With V8s returning to the company’s lineup in the US, Stellantis is looking to fix some of the issues at its European arm, and that could involve a Chinese automaker.
According to Bloomberg, Stellantis has had talks with Chinese automakers Xiaomi and Xpeng as part of the company’s efforts to steady the French-Italian-American automaker’s European operations.
During the discussions the possibility of the Chinese brands producing vehicles in Europe in Stellantis factories was raised. This would allow those models to avoid punitive tariffs levied by the EU on made-in-China electric vehicles (EVs), as well as soak up some of the excess production capacity at Stellantis.
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Executives also raised the prospect of the Chinese automakers purchasing a stake in Maserati or another European-based brand. The European stable of marques owned by Stellantis includes Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat/Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, and Maserati.
It’s unclear how far discussions have progressed with either Xiaomi and Xpeng. In 2023 Volkswagen purchased a small stake (roughly five per cent) in Xpeng as the two companies agreed to develop a number of electric and extended range EV models together for the Chinese market.
When asked about these claims, Stellantis told the business publication: “As part of its normal course of business, Stellantis holds discussions with a range of industry players around the world on various topics, always with the ultimate aim of providing customers with the best mobility choices. The company does not comment on speculations.”
A representative for Xpeng declined to comment, while Xiaomi did not respond to enquiries from Bloomberg.
Antonio Filosa, who was previously head of the Stellantis North America, was appointed as the conglomerate’s CEO in June 2025, and his focus has primarily been on the company’s North American operations.
When Group PSA – parent of Peugeot, Citroen and Opel/Vauxhall – merged with Fiat Chrysler to form Stellantis in 2021, it was PSA’s CEO Carlos Tavares who became head of the combined firm, leading to allegations of a Euro-centric focus and approach to the 14-brand behemoth.
Some of his moves in the North American market, including axing the Hemi V8 in the Ram 1500 pickup truck, and releasing the latest Charger as an EV first, have attracted scrutiny and criticism from American automotive enthusiasts.
Sincehis departure in late 2024, Stellantis has backed off from its more ambitious electrification targets, including turning Opel, Vauxhall and Alfa Romeo into EV-only brands.
It has alsoreintroduced V8 enginesto the Ram 1500, killed off the pickup’slong-delayed EV variant, and axed its Jeep and Chrysler plug-in hybrids.
It should be noted that Chinese automaker Dongfeng purchased a 14 per cent stake in PSA in 2014 when the French automaker was in dire straits.
In order to get the Stellantis merger over the line with regulators, it was forced to sell down its shareholding, and the company ended up with 4.5 per cent stake at the time of the merger. Dongfeng has since sold off its shareholding.