Stellantis teams with Chinese automakers to launch EU factories

European carmakers are increasingly opening their production sites to Chinese partners as the continent tightens rules on foreign investment. Stellantis is preparing facilities in Rennes (France), Madrid and Zaragoza (Spain) for Chinese firms Dongfeng and Leapmotor, while Geely will use a Ford plant in Spain and Chery is expanding production in the former Nissan factory near Barcelona. The collaboration aims to keep jobs and plant capacity active, but it also means European firms may lose control over technology and product branding.

Spain has become a focal point for Chinese automotive investment, hosting a €4 billion CATL‑Stellantis gigafactory in Zaragoza and projects from SAIC, Envision’s AESC, Gotion High‑Tech and BYD. The Zaragoza plant is slated to source over 70 % of components from the EU and train about 4 000 Spanish workers. These moves reflect a broader shift from welcoming any investment to demanding stricter conditions on employment, skills development and local supply chains.