A sensational statement was made last week by the head of the Stellantis automaker, Carlos Tavares.. He confirmed that electric cars of the Leapmotor brand could be registered in Italy if such production is economically feasible.
Automotive News Europe insiders claim that we are talking about localizing the “Chinese” at the FIAT Mirafiori factory in Turin. Currently, the FIAT Mirafiori plant produces the city hatchbacks FIAT 500/500e and Maserati Levante, and sales volumes of the crossover are poor, so its resignation is a matter of time.
According to unofficial data, it is the Chinese Leapmotor that is a candidate for loading the site in Turin. The Stellantis concern plans to produce up to 150 thousand Chinese electric vehicles annually in Italy.
Production of the “Chinese” could begin in 2026 or 2027, and such a plan is very likely, because the Maserati Levante will retire, and its successor will be registered at the Cassino plant. The subcompact FIAT 500 will cease production at the end of 2026, so production capacity will need to be filled with something.
Stellantis CFO Natalie Knight has already called Leapmotor “the 15th brand in the concern’s portfolio.”. Last fall, one and a half billion euros were invested in the startup: the auto giant bought a 21% stake in Leapmotor and created a joint venture with the Chinese side in the Netherlands.
Last year, production at the FIAT Mirafiori factory decreased by 9.3% to 95 thousand units. Maserati Levante's share is about ten percent (less than 9,000 units). At the same time, Stellantis has committed itself to increasing car production in Italy to one million units by the end of the decade: the production of “Chinese” cars will allow this plan to be fulfilled.