The decision To manufacture a new Opel electric SUV in Zaragoza, supported by Leapmotor technology. This marks a turning point for the Figueruelas plant and for Stellantis' electrification strategy in Europe. The model, slated for 2028, will compete in the competitive compact SUV segment and strengthen Spain's industrial presence within the automotive group.
This project is part of the expansion of the alliance between Stellantis and the Chinese company Leapmotor, which seeks develop more affordable electric cars in less time than usual in the European automotive industry. The combination of German engineering, Chinese technology, and production in Aragon aims to respond to the growing competitive pressure from the Asian manufacturers in Europe already the demands of the energy transition on the continent.
A new electric C-segment SUV for Europe
The future Opel model will be a 100% electric SUV in the C segmentThis is one of the most competitive segments in the European market, where vehicles like the Peugeot 3008, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage compete. Within the Peugeot lineup, this SUV will be positioned between the Frontera and the Grandland, sharing retail space with other SUVs such as the Mokka, expanding the electric offering without directly replacing them.
According to plans announced by Stellantis and Opel, the Market launch is expected around 2028Production will take place at the Figueruelas plant, where the model will share an assembly line with the Leapmotor B10, an electric SUV in the same segment whose production will start earlier, presumably at the end of this year.
Corporate statements indicate that the new Opel will have a clear focus: to be a 100% electric option at a more affordable price than the traditional electric vehicles in the segment, taking advantage of the cost reduction which provides Leapmotor technology. All this without sacrificing the distinctive features of the German brand in design, dynamic performance, or aspects such as lighting and seating.
In terms of positioning, the model aims to compete head-to-head with the electric compact SUVs that are entering the market, but with the added advantage of assembled in Spain with high European content, something relevant to comply with regulatory and public aid requirements in the European Union.
Although neither the brand name nor the full technical specifications have been revealed yet, the company has made it clear that it will be a specific development by Opeland not a simple cosmetic adaptation of the Leapmotor B10, despite sharing a technological base.
German engineering and Chinese technology: what the project will be like
The key to the project lies in the combination of European design and tuning with a platform and electrical components of Chinese origin.The future SUV will utilize Leapmotor's electric architecture and much of its battery technology and electronics, while the exterior design, interior, chassis tuning and driving experience will be developed under Opel's leadership.
The vehicle will be conceived and designed at the Opel technical center in RüsselsheimThe brand's historic German headquarters, with the support of international teams spread between Germany and China. Stellantis and Opel insist that the car will maintain a distinctly Opel DNA, both in its appearance and driving feel, despite relying on a shared technical platform with Leapmotor.
In practice, this approach will allow drastically shorten development timesWhile a completely new model usually takes between four and five years to reach the market in the traditional European industry, the collaboration with Leapmotor sets the goal at less than two years from the start of the project to its industrial launch.
This reduction in time is due to Leapmotor's contribution existing platforms, integrated electronic systems and battery solutions ready to adapt, which avoids starting from scratch. StellantisFor its part, it is responsible for integration into its European industrial ecosystem, safety, homologation and adapting the product to the tastes and regulations of the European market.
The result will be a car with a "mixed DNA": Chinese basic technology and European brand characterFor Stellantis, this is a large-scale trial of a new model of industrial cooperation, which could be extended to other projects if its technical and commercial viability is confirmed.
Figueruelas, a central piece in Opel's electrification
The Figueruelas plant carries more than four decades linked to OpelSince beginning operations in 1982 with the Corsa, the Aragonese factory has become one of the group's major industrial hubs in Southern Europe. Currently, in addition to the Corsa, it produces models such as the Peugeot 208 and the Lancia Ypsilon, in various combustion, hybrid, and electric versions.
In recent years, the facility has begun a gradual transition towards electric mobilityThe arrival of Leapmotor reinforces this shift: Figueruelas will assemble the Chinese brand's B10 SUV And later, Opel's new electric SUV based on its technology. Looking ahead, other electric and hybrid models are also planned, supported by platforms such as STLA Small, Stellantis's architecture for small electrified cars.
