Leapmotor is studying moving production of the B10 SUV to Stellantis' plant in Zaragoza

Leapmotor International, the joint venture resulting from the collaboration between Stellantis and Leapmotor, is seriously considering the possibility of producing the B10 SUV at Stellantis’ Spanish plant in Figueruelas (Zaragoza), or at least that is what a recent report suggests. Although no final decision has reportedly been made yet, the Zaragoza plant appears to be one of the most serious candidates.

Initially, production of the Leapmotor B10 SUV was planned to take place at the Polish plant in Tychy. However, the Polish government’s support for the European Union’s imposition of special tariffs on imported Chinese electric vehicles has triggered a last-minute change of plans.

Chinese manufacturers received instructions from their own government not to make investments in those EU countries that favour the introduction of these special tariffs, as is the case with Poland. This situation is leading Leapmotor International to look for an alternative production plant in Europe in record time, given the imminent start of production of the B10 SUV.

Other candidate plants for B10 SUV production

The same media outlets reporting this news also point to other possible destinations for B10 SUV production, such as the German plant in Eisenach or the one in Trnava, Slovakia. In any case, everything seems to indicate that the Spanish plant in Figueruelas, Zaragoza, is currently the best positioned to be chosen. Leapmotor International is reportedly already carrying out economic and industrial feasibility studies, and has even already requested quotes from Spanish suppliers for the production of some B10 components.

Either way, the final decision will be made very soon, since the start of B10 sales in the European market is scheduled for the third quarter of the year. Having ruled out the Polish plant in Tychy for political reasons, the Figueruelas plant appears to be the best positioned. Meanwhile, the chances of the German plant in Eisenach seem to be fading due to its considerably higher production costs compared with the rest.

On the other hand, the fact that the Chinese battery cell supplier CATL is building a new production plant near Stellantis’ Figueruelas plant favours the latter being chosen by Leapmotor International. In addition, the Zaragoza plant is not currently operating at full capacity.

The Leapmotor B10 was presented at the Paris Motor Show last October. This electric SUV is designed for global markets and uses the Leap 3.5 platform.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverLeapmotor B105 versions · from 29,265 €