Will Stellantis partner with Chinese EV maker Leapmotor?
Germany’s Volkswagen is also interested exploring in a potential tie-up that’ll open the door to the world’s largest auto market
23 August 2023 - 17:08
byReuters and Motor News Reporter
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
The Leapmotor S01 electric car.
Picture: JENGTINGCHEN
Multinational carmaker Stellantis is exploring options to partner withChinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Zhejiang Leapmotor as it tries to expand its presence in the world’s largest auto market, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.
Considerations for a tie-up are ongoing and no final decisions have been made, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Global carmakers, including Germany’s Volkswagen, have also expressed interest in a potential tie-up with Leapmotor, which was founded in December 2015 and launched its first product, the Leapmotor S01 electric two-door coupe, in 2019.
Stellantis did not immediately reply to Reuters’ request for comment, while Leapmotor declined to comment.
The Maserati maker’s CEO in July had said Beijing’s decision to restrict exports of two metals widely used in semiconductors and electric vehicles should not push Western companies to reduce their exposure to China.
Stellantis, the parent of brands such as Jeep, Fiat and Peugeot, in July resumed construction of its EV battery plant in Canada, where Volkswagen and a consortium led by Ford are also building multibillion-dollar battery plants.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
NEWS
Will Stellantis partner with Chinese EV maker Leapmotor?
Germany’s Volkswagen is also interested exploring in a potential tie-up that’ll open the door to the world’s largest auto market
Multinational carmaker Stellantis is exploring options to partner with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Zhejiang Leapmotor as it tries to expand its presence in the world’s largest auto market, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.
Considerations for a tie-up are ongoing and no final decisions have been made, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Global carmakers, including Germany’s Volkswagen, have also expressed interest in a potential tie-up with Leapmotor, which was founded in December 2015 and launched its first product, the Leapmotor S01 electric two-door coupe, in 2019.
Stellantis did not immediately reply to Reuters’ request for comment, while Leapmotor declined to comment.
The Maserati maker’s CEO in July had said Beijing’s decision to restrict exports of two metals widely used in semiconductors and electric vehicles should not push Western companies to reduce their exposure to China.
Stellantis, the parent of brands such as Jeep, Fiat and Peugeot, in July resumed construction of its EV battery plant in Canada, where Volkswagen and a consortium led by Ford are also building multibillion-dollar battery plants.
Omoda arrives in SA as Chery’s premium cousin
Festival of Motoring gears up for Kyalami
These were SA’s best selling cars in July
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.