US EditionChina's Hongqi, eyes Stellantis Spain plant for European expansion
The move would give Hongqi its first manufacturing foothold in western Europe and help it launch more than a dozen EV and hybrid models by 2028.
- Chinese luxury automaker Hongqi is in talks with Stellantis to build vehicles at a Spanish plant, a partnership facilitated through Leapmotor that would mark the brand's first manufacturing foothold in western Europe.
- Hongqi, meaning "red flag," targets 1 million annual sales by 2030 with at least 10% outside China and plans to launch more than a dozen electric and hybrid models across Europe by 2028.
- Both state-owned automaker FAW and Stellantis are investors in Leapmotor, which supplies EV platforms to Hongqi and is negotiating to develop an Opel-branded electric SUV for production at Zaragoza.
- The arrangement avoids spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a new factory. "This was the way that Hongqi can start European production quickly," said a source with direct knowledge of the talks.
- While talks remain ongoing and may not lead to a deal, Hongqi has also evaluated Hong Kong as a production location to face fewer export tariffs, though no final decision has been made regarding Spain.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Exclusive: China's Hongqi, once favoured by Mao, eyes Stellantis Spain plant for European expansion
Chinese luxury automaker Hongqi, famed as Mao Zedong's preferred car brand, is in talks with Stellantis to build vehicles at one of the Fiat-to-Jeep owner's Spanish plants as it expands in Europe, five sources familiar with the matter said.
The Chinese manufacturer Hongqi is said to be in talks with Stellantis for production in a factory of the Franco-Italian-American group. The factory in Zaragoza where Leapmotor models are to be assembled is privileged. The Chinese offensive starts again more beautiful: this was the subject of our editorial of 26 April 2026.
The picture of electric mobility is about to change again. Leapmotor, the Chinese company that has gained global visibility thanks to its strategic alliance with Stellantis group, has just announced a movement that few saw coming so soon: the birth of a second automotive firm. This new brand, which will see the light in 2027, has a very clear goal: to leave the terrain of generalist cars to fight in the demanding premium segment. So far, Leapmot…
Outside China it is hardly known, but in his country Hongqi is one of the best valued brands. Hongqi disembarks in Europe: the Chinese luxury brand wants to expand through the Old Continent through local production. The factory of Figueruelas in Zaragoza could become its new home, marking a milestone in the national automotive industry through the Stellantis Group.The situation that Carlos Tavares left at his departure from Stellantis has left t…
China's luxury car manufacturer Hongqi, known as China's former president Mao Zedong's preferred brand, negotiates with the Stellantis automotive group...
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