According to www.cnbc.com, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa confirmed on May 22, 2026, that the automaker plans to expand production of Chinese-branded electric vehicles in Mexico — but explicitly ruled out such activity in the United States.
Mexico and Canada as Target Markets
Filosa stated during a news conference at Stellantis’ North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan:
“I believe that there is space in Mexico. … There is maybe space in Canada. We’ll see. Now there is no space in the United States. We don’t see that.” — Antonio Filosa, CEO, Stellantis
The company’s joint venture with Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. — in which Stellantis holds a 51% majority stake — already grants it exclusive rights to sell and manufacture Leapmotor vehicles outside greater China. Stellantis also owns a 21% equity stake in Leapmotor itself, making it the largest shareholder.
Canadian Import Framework Enables Trial Deployment
Canada currently permits 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles annually for retail sale at a 6.1% tariff rate. This regulatory window creates a viable pathway for Stellantis to deploy Leapmotor EVs in Canada. A key asset is the former Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario — a large Stellantis facility that ceased production of the Dodge Charger and Challenger in December 2023. Bloomberg News reported last month that Stellantis was actively discussing options with Leapmotor to build electric vehicles there.
U.S. Strategy Focuses on Non-China Partnerships
In contrast, Stellantis’ U.S. strategy centers on collaborations with non-Chinese brands. Earlier this week, the company announced it would explore joint projects with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). Filosa emphasized product alignment:
“JLR, it is a partnership that can work very well for both parties because you see that the profile of what we industrialized, build, is not that different … so there is some synergy in the product conception that we can share with JLR.” — Antonio Filosa, CEO, Stellantis
This follows Stellantis’ broader $70 billion turnaround plan, which targets positive cash flow by 2027 and a 35% increase in North American sales, led by Ram Trucks and Chrysler revival initiatives.
Strategic Rationale and Industry Context
Stellantis’ dual-track approach reflects mounting pressure on legacy automakers amid intensifying trade tensions and shifting EV supply chain dynamics. While U.S. policymakers have imposed steep tariffs on Chinese EVs — effectively blocking direct market entry — Canada’s more permissive import quota provides a controlled testbed. This mirrors broader industry behavior: BYD launched its first North American plant in Brazil in 2024, and Tesla began exporting Model Y from its Shanghai Gigafactory to Canada in early 2025. For supply chain professionals, the move signals growing reliance on cross-border assembly hubs to navigate tariff regimes — particularly where existing idle capacity (e.g., Brampton’s 1.2-million-square-foot plant) can be repurposed without new CAPEX.
Source: CNBC
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
