's electric vehicles. This announcement marks a new stage in the rapprochement between Stellantis and the Chinese automotive groups.

But one detail is attracting particular attention in Italy: the future European production of Chinese premium brand Voyah is set to be located... in Rennes, France, not Cassino.

Voyah: the Chinese premium brand still unknown in Europe

The Voyah name is still largely unknown to the general public in Europe, but the brand represents one of Dongfeng's most ambitious projects. Created in 2019, Voyah is the premium electric division of Chinese giant Dongfeng Motor. The brand specializes in high-end electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, with premium SUVs, sedans and MPVs designed to compete with European and American manufacturers in the field of technological luxury.

Voyah already has several models on the Chinese market, including the Free SUV, the Passion sedan and the Dreamer MPV. The brand also benefits from a technological partnership with Huawei for the development of intelligent on-board systems. Another interesting element: the design of the first Voyah models was co-developed with Italdesign. Following launches in Norway, Israel, Spain and Italy in 2024, Dongfeng is now aiming to step up the pace of its European expansion. And to achieve this, local production is becoming almost indispensable.

Rennes rather than Cassino

This is probably the most important piece of information in this announcement. In its press release, Stellantis states that the two groups «are also considering the potential production of Dongfeng NEV vehicles at the Rennes plant in France, in line with European regulations and Made in Europe requirements». In other words, Dongfeng has chosen Rennes to assemble its future premium electric models for Europe.

This choice closes, at least temporarily, the door on the Italian plant in Cassino, which has been regularly mentioned in recent weeks in discussions concerning Stellantis' Chinese partnerships. Seen from Italy, the decision is bound to provoke a reaction. The Cassino plant is currently going through a very difficult period, with extremely low volumes for the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Maserati Grecale. For months, Italian trade unions have been calling for a genuine industrial plan to revive the site.

According to several recent reports in the Italian press, Dongfeng was one of the Chinese groups interested in the unused capacity at Cassino. In the end, however, Stellantis and Dongfeng opted for Rennes, which is also largely under-utilized.

Stellantis further steps up its Chinese alliances

Above all, this announcement confirms a fundamental trend: Stellantis is now building more and more bridges with Chinese automakers. After the partnership with Leapmotor in Spain, discussions with BYD and rumours linking JAC Motors and Maserati, the agreement with Dongfeng shows that the group headed by Antonio Filosa is now fully embracing this strategy.

The automotive group seems to have chosen a very pragmatic approach: use Chinese electric technologies, fill its under-utilized European factories and offer more competitive models in the face of global competition. In the official press release, Antonio Filosa speaks of «a new dimension» in cooperation with Dongfeng. For his part, Dongfeng Chairman Qing Yang speaks of an acceleration in the Chinese group's international expansion.