Vauxhall has confirmed that it will produce a new car with a Chinese brand as part of an “contemplated expanded partnership”.
Opel-Vauxhall announced shortly before the Stellantis Investor Day 2026 plans to develop a new, all-electric SUV with Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor.
Leapmotor, which also falls under the Stellantis umbrella alongside Vauxhall and Opel, has quickly gained favour with motorists across Europe and the UK.
The new vehicle will be included in the competitive C-segment, with the brands describing the partnership as a “blueprint for efficient global collaboration”.
It will also provide a huge benefit for Vauxhall and Opel, allowing them to electrify and scale their operations in the “shortest possible time”.
While few details of the new vehicle have been released, the C-segment is expected to be on sale as early as 2028.
The new electric car will also expand Vauxhall’s impressive SUV range, which already features the popular Grandland, Frontera and Mokka models.
It will utilise Leapmotor’s electric architecture and battery technology, while Vauxhall will take charge of the design, on-board experience and interior.
Vauxhall could partner with Stellantis sister brand Leapmotor for its new electric SUV
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GETTY
The C-SUV could be developed at Stellantis’ production factory in Zaragoza, Spain, which has produced the iconic Vauxhall Corsa since 1982.
Florian Huettl, CEO of Opel-Vauxhall, said: “The SUV would be designed and created by us at Opel-Vauxhall in Rüsselsheim and developed by international teams located in Germany and China.
“The partnership with Leapmotor should enable a development time of less than two years.
“With this, Opel-Vauxhall is planning a further important step in the development of state-of-the-art and accessible electric vehicles for our customers.”
Vauxhall and Leapmotor teased the development of a new C-segment SUV
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STELLANTIS
The two manufacturers are currently undertaking feasibility studies and pre-development work as part of a proposal that could see Vauxhall and Leapmotor work together in the near future.
Xavier Chéreau, Chairman of the Opel-Vauxhall supervisory board and Stellantis chief human resources and sustainability officer, praised the burgeoning collaboration.
He added: “With this project, Opel-Vauxhall would bring together German engineering excellence with global technological innovation speed.
“This innovative spirit defines the next chapter of our global collaboration with Leapmotor and Opel-Vauxhall is taking on a pioneering role with this project.”
The Leapmotor T03 and Leapmotor C10 are part of the brand’s Leap-Grant
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LEAPMOTORVauxhall remains one of the most popular manufacturers in the UK, with 4.4 per cent of the total market share and 33,729 new sales so far this year.
The Corsa remains one of the UK’s most beloved cars, ranking as the fifth best-selling vehicle this year, with 12,788 total sales, beating the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, Mini Cooper and MG HS.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the UK market, Leapmotor has seen a stunning 1,121 per cent growth in year-on-year sales, with 3,676 new registrations this year.
Leapmotor currently sells three models, the C10, B10 and T03, with the Hangzhou-based brand being the first manufacturer to offer a grant in line with Labour’s Electric Car Grant.