Ahead of the Stellantis 2026 Investor Day event, Opel announced a key project under development as part of its model strategy: an all-new, fully electric SUV in the significant and highly competitive C segment that will expand its existing product range.
Production is scheduled to begin in 2028.
With Stellantis and Leapmotor considering expanding their partnership, the new vehicle is intended to be positioned as a model project for global collaboration. The plan to start sales of the new model as early as 2028 will allow Opel to take a significant step forward in its electrification and growth strategy in a short period of time.
The new Opel C-SUV is expected to be launched alongside the Grandland, Frontera, and Mokka models in the brand's existing SUV range. Commenting on the matter, Opel CEO Florian Huettl said, “This SUV was designed and created by us at Opel in Rüsselsheim and developed by international teams working in Germany and China. Thanks to the collaboration with Leapmotor, the development time is expected to be less than two years. This represents another significant step for Opel in developing the latest and most accessible electric vehicles for our customers.”
The new model is expected to combine Leapmotor's latest electric architecture and core battery technology components with Opel's signature design, in-car experience, chassis engineering, lighting, and seating technology.
It will be produced in the same factory as the Corsa.
The new model is being considered to utilize Stellantis' European production network and be manufactured alongside the Opel Corsa at the Zaragoza factory in Spain. The Zaragoza plant has been the production center for Opel's iconic B-segment model, the Corsa, since 1982.
Xavier Chereau, Chairman of the Opel Supervisory Board and Director of Human Resources and Sustainability at Stellantis, commented on the project: “With this project, Opel will bring German engineering excellence to the pace of global technological innovation. This innovative spirit defines a new era in our global collaboration with Leapmotor, and Opel is taking a pioneering role in this project.”
This collaboration is expected to further strengthen Opel's position in value creation and electrification. The parties state that they are continuing feasibility and preliminary development studies under existing regulations, and that discussions for broader industrial cooperation are ongoing, subject to the signing of binding final agreements and completion of the usual approval processes.
