--- title: "Opel's Zaragoza Plant, Which Produced 10M Cars, Now Assembles Leapmotor EV Batteries" description: "On October 16 at the Zaragoza plant, Leapmotor produced its first European electric crossover B10 and launched the assembly of battery modules. Production is organized at the former Opel site in cooperation with Stellantis." date: 2026-10-18T11:58:53.821Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/opel-zaragoza-plant-assembles-leapmotor-batteries tags: [leapmotor, stellantis, opel, saragossa, electric-vehicles, battery-production, europe] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Opel's Zaragoza Plant, Which Produced 10M Cars, Now Assembles Leapmotor EV Batteries ![Company representative signing the first Leapmotor B10 electric vehicle at the Zaragoza plant amidst a crowd of journalists](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/18/zavod-opel-saragossa-sobiraet-akkumuliatory-dlya-leapmotor/zavod-opel-saragossa-sobiraet-akkumuliatory-dlya-leapmotor-1.webp) ## Key Points - On October 16, 2026, the first European-built Leapmotor B10 electric crossover rolled off the line at the Zaragoza plant. - A facility for the local assembly of battery modules for the new model was launched at the same site. - Production is organized at a 43-year-old site (formerly Opel, over 10 million cars) in cooperation with Stellantis. - Lines were upgraded to produce electric vehicles alongside the Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, and Lancia Ypsilon. - The strategy aims to transition from imports from China to local manufacturing and reduce the impact of customs restrictions. On October 16, 2026, at the automotive plant in Zaragoza, Spain, two events simultaneously marked a new phase for the Chinese brand Leapmotor in Europe. The first European-built instance of the B10 electric crossover rolled off the production line, while a facility for the local assembly of battery modules was launched in parallel. The rollout ceremony for the first vehicle was accompanied by a dense crowd of journalists and cameramen: a company representative personally signed the body of the white crossover featuring the signature Leapmotor logo, serving as a visual symbol of the start of European production. ### First European B10 Rolls Off the Production Line The release of the first European-built B10 crossover is not merely a promotional gesture, but an operational milestone: the car is now assembled directly at a European site rather than imported fully built from China. For Leapmotor, this signifies a shift in its market presence model—moving from finished vehicle logistics to local manufacturing, which shortens the supply chain and brings the model closer to the final buyer in Europe. ### Battery Plant Closes the Loop Within Europe The second key event of the day is the launch of the battery assembly plant. It will be responsible for the local assembly of battery modules for the new model, forming a production chain within the continent. According to the company's vision, this approach should increase the efficiency of component supplies and reduce the impact of customs restrictions associated with importing finished electric vehicles from abroad. ### A Facility with a 43-Year History Production was organized at a site with a 43-year history, formerly operated by Opel, during which time over 10 million vehicles were produced. Leapmotor, in cooperation with Stellantis, upgraded the production lines to accommodate the manufacturing of Chinese electric vehicles alongside the European concern's already established models—the Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, and Lancia Ypsilon. Thus, the new capacities are integrated into existing operations rather than built from scratch. ### From Imports from China to Local Manufacturing Combined, the two events on October 16 turn the project into a systematic endeavor: the launch of the battery facility complements vehicle production and enables a localized electric vehicle manufacturing system. For Leapmotor, this marks a transition from supplies originating in China to production directly within the European market, and for the partnership with Stellantis, it is an important milestone where the Chinese manufacturer utilizes the existing capacities of the European automotive group while simultaneously developing local assembly for both batteries and vehicles. The outcome of the day in Zaragoza is an example of how global cooperation between a Chinese brand and a European concern brings key production processes, including batteries, inside Europe. For the market, this potentially means shorter delivery times and less dependence on import restrictions, and for the site itself, it represents the continuation of its long-standing manufacturing history into the electric vehicle era. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Завод Opel, за 43 года выпустивший 10 млн автомобилей, теперь собирает аккумуляторы для автомобилей Leapmotor](https://www.ixbt.com/news/2026/10/17/zavod-opel-za-43-goda-vypustivsii-10-mln-avtomobilei-teper-sobiraet-akkumuliatory-dlia-avtomobilei-leapmotor.html) - Primary source; contains all key facts: October 16 date, Zaragoza plant, first European B10, battery assembly launch, 43-year history of the Opel site, over 10 million cars, line upgrades with Stellantis, Opel Corsa / Peugeot 208 / Lancia Ypsilon models, transition strategy from imports to local manufacturing. - [Завод Opel, за 43 года выпустивший 10 млн автомобилей, теперь собирает аккумуляторы для автомобилей ...](https://pikabu.ru/reply-stories/14432340) - Repost of the primary source text with a user comment; adds no new facts, contains no discrepancies. - [Ответ на пост «Завод Opel, за 43 года выпустивший 10 млн автомобилей, теперь собирает аккумуляторы ...](https://pikabu.ru/story/otvet_na_post_zavod_opel_za_43_goda_vyipustivshiy_10_mln_avtomobiley_teper_sobiraet_akkumulyatoryi_dlya_avtomobiley_leapmotor_kontserna_chery_14432696) - User reply comment; carries no factual weight, no discrepancies with the primary source found. ## FAQ ### What exactly happened on October 16, 2026, at the Zaragoza plant? Leapmotor produced its first European-built B10 electric crossover and simultaneously launched a facility for the local assembly of battery modules for the new model. ### What is the history of this production site? The site is 43 years old, formerly operated by Opel, and has produced over 10 million vehicles during its history. ### Who upgraded the production lines and for which models? Leapmotor, in cooperation with Stellantis, upgraded the lines to produce Chinese electric vehicles alongside the Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, and Lancia Ypsilon. ### Why is Leapmotor launching battery assembly in Europe? To close the production chain within Europe, increase the efficiency of component supplies, and reduce the impact of customs restrictions on imported finished cars. ### What does this mean for Leapmotor's strategy? It represents a transition from importing vehicles from China to manufacturing directly in the European market, as well as an important milestone in cooperation with Stellantis.