The automotive industry in Aragon is facing a period of profound change with the arrival of Leap motor at the Stellantis plant in FigueruelasWhat had been whispered about in the industry for months has finally been confirmed. The Chinese company will assemble up to four electric car models in Zaragoza, primarily intended for the European marketconsolidating the Aragonese factory as one of the key centers of electrification in southern Europe.
The agreement places Figueruelas in a key position within the joint strategy of Stellantis and Leapmotor. This is achieved through an industrial plan that includes significant production volumes and new investments in the supply chain. Beyond the media attention, the project represents New models, more workload and jobs linked to electric vehicles, in a context marked by the energy transition and the demanding European regulations on emissions.
Four Chinese electric models with an Aragonese accent…
As confirmed by the company itself, Stellantis Figueruelas will produce up to four electric models under the Leapmotor brand.SUVs B10 y B05and the compacts A10 y A05All of them will be assembled at the Zaragoza factory in a progressive manner, adapting production to the pace of growth in demand in Europe.
El The first model to enter the assembly line will be the B10, an electric SUV that will be mass-produced starting in fourth quarter of 2026The initial forecast is for approximately 40.000 units per year This model alone will be produced during the first full year, with room to increase volume if the market response is positive. Various sources within the project indicate that, with the phased introduction of the remaining vehicles, this figure could double in a relatively short time.
Starting in 2027, the Aragonese plant will gradually incorporate the rest of the assigned range. The next one on the list will be the B05, another electric SUV related to the B10, of which few details have been revealed but which is presented as a compact model with a differentiated design and Technical characteristics similar to the B10, including a similar electric propulsion system and a clearly urban and peri-urban focus.
More models will be added later A10 and A05These models, which fall within Leapmotor's entry-level range, aim to position themselves in the segment of the most affordable electric city cars. Both are part of the brand's strategy to Gain a foothold in Europe with affordable vehicleswithout sacrificing a high level of technological equipment.
A10 and A05: electric access routes designed for the European city…
El Leapmotor A10 is defined as a B-segment compact urban SUVDesigned for easy maneuverability in urban and metropolitan environments, this vehicle measures approximately 4,2 meters long, 1,8 meters wide, and 1,6 meters high, with a wheelbase exceeding 2,6 meters, aiming to strike a good balance between compact size and efficient use of interior space. Its technical specifications include a high-density LFP battery with a CLTC-certified range of up to 500 kilometers, although the European WLTP figures will likely be somewhat lower when it arrives on the EU market.
This model is based on the Leapmotor's new global A-platform It's marketed in China as a "smart SUV" with extensive digital features and advanced driver assistance systems. The brand's aim is to break the perception that a small car should be simple and lacking in technology, and that a more affordable product can't offer assistance or connectivity systems typical of higher segments.
In turn, the A05 It is configured as a electric hatchback type carLower in height and even more focused on urban and commuter mobility, its aim is to compete with the electric city cars that are beginning to gain traction in Europe, offering a competitive price-to-performance ratio. With a design focused on everyday use and space optimization, this model seeks to attract drivers who want to make the switch to electric vehicles without the expense of a larger SUV.
B10: the flagship model of the project in Figueruelas…
El B10 This is the model that will pave the way for Leapmotor at the Aragon plant and, in a way, will set the standard for collaboration between the two companies. It is a Compact SUV about 4,5 meters long which is already being sold in China and has garnered a remarkable response since its launch, with tens of thousands of bookings in just a few days following the opening of orders in the Asian country.
Built on architecture LEAP3.5Developed in-house by the company, the vehicle combines a hardware base specifically designed for electric cars with a strong component of software and intelligent drivingThe model is offered with several configurations equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, supported by LiDAR sensors supplied by the technology firm Hesai, which places the B10 in the range of vehicles prepared for high-level assisted driving functions.
In China, the B10 is positioned with a mid-to-low range price within the electricity marketThis has contributed to its rapid acceptance. For Europe, Stellantis and Leapmotor will have to adjust specifications, homologations, and market positioning, but the underlying philosophy remains the same: a spacious, technologically advanced electric SUV with a relatively low cost to gain market share in a highly competitive segment.
El B05, about which less information is currently available, is described internally as the model that could become the Leapmotor's most advanced and affordable electric vehicle in its European range.With dimensions similar to a traditional compact car, it stands out for details such as frameless doors and 19-inch wheels, and will share the same electric motor as the B10, adapted to a lighter body.
