Opel/Vauxhall stands to become the initial Stellantis brand offering a vehicle built on Leapmotor components, yet this milestone provides scant reassurance for the engineers departing the company by the close of 2027.

Stellantis has revealed plans to manufacture the Leapmotor B10 at its Zaragoza plant in Spain, with output possibly commencing this year.

This marks the debut of a Leapmotor model produced in Europe, enabling the B10 to sidestep EU tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles that reach up to 35.4 percent.

The partners are collaborating on an electric SUV tailored for Opel. Styling will occur at Opel's Rüsselsheim base in Germany, while engineering efforts span Germany and China.

The upcoming SUV merges Leapmotor's advanced electric platform and battery systems with Opel's signature styling, interior features, suspension tuning, lighting, and seating designs.

Opel's preview image suggests the SUV mirrors the B10's outline and door openings but features distinct body panels and the marque's distinctive front fascia.

With both the B10 and this Opel SUV slated for the same facility, they likely share underpinnings, powertrains, and battery packs. The B10 currently offers a 132kW/175Nm or 160kW/240Nm rear-drive motor, paired with 56kWh or 67kWh batteries.

Measuring 4.5 metres, the B10 positions the Opel SUV - if similarly sized - between the Frontera and Grandland, the larger of which already includes a battery-electric option.

Opel and its labor representatives have verified to WardsAuto that 650 engineering positions in Germany will be eliminated, retaining about 1000 staff focused on AI, lighting, driver aids, software, and batteries.

Before PSA Group's acquisition, Opel boasted roughly 7700 engineers and served as GM's European R&D center, especially for compact cars. Recent reports indicate Stellantis will preserve its brands but prioritize four key global names: Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, and Fiat.

The Zaragoza site currently assembles the Peugeot 208, Lancia Ypsilon, and Opel Corsa, all on the Common Modular Platform (CMP).

General Motors opened the facility in 1982, shortly before Spain's entry into the European Economic Community - precursor to the EU - and it hosted every generation of the Opel Corsa, some exported to Australia as Holden Barinas.

Zaragoza has also built Opel models like the Kadett, Astra, Tigra, Meriva, Combo, and Crossland. Post-2017 sale to PSA, it added production for others, such as the Citroen C3 Aircross.

Zaragoza may not be alone; another Leapmotor variant could emerge from Stellantis's Madrid plant starting 2028. That site now solely produces the Citroen C4, nearing its end-of-life around then.

Unlike Zaragoza, Stellantis eyes selling the Madrid operation to Leapmotor. The alliance formed in 2023, with Stellantis acquiring a 21 percent stake to become Leapmotor's top shareholder.

The duo established a joint venture - 51 percent Stellantis-owned - to manage Leapmotor sales beyond China.