by New Opel on a Chinese platform: what is known
Stellantis has found a new way to use its partnership with Chinese automaker Leapmotor, and Opel has been chosen to implement this plan. The German brand has officially announced the launch of a new electric compact crossover based on Leapmotor technologies, confirming previous rumors.
The new model, whose name is not yet known, is expected to appear on the market by 2028, with its development period taking less than two years. The car’s design will be developed in Rüsselsheim, using the latest Opel design language. The first teaser shows a sporty SUV with large wheels, short overhangs, and the signature Opel Vizor grille with integrated LEDs.
According to Opel CEO Florian Hüttl, the new SUV will be “developed by international teams located in Germany and China.” It will use “key components of the latest Leapmotor electric architecture and battery technologies,” with Opel’s contribution limited to design, chassis, lighting, and seat technology.
Production of the new electric vehicle will take place at the Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, Spain, starting in 2028. The same facilities produce the Opel Corsa, Peugeot e-208, Lancia Ypsilon, and Leapmotor B10.
Another Opel SUV?
The new model will expand Opel’s SUV lineup, which already includes the Mokka, Frontera, and Grandland, and will target the highly competitive European C-SUV segment.
Although Stellantis did not provide detailed technical specifications, the new Opel will most likely be based on the Leapmotor B10. This electric SUV has a length of 4,515 mm, placing it between the Frontera and Grandland in terms of dimensions.
The Leapmotor B10 is equipped with a single electric motor producing 215 hp (160 kW) and offers two battery options: 56.2 kWh and 67.1 kWh, providing a range of up to 434 km. A range-extender version with a generator will also be available, increasing the total range to 900 km.
Leapmotor B10
Stellantis has stated that the Leapmotor B10 has undergone “rigorous testing” at the Balocco test track in Italy, which may indicate some differences in the settings of the European version compared to the model sold in China.
Importantly, the Leapmotor B10 costs from €29,900 in the German, French, and Spanish markets, which is €4,000 cheaper than its rival, the Skoda Elroq. Although it is too early to talk about the price of the Opel version, the company promises it will be an “affordable” electric vehicle, adding that the use of Leapmotor components “will significantly increase affordability for European customers.”
The unpleasant truth
Stellantis recently announced plans to cut 650 engineering positions at Opel’s historic headquarters in Rüsselsheim, reducing the technical staff to approximately 1,000 people.
In 2017, this site employed over 7,700 engineers who performed critical R&D work for the PSA Group. Now their scope of work has narrowed to areas such as artificial intelligence, software, ADAS, battery technologies, and digital lighting systems. Although not directly related, the Leapmotor agreement allows Stellantis to significantly reduce R&D costs and the time required to bring a new product to market.
Importantly, the future electric SUV will not be the only Leapmotor-based product from Stellantis brands. According to the company, “the new car is intended to be a model of efficient global collaboration,” which could pave the way for other similar projects in the future.
Joint venture history
Stellantis acquired a 21% stake in Leapmotor in October 2023, becoming the largest shareholder of the Chinese brand. The joint venture LPMI (Leapmotor International) is 51% owned by Stellantis, which has exclusive rights to sell and manufacture Leapmotor products outside of China.
The European launch proved quite successful: Leapmotor delivered 40,000 units in 2025 and started 2026 with 24,751 registrations in the first quarter. In addition to Europe, the LPMI joint venture has expanded its operations to South America, Mexico, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, and Africa.
This move by Stellantis demonstrates a pragmatic approach to global competition in the electric vehicle arena. Instead of investing heavily in in-house development from scratch, the company uses ready-made and proven Chinese technologies, allowing it to bring new models to market faster and more cheaply. For Opel, this means not only expanding its model range but also a gradual transformation from a full-cycle development company into a brand that focuses more on design, marketing, and adapting ready-made solutions. This could become the new normal for European automakers trying to maintain their positions in the face of the rapid growth of the Chinese automotive industry.