Adaptation of the Stellantis Figueruelas plant…
The arrival of these four models necessitates a significant internal reorganization at the Stellantis factory in Figueruelas, one of the plants with the longest tradition in the old Opel in Europe. The company is already working on the adaptation of assembly line 2which will have to be adjusted to the dimensions and technical requirements of the Leapmotor platform, which is somewhat wider than the current architectures that are assembled there.
The renovation works on line 2 are expected to begin between the end of winter and the beginning of spring, which will involve temporarily reorganize production of current models. During that period, the assembly of vehicles such as the Opel Corsa, the Peugeot 208 or Lancia Ypsilon It will concentrate on line 1, with the aim of maintaining manufacturing volume while preparing the ground for new Chinese electric vehicles.
This adaptation adds to the A profound transformation is already underway with the implementation of the STLA Small platformStellantis' new multi-energy architecture. The group plans to invest around 521 million euros until 2027 at the Aragonese plant, with support from public programs promoting electric vehicles, such as Perte VEC, and from regional governments. Within this framework, the alliance with Leapmotor reinforces the multi-brand nature of Figueruelas and helps secure additional work at a crucial time of industrial transition.
Lieder Automotive: chassis and employment in Borja…
Leapmotor's presence in Aragon is not limited to the Stellantis plant. A key part of the project is located in Borja, a few kilometers from Figueruelas, where the company has been established Lieder Automotive. It is a a joint venture among the Basque group Fagor Ederlan (integrated into the Mondragón Corporation) and the Chinese Duoli Technology, created specifically to manufacture the chassis and other structural components of the new electric vehicles.
The new firm will invest around 40 millones de euros at the former Fagor facilities in Borja, closed since 2019 and now converted for electric vehicles. The project includes the creation of approximately 170 direct jobs and the commissioning of a highly automated plant, with more than one hundred robots distributed across several production lines for stamping, assembly and welding.
El Lieder Automotive's main objective The plan is to supply B10 chassis to Figueruelas starting in August 2026, ensuring the assembly line has locally sourced parts before series production of the model begins. Furthermore, the plant is slated to manufacture components for the B05 and, potentially, for other Leapmotor vehicles or other customers in the sector who establish themselves in the region.
Fagor Ederlan emphasizes that this project represents the relaunch of the component assembly business in Borja and a gateway for new Chinese manufacturers in Europe. For Duoli Technology, meanwhile, the joint venture represents its first industrial establishment on the European continent, in line with its globalization strategy and its approach to the major electric vehicle production hubs.
Training, technology and the European supply chain…
Lieder Automotive's management has indicated that the workforce will be primarily composed of local staffAlthough in the initial phase, support from specialists from China will be necessary to set up the production processes, the idea is that, over time, knowledge will be transferred in a stable manner and the plant will operate with teams trained in the region.
Duoli Technology will contribute its experience of more than two decades in the manufacture of automotive componentsincluding stamped parts, welded assemblies, suspension elements, and structural components. Its regular customers include large, established manufacturers such as SAIC Motor, SAIC Volkswagen, and SAIC General Motors, as well as brands like NIO, Li Auto, and Leapmotor itself.
The presence of Fagor Ederlan, with a network of plants spread across Europe, China and America, and a annual turnover exceeding 500 million eurosThis also reinforces Aragon's position as an industrial hub. The Basque cooperative sees this project as an opportunity to advance its own electrification and meet the sustainability requirements that are already setting the pace for the sector.
Battery gigafactory and electric ecosystem in Aragon…
Leapmotor's announcement coincides with another major industrial development in Aragon: the construction of the CATL and Stellantis battery gigafactory in FigueruelasWith an investment of around 4.100 billion euros and more than 3.000 jobs planned, the plant is shaping up to be one of the largest battery production centers in Europe and will supply both Stellantis models and other manufacturers.
In the case of Leapmotor, The vehicles assembled in Figueruelas will initially use batteries imported from Chinawhile maintaining CATL as a key supplier. From 2028, when the gigafactory is operational, the plan is for the batteries to be manufactured locally. The medium-term objective is to progressively increase the added value generated in Spain, from chassis produced in Borja to battery modules assembled near the Aragonese plant.
This set of investments transforms Figueruelas and its surrounding area into a strategic hub for electric mobility in southern Europe. concentration of manufacturers, component suppliers and battery producers It generates industrial synergies and reinforces Aragon's position as a European logistics and industrial hub. Leapmotor's commitment, the support of suppliers like Fagor Ederlan and Duoli Technology, and the arrival of CATL consolidate the region as a key player in the electric vehicle value chain, with a direct impact on employment, innovation, and the sector's international projection.
Source – Leapmotor
Images | Leapmotor
