<div id="readability-page-1"><blockquote><ul><li>Stellantis is in talks to give Dongfeng access to underused European factories.</li><li>The potential deal adds to Stellantis's expanding network of Chinese partners including Leapmotor.</li></ul></blockquote><figure id="attachment_139387"><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026041512011283.jpg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1600" height="900" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026041512011283.jpg"/><figcaption id="caption-attachment-139387">(A Dongfeng M-Hero model on display at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2025. Image credit: CnEVPost)</figcaption></figure><p>Stellantis NV is discussing reviving a partnership with Dongfeng Motor that would involve joint car production in Europe and China, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.</p><p>The two companies are in talks about giving Dongfeng access to some of Stellantis's underused factories in Europe, while Dongfeng may in turn make cars from selected Stellantis brands in China, according to the report.</p><p>Representatives for the Chinese state-owned manufacturer recently visited plants in Germany and Italy, and the deliberations include Dongfeng possibly acquiring or investing in one or more European factories at a later stage, some of the people said.</p>    <div>        <p><span>Join us on </span>            Telegram            <span> or </span>            Google News        </p>    </div><p>The talks are part of a broader push by Stellantis to bolster its business. The company is grappling with intensifying competition from rivals such as Volkswagen AG and BYD.</p><p>Stellantis executives previously met with Xiaomi and Xpeng to discuss overhaul options, Bloomberg reported last month.</p><p>Bringing in a manufacturing partner in Europe could help reduce costs and improve plant utilization. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers are looking for local production to sidestep European Union tariffs.</p><p>Stellantis operates dozens of factories in the region, some of which are underutilized. Chinese automakers, meanwhile, are seeking local production in the EU, Bloomberg noted.</p><p>Closer cooperation with Dongfeng would rekindle a partnership that began in the early 1990s.</p><p>PSA Group, the predecessor to Stellantis, formed a joint venture with the Chinese company to access the market. In recent years, however, sales and output have shrunk dramatically due to rising competition.</p><p>Stellantis has also been expanding its alliances with other Chinese EV makers. The company is currently in advanced talks with Leapmotor to jointly develop an Opel electric SUV, according to a Reuters report last week.</p><p>The new Opel model will use Leapmotor's technology and be produced at Stellantis's Zaragoza plant. Production of the model is expected to officially start in 2028, with a target of 50,000 vehicles a year, according to Reuters.</p><p>Stellantis invested 1.5 billion euros ($1.77 billion) in Leapmotor in 2023, becoming its largest outside shareholder.</p>    <div>        <div>            <p><img width="768" height="432" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026040205273968-768x432.jpg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026040205273968-768x432.jpg"/>                            </p>        </div>        <div>            <p>Stellantis weighs producing Leapmotor EVs at idled Canada plant, report says</p>            <p>Stellantis is exploring an early-stage plan with Leapmotor to produce EVs at an idled Canadian plant.</p>                    </div>    </div>    <p>($1 = 0.8487 euros)</p>                                                                                </div>

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<p>Stellantis is in discussions with Dongfeng to allow access to its underused European factories for joint car production in Europe and China. This potential partnership aims to enhance Stellantis's operations amid rising competition from companies like Volkswagen and BYD. The collaboration could help reduce costs and improve factory utilization, while also enabling Dongfeng to sidestep EU tariffs. Stellantis has been expanding its network of Chinese partners, including Leapmotor, with plans for joint electric vehicle production.</p>

- Stellantis is negotiating with Dongfeng Motor to enable access to its underused factories in Europe for joint car production in both Europe and China.  
- The discussions aim to enhance Stellantis's competitiveness against rivals and address underutilization of its European plants, while allowing Dongfeng to sidestep EU tariffs with local production.  
- Additionally, Stellantis is pursuing partnerships with other Chinese EV makers, including ongoing talks with Leapmotor for a new Opel electric SUV model set to begin production in 2028.

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Stellantis weighs Dongfeng partnership for Europe and China production, report says