Alexandre
It was a rumor just a month ago, but now it's confirmed. Stellantis to produce Leapmotor cars in Europe. But, contrary to expectations, it won't be Mirafiori but another Group plant that has been chosen.
As a reminder, last year, Stellantis bought 21 % from Leapmotora $1.6 billion maneuver offering the European company an opportunity in the Chinese market, the world's largest in terms of automobile sales. The joint venture thus created, approved this month by a Chinese regulatory authorityThe agreement gives Stellantis exclusive rights to produce, export and sell Leapmotor vehicles outside China.
Sources close to the case told Reuters that this production will take place at the Tychy plant in Poland, which, as you know, currently produces the 500 thermal, Jeep Avenger, Fiat 600 and future Alfa Romeo Milano.
The Tychy plant, chosen as part of a joint venture agreement signed last year between Stellantis and Leapmotor, is set to be the first of its kind in Europe. start production of the T03 small electric car before the end of June. Using the semi-knocked down (SKD) technique, the Tychy plant will assemble pre-assembled kits. This method promises not only to optimize production costs, but also to make T03 accessible to a wider range of customers, according to internal sources.
Although official details remain under wraps, the ambition behind this maneuver is clear: Stellantis aims to strengthen its presence in the low-cost electric vehicle market in EuropeThe T03 from Leapmotor will be in direct competition with models such as Renault's Dacia Spring and BYD's Seagull. With a claimed range of 280 kilometers and a starting price of around 20,000 euros, Leapmotor's T03 could also be eligible for subsidized purchase.
This announcement would be in line with recent statements by Carlos Tavares, who did not want to produce Chinese cars in Italy. On the other hand, it suggests that with production of the T03 scheduled for the end of June, production of the 500 thermo could well be moved to Mirafiori.
Oh the beautiful Leapmotor TO3!
Stellantis doesn't know that there's a better cheap car from Fiat, the Panda that became the Pandina.
Offering Chinese cars for a Franco-Italian-American group is just one more mistake.
We're walking on our heads! These bosses and politicians are irresponsible!
China is going to crush us, they have only one objective, the domination of their model.
Astonishing.
Well, it's "good" news, isn't it? I'd rather have a Chinese car made in Poland than in Italy, and to see Italian cars going abroad... We can hope for a relocation of Italian models.
Perhaps this means that the "old" 500 combustion engine will be moved to Mirafiori. This would mean abandoning the project for a "new" 500 adapted to combustion... so not good news on that front either...
I don't think so. The Mirafiori plant is amply dimensioned to receive the equipment needed to mount thermal blocks on the new 500... The 2007 plant will probably have to be abandoned.
If, in return, they think that the Chinese will finally decide to buy Alfa and Maserati cars to thank them, they've got another thing coming. The Chinese swear by the German trio and Porsche!
The famous trio has been taking a nasty slap in the face for a few years now from Lexus and other Chinese brands, even Porsche, because they find European cars has-been. VAG Group had to send a whole delegation and politicians to China last year to bemoan the fact that their cars were no longer popular with customers. Believing that people see through the German trio is a myth established by French journalists, especially when we know the disastrous reliability of German cars!
We like to open Pandora's box...