THE GIST Dutch automaker Stellantis is offering to rent its underutilized plants in France to Chinese EV makers.
Stellantis, which owns Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat and nine other brands, struck a deal with China’s state-owned Dongfeng to build Chinese electric vehicles inside Europe
WHAT HAPPENED Some deals come together with the kind of ease that makes them feel inevitable. The joint venture between Stellantis and Dongfeng is among them, much to the EU’s chagrin. The joint venture covers sales, distribution, manufacturing, purchasing, and engineering of Dongfeng’s premium Voyah-branded electric and hybrid vehicles.
They’ll be manufactured in Stellantis’ Rennes plant. Stellantis will hold a 51% controlling stake to Dongfeng’s 49%. In exchange, Dongfeng will manufacture Jeep and Peugeot models in China for local and global markets.