Opel confirms its first electric SUV derived from Leapmotor technology for 2028

Stellantis has officially confirmed that Opel will develop an electric SUV based on the technical architecture of the Leapmotor B10, the compact vehicle from the Chinese manufacturer that has been circulating in Europe since 2025. The new model will enter production in 2028 at the Zaragoza plant (Figueruelas), the same location where the Opel Corsa is manufactured.

The announcement closes a cycle in Stellantis' strategy with its Leapmotor alliance, established in 2023 as a joint venture with 51% ownership by the Italian-French group. Until now, that collaboration had resulted in the import and sale of the Leapmotor T03 at European dealerships. This Opel SUV marks the next leap: the integration of Chinese technology under a Western European brand, manufactured on Spanish soil.

Zaragoza as production hub: implications for Spanish industry

The assignment of Zaragoza for this project reinforces Stellantis' commitment to the Spanish plant as a hub for electric production. The factory already produces the electric Corsa on the same line as the petrol model, demonstrating production flexibility. The arrival of a new electric SUV adds workload at a time when the Spanish automotive industry faces critical transitions.

This decision also responds to a broader strategic calculation: manufacturing in Europe mitigates two risks simultaneously. First, it circumvents the additional tariffs that the European Union imposed in October 2024 on electric vehicles of Chinese origin (initially 17.5% in the case of Leapmotor, later expanded). Second, it allows Opel to sell under the banner of a European manufacturer a product with Chinese technological DNA, avoiding potential consumer rejection towards Asian origin.

The LEAP 3.1 platform: what Opel inherits from the B10

The Leapmotor B10 is a B-segment SUV measuring approximately 4.3 metres in length. It features the LEAP 3.1 platform, a modular architecture that integrates the battery, power electronics and inverters into a compact unit. This integration is characteristic of contemporary Chinese engineering: it reduces dead weight, optimizes interior space and lowers manufacturing costs compared to traditional European architectures.

The Opel derivative will inherit that technical foundation but incorporate brand identity: exterior design with Opel's characteristic Vizor, interiors adapted to the brand's visual signature, and European infotainment software. In practice, it will follow the same model that Stellantis already uses with other shared platforms, such as the Peugeot E-208 and Opel Corsa Electric on the STLA Small.

Why Stellantis integrates Chinese technology rather than developing in-house

The decision responds to real economic pressures in the accessible electric segment. Chinese manufacturers have achieved cost curves that traditional European automakers have not yet replicated at equal production volumes. Leapmotor offers Stellantis two immediate advantages: validated technology in series production and speed to market. Developing a platform from scratch would have added years and billions in research and development investment.

This tactic inverts conventional competitive logic. Instead of competing head-on against Chinese brands, Stellantis integrates them into its corporate architecture, leveraging their efficiency and transferring margin to European brands with greater prescriptive power. The inherent risk is technological dependence on a Chinese partner and consumer perception that could arise if that connection is communicated poorly.

Fit within the Opel range and direct rivalry

The new model would position itself in the B-SUV segment, occupying a space between the Opel Mokka and potentially the Grandland, although exact positioning details remain unconfirmed. Its target price is hypothetically situated in the competitive range of models such as the Renault Scenic E-Tech, the Volkswagen ID.3 or the Hyundai Kona Electric, all of them in the price bracket of 35,000 to 45,000 euros before incentives.

This proposal is critical for Opel to meet European regulatory targets. The EU will require that by 2030, 55% of each manufacturer's new registrations be zero direct emissions, and 100% by 2035. Without affordable electric models, meeting this target becomes mathematically impossible for mass-market brands.

Frequently asked questions

Is the vehicle manufactured in China? No. Production is confirmed in Zaragoza from 2028 onwards.

When does it go on sale? Production starts in 2028. The commercial launch would occur subsequently, probably in 2029.

What is Stellantis' relationship with Leapmotor? A joint venture established in 2023 where Stellantis owns 51%. It controls distribution and manufacturing outside China.

Are European tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles applicable to this model? No. Since it will be manufactured in Spain, it is exempt from additional EU tariffs.

Will there be combustion engine versions? For now, the project is exclusively electric.

Sources consulted