The Chinese want to take over European car factories. Talks with Stellantis and Ford are progressing

Chinese car manufacturers: Dongfeng and Hongqi are negotiating with Stellantis to take over or share European factories – reports “Auto Świat”, citing Reuters and Bloomberg. Owner, among others Xpeng and Xiaomi are also talking to Stellantis. The latter brand, as well as Geely, plans to produce cars in Ford's European factory. Everything incl. to avoid EU tariffs on Chinese cars.

Dongfeng is interested in the Stellantis factories in Madrid, Italian Cassino and French Rennes, as well as one of the factories in Germany. Owner, among others Fiat, Opel and Peugeot are ready for talks because – according to information from Bloomberg – the production capacity in the mentioned factories is only half used. For the Chinese, taking over European factories is a way to fight EU tariffs on cars manufactured in the Middle Kingdom.

Let us remind you that Stellantis' problems have been going on for a long time. In 2025, Stellantis in its Italian factories (mainly Fiat) produced the fewest cars since 1954. The lowest production in 71 years is a response to the falling sales of Fiats, Opels, Peugeots and Citroens from year to year.

The result of falling production and unused production capacity is the planned reduction of employment and the closure of some plants. This is the fate that will befall the Peugeot factory in Poissy, France, over the next two years, which is to be transformed into a plant producing spare parts and dismantling cars.

Stellantis talks to… Stellantis

As reported by Reuters, Hongqi, a Chinese manufacturer of premium cars, would also like to take over one of the Spanish Stellantis factories. for the leaders of the Communist Party of China. Interestingly, negotiations with Stellantis are being conducted by Leapmotor, a Chinese manufacturer of electric cars, produced, among others, in Zaragoza, Spain, where 20 percent shares are held by… Stellantis.

According to information from Bloomberg, Xiaomi and Xpeng are also in talks with Stellantis. However, the subject of the talks is not so much the factories but the takeover of the Maserati brand. Ford is also negotiating with the Chinese. In this case, it is about cooperation with Geely and Xiaomi, under which Chinese brands could produce their cars in Valencia, Spain.

MKZ

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