Stellantis is betting on partnerships with Chinese automakers Leapmotor and Dongfeng to repurpose underused production capacity in Europe, a strategy that contrasts sharply with rival Volkswagen’s decision to shutter four of its own factories. The move signals a shift toward leveraging international collaborations to sustain manufacturing output amid declining demand in key markets. With new models set to enter production, the company aims to avoid excess capacity while expanding its global footprint. The contrast with Volkswagen’s aggressive downsizing highlights diverging approaches to navigating the automotive industry’s evolving challenges.
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa says Leapmotor and Dongfeng models, and new products will fill idle European plants, even as rival VW moves to close four factories.