The industrial plans include major adaptation works on line 2 of the factoryThese changes, which have been underway in recent months, are preparing the facilities for Leapmotor's new models. They affect internal logistics, the assembly line configuration, and quality control areas, among other technical aspects necessary for integrating new platforms and electrical systems.
The Zaragoza factory, which has produced over 450.000 units annually in its best years, aims to achieve this with these contracts. recover high production volumes This comes amid slowing demand in some European markets. Regional authorities have emphasized that, with the new projects, the plant could approach or even surpass its historical records in the coming years.
Furthermore, the location of Figueruelas is reinforced by the proximity of the battery gigafactory CATL and Stellantis are building a new facility next to the plant, a key installation to ensure the supply of battery cells and reduce dependence on imports. Opel's new SUV could be one of the first models from the Zaragoza plant to benefit from batteries produced just a few kilometers from the assembly line.
The Stellantis-Leapmotor alliance and its impact in Spain
The decision to allocate this electric SUV to Zaragoza cannot be understood without the broader framework of the strategic partnership between Stellantis and LeapmotorAt the end of 2023, both companies created the joint venture Leapmotor International (LPMI), owned 51% by Stellantis and 49% by the Chinese firm, with the aim of marketing and producing Leapmotor models outside of China.
As part of that strategy, Stellantis has announced a reinforcement of its commitment to Spanish plants. Figueruelas will take over the new Opel SUV and the Leapmotor B10, while the Villaverde factory (Madrid) will produce models of the Chinese brand, starting with the Leapmotor B05 and other future electric vehicles destined for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The European group seeks to leverage Leapmotor's strengths in the control of battery technology and speed of development of electric cars to launch a large-scale range of models with more competitive prices. In return, the Chinese firm benefits from Stellantis' global industrial and commercial reach, as well as its network of established brands in Western markets.
In the specific case of Spain, the alliance translates into new workloads and greater industrial stability For the plants involved, Villaverde, whose continued operation had been uncertain due to the lack of confirmed new models, secures its future by becoming the European production base for several Leapmotor models. Figueruelas, meanwhile, consolidates its position as an industrial bridge between Europe and China.
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa himself has emphasized that the expansion of the collaboration with Leapmotor This will allow the company to manufacture "world-class" electric vehicles at affordable prices, aligning with the real needs of European customers. Zhu Jiangming, founder of Leapmotor, emphasized that the alliance has enabled the company to quickly expand its presence to all five continents and strengthen its international reputation.
A more affordable electric vehicle: price range and positioning
Although there is no official figure yet, internal estimates place the The price of Opel's new electric SUV is between 30.000 and 35.000 euros. Before subsidies, depending on the battery and equipment. This range aims to position it in the "accessible" segment of the compact electric vehicle market, taking advantage of the lower industrial and technological costs resulting from the use of the Leapmotor platform.
Stellantis has reiterated on several occasions concepts such as "accessibility" and "price competitiveness" When referring to the project, it was made clear that one of the main objectives is to ensure this model is not reserved for a niche of high-income customers. Public subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles in various European countries, including Spain, could contribute to further reducing the final price for the buyer.
Besides the price, the car will rely on other arguments: manufactured in Spain under the “made in Europe” umbrellaIntegration into the Opel and Stellantis sales network, and a design tailored to European customer tastes. The group's intention is for the model to compete not only on cost, but also on brand image and perceived quality.
In parallel, the project fits into a broader trend within the industry: cooperation between European manufacturers and Asian technology companies To counter the flood of new electric vehicles from China, the Opel SUV produced in Zaragoza serves almost as a testing ground for how these types of hybrid projects can be structured without diluting the identity of European brands.
If the model is well received, it is possible that, over time, expand the collaboration to other segments or variantsincluding, in the future, versions with technologies such as range extension (REEV) systems, already present in some Leapmotor models, although for now the project is planned as 100% electric.
With all this industrial and technological movement, Zaragoza consolidates its position as one of the epicenters of Stellantis's electricity strategy in EuropeCombining Opel's long-standing manufacturing experience with the arrival of new partners and projects, the decision to locate the first major joint Opel-Leapmotor model in Figueruelas places the Aragonese plant at the heart of the transition to affordable electric vehicles in the European market.
