{"id":28338,"date":"2026-05-01T12:16:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T12:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/28338\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T12:16:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T12:16:14","slug":"stellantis-ceo-says-leapmotor-evs-arent-hurting-sales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/28338\/","title":{"rendered":"Stellantis CEO Says Leapmotor EVs Aren\u2019t Hurting Sales"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stellantis\u2019 push into the global electric vehicle (EV) space has taken an interesting turn over the past couple of years, especially with its partnership with Chinese automaker Leapmotor. While some skeptics questioned whether bringing a Chinese EV brand into existing Stellantis dealerships could hurt legacy brands, the company\u2019s leadership is making it clear\u2014that\u2019s not what they\u2019re seeing.<\/p>\n

During the Stellantis Q1 2026 Financial Results<\/a> call, CEO Antonio Filosa<\/a> addressed concerns head-on when asked about potential overlap between Leapmotor vehicles and established European brands like Citro\u00ebn, Peugeot, and Opel.<\/p>\n

The Leapmotor Deal Explained
\n\"\"European-Spec Leapmotor B10 REEV. (Leapmotor).<\/p>\n

For Stellantis, the Leapmotor relationship is still relatively new but moving quickly. Back in October 2023, Stellantis invested \u20ac1.5 billion (approximately $1.6 billion USD) to acquire a 20% stake in Leapmotor. At the same time, it formed a joint venture<\/a>\u2014Leapmotor International\u2014with Stellantis holding a 51% controlling interest. That joint venture is responsible for expanding Leapmotor\u2019s footprint outside of China, particularly across Europe.<\/p>\n

And expand it has.<\/p>\n

By early 2026, Leapmotor vehicles will already be being sold through more than 800 sales and service locations across Europe, leveraging Stellantis\u2019 massive dealer network. Models like the subcompact T03<\/a> and the compact C10 SUV are now available alongside traditional Stellantis offerings in key markets such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.<\/p>\n

Rapid Growth Raises Questions
\n\"\"European-Spec Citro\u00ebn \u00eb-C3. (Citro\u00ebn).<\/p>\n

That kind of rapid rollout naturally raises questions\u2014especially from investors\u2014about whether Leapmotor could eat into sales of Stellantis\u2019 own brands.<\/p>\n

Filosa made it clear that it hasn\u2019t happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are obviously monitoring a lot. But in quarter one, Stellantis grew with and without Leapmotor sales. That means that all the brands [like] Fiat, Citro\u00ebn, Peugeot, Opel, among others, have been growing,\u201d Filosa commented. \u201cFiat has been growing a lot in Italy. Citro\u00ebn has been growing a lot in the overall landscape of Europe. Opel has been very strong in accelerating in Q1. So, what we see is general growth of all Stellantis brands in Europe, and also a growth of Leapmotor, [which] registered 24,000 units in Q1.\u201d<\/p>\n

No Signs Of Cannibalization
\n\"\"European-Spec Leapmotor C10 EV. (Leapmotor).<\/p>\n

In other words, Leapmotor isn\u2019t replacing sales\u2014it\u2019s adding to them.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a key distinction. Instead of cannibalizing demand, Stellantis appears to be expanding its reach by offering more variety at different price points and segments. According to Filosa, customer behavior backs that up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we look at the surveys [of cross] shopping, it\u2019s very, very, very limited. So we don\u2019t see, so far, the risk of overlapping,\u201d Filosa stated. \u201cSo we haven\u2019t seen [it] so far. But we don\u2019t see risk of cannibalization, and cross shopping is limited with Leapmotor internationally, versus the other brands of Stellantis.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s about as direct as it gets.<\/p>\n

Why The Strategy Is Working
\n\"\"A new Fiat\/Abarth\/Leapmotor dealer sign at BS Marson & Sons Ltd in the UK. (BS Marson & Sons Ltd<\/a>).<\/p>\n

From a real-world perspective, it makes sense. Leapmotor\u2019s products are positioned differently from many Stellantis vehicles. They\u2019re often priced aggressively and designed to attract first-time EV buyers or customers looking for budget-friendly electrified options. Meanwhile, brands like Peugeot and Opel are continuing to move upmarket with more refined offerings, while Fiat is finding success with small, urban-focused vehicles.<\/p>\n

Another important factor here is infrastructure. By plugging Leapmotor into its existing dealer network, Stellantis avoids the massive cost of building out a separate retail and service system. Customers benefit from established service centers, familiar buying experiences, and easier access to parts and maintenance.<\/p>\n

A Low-Risk Expansion Play
\n\"\"European-Spec Leapmotor T03 EV. (Leapmotor).<\/p>\n

For Stellantis, it\u2019s a low-risk way to test the waters with Chinese EV technology while strengthening its position in Europe\u2019s increasingly competitive EV market.<\/p>\n

So far, the strategy appears to be working.<\/p>\n

Leapmotor is gaining traction, Stellantis\u2019 legacy brands are still growing, and the feared overlap simply hasn\u2019t materialized\u2014at least not yet.<\/p>\n

The Bottom Line
\n\"\"European-Sped Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Edition. (Fiat).<\/p>\n

Of course, this is something Stellantis will continue to watch closely. As the EV market evolves and more models are introduced, the potential for overlap could increase. But based on Q1 2026 results, the company is seeing more upside than downside.<\/p>\n

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