Automotive giant Stellantis is about to make one of the boldest technological transfusions in the modern history of the industry. In an effort to maintain the competitiveness of brands such as Peugeot, Citroen, Opel and Fiat, without investing billions in new platforms, the concern plans to integrate new-generation Chinese hybrid systems into the heart of its European bestsellers.
This technological turn is an answer to the European buyer's biggest fear - dependence on charging infrastructure. The system, known from the Leapmotor C10, combines a 1.5-liter generator with a powerful electric motor (215 hp), providing 145 km of purely electric range and an impressive 970 km of total range. For Stellantis, this is the ideal bridge: customers get the silence and dynamics of an electric car, but with the security of a classic fuel tank.
We will see the first signs of this symbiosis as early as 2026, when Opel will probably present a model closely related to the Chinese Leapmotor B10 crossover. Production will be localized in Spain, which is a clear sign that Stellantis is not just importing technologies, but adapting them to the European industrial DNA.
For fans of traditional brands, this trick may sound startling, but the truth is pragmatic. The integration of Chinese software and hardware into Stellantis platforms is the only way for iconic brands such as Peugeot, Citroen, Opel and Fiat to remain accessible and technological in the era of global transformation. Thus, according to Stellantis experts, the Chinese technology leak to Europe is no longer a threat, but a lifeline.