A Chinese EV Is Now Built in Europe, and More Are on the Way

Leapmotor has begun producing the B10 in Spain, and the B05 is slated to follow in early 2027.

Leapmotor earlier assembled the T03 in Poland from kits made in China, but that work ended in March 2025.

Chinese carmakers are widening their production footprint in Europe by working with local partners, using existing plants and building new ones.

Chinese manufacturers don't always have to build their own factories to start making cars in Europe. Sometimes a European carmaker has spare room and is willing to share it. That is the situation in Spain, where Stellantis has started building the Leapmotor B10 electric crossover and is getting ready to add another model.

Production of the B10 officially got underway at Stellantis' Zaragoza plant on October 16. This delivers on Leapmotor's Spanish production plans announced earlier this year and gives the Chinese brand a manufacturing base in a major overseas market and, through that, across the entire European Union. Stellantis says it picked the site for its available capacity, manufacturing know-how and quality.

The B05 electric hatchback is next in line for production at Zaragoza. Leapmotor confirmed the production allocation yesterday but did not give a start date. Spanish news agency EFE reports a launch in the first quarter of 2027.

This is not Leapmotor's first attempt at European production. The tiny T03, which impressed us with its value and driving manners, was earlier assembled at Stellantis' Tychy factory in Poland. That operation began in 2024 and used semi-knocked-down kits shipped from China.

Stellantis holds 51% of its joint venture with Leapmotor, which gives it the right to manufacture and sell the vehicles outside China. The Polish T03 project was short-lived, however, and Stellantis ended T03 assembly on March 30, 2025, without explaining why.

Leapmotor is far from the only Chinese carmaker aiming to set up manufacturing in Europe. BYD is building its own massive factory in Hungary, while Xpeng has turned to contract manufacturer Magna in Austria. GAC has followed Xpeng's lead, bringing new work to a plant that previously assembled the Fisker Ocean.

Existing factories can also offer a way back into production once their former occupants leave. Chery has partnered with Ebro to use Nissan's former Barcelona plant. Audi's shuttered Brussels factory shows, though, that such possibilities should not be mistaken for completed deals. Nio reportedly wanted to take it over, although its CEO denied the plans, and in September a property company was announced as the buyer.

European carmakers now face a tricky choice as Chinese expansion grows: compete with these brands, build their cars, or do both. Stellantis has chosen the third option. At Zaragoza, the growth of a Chinese competitor is also keeping the factory busy.