Stellantis may sell European factories to Chinese automakers across four countries. Ford reportedly plans to hand part of its Valencia assembly line over to China’s Geely. Chery already owns a former Nissan plant capable of 200,000 vehicles a year. Stellantis could sell several of its European factories to Chinese companies, and it’s not alone. A growing number of legacy car manufacturers with important industrial bases across the continent may do the same, providing Chinese brands with an easy way into the market. In addition to announcing plans that the next EV from Opel will use underpinnings from Leapmotor, Stellantis revealed late last week that several vehicles from Leapmotor will be built at its plant in Villaverde, Madrid. Not only that, but Stellantis said it plans to transfer ownership of the plant to the Spanish subsidiary of its Leapmotor joint venture. Read: Stellantis Cuts 650 Opel Engineers In Germany, Then Hands Its Next EV To China The production ties won’t stop there. Bloomberg understands that Stellantis is also considering selling plants it operates in France, Germany, and Italy to China’s Dongfeng, a longtime partner of the automaker. Several other brands in Europe are considering doing the same or have already done so. For example, Chery purchased a former Nissan plant in Barcelona, Spain, back in 2023, giving it the capacity to build up to 200,000 vehicles annually. In addition, Nissan is apparently considering selling its Sunderland, UK, plant to either Chery or Dongfeng. Ford And VW Do The Same It was also recently reported that Ford will sell an assembly line at its plant in Valencia, Spain, to China’s Geely. The company will reportedly build a multi-energy vehicle at this site using its Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture. Such a model would likely be offered with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains. Even Volkswagen is considering how to tie its Chinese partners into its European operations, potentially building or importing some of its newer models from China into the region. While working with Chinese companies is a better option than closing plants, automotive industry specialist Bernard Jullien notes that it carries risks. “For manufacturers, suppliers, employees, and local officials, it is tempting to prefer selling to a Chinese player rather than disappearing,” he said. “But this amounts to giving a leg up to a formidable competitor right here in the heart of Europe by providing a powerful accelerator for its penetration of our markets.” VW ID. Unyx 09
