Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) is in early-stage discussions with Chinese EV partner Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology (HKEX: 9863) about producing electric vehicles at its idled Brampton, Ontario assembly plant.

If the talks progress, three models stand out as the most likely candidates for Canadian production: the C10 mid-size SUV, B10 compact SUV, and T03 city car — all of which are already sold across Europe through the Stellantis-led Leapmotor International joint venture.

The discussions come after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached a trade agreement in January 2026 to reduce tariffs on Chinese-made EVs from 100 percent to 6.1 percent, with an initial cap of 49,000 vehicles growing to 70,000 over five years.

A deal with Leapmotor would represent the first major Chinese automotive investment in Canada under that framework and could provide a lifeline for the roughly 3,000 unionized workers at the Brampton plant, which has sat idle since Stellantis ended production of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger in late 2023.

Leapmotor C10

The C10 is Leapmotor's flagship for international markets — a five-seat mid-size SUV measuring 4,739 mm (186.6 in) in length with a 2,825 mm (111.2 in) wheelbase.

In China, it is available as both a pure battery-electric and an extended-range electric vehicle. The BEV version comes with a 69.9 kWh or 74.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, delivering up to 605 km (376 miles) of CLTC range.

The higher-spec 605 variants run on an 800V architecture with 180 kW DC fast charging and produce 220 kW (299 PS) from a single rear motor, reaching 0–100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.

Chinese pricing starts at 122,800 CNY (c. $17,900 / c. CAD 24,800), while in Europe the C10 retails from approximately €36,500.

Leapmotor B10

The B10 is a compact SUV positioned one segment below the C10, measuring 4,515 mm (177.8 in) long. It launched in China in April 2025 with two LFP battery options: 56.2 kWh for 510 km (317 miles) of CLTC range, or 67.1 kWh for 600 km (373 miles).

The higher-powered variant produces 160 kW (218 PS) and sprints to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, with DC fast charging from 30 to 80 percent taking roughly 19 minutes.

Chinese pricing starts at 99,800 CNY (c. $14,500 / c. CAD 20,100), making it one of the most affordable electric SUVs on the market. In Europe, the B10 lists from €29,900.

Leapmotor T03

The T03 rounds out the trio as an A-segment city car, measuring just 3,620 mm (142.5 in) in length. Despite its compact footprint, it seats four and offers a 41.3 kWh LFP battery option delivering 403 km (250 miles) of CLTC range.

With Chinese pricing from 59,900 CNY (c. $8,700 / c. CAD 12,100) and European pricing from approximately £14,495, the T03 undercuts virtually every EV on sale in mature Western markets.

Its 109 PS motor and 100 km/h (62 mph) top speed mark it as a purpose-built urban commuter, but one that has already won over European buyers and earned recognition at the ECOBEST Challenge 2025 for efficiency.

Leapmotor delivered 596,555 vehicles globally in 2025, a 103 percent year-on-year increase, and has set a target of one million deliveries for 2026. The Stellantis-led joint venture now spans more than 40 markets with roughly 1,700 sales and service points. Production of Leapmotor vehicles outside China is already planned at a Stellantis facility in Spain.

The path to Canadian production is not straightforward. Unifor leaders have voiced concerns that Stellantis may use knock-down kits — pre-assembled vehicles shipped from China — rather than establishing genuine local manufacturing.

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has also warned that Chinese-made EVs entering Canada under reduced tariffs could face barriers at the American border, and President Donald Trump has threatened 100 percent tariffs on all Canadian goods if such a deal materialises.

Whether Stellantis can navigate the tariff tightrope and bring genuinely competitive Chinese EVs to North America through Canada remains an open question — but the product lineup Leapmotor has assembled makes a compelling case that the demand would be there.

Conversion rates: 1 USD = 6.8777 CNY; 1 USD = 1.3875 CAD, as of April 2, 2026