Partnership between Stellantis and Dongfeng can bring its own models to Brazil or use Chinese technology in cars from brands such as Jeep and Peugeot
Stellantis is considering expanding its vehicle offer in Brazil with models developed in partnership with China’s Dongfeng, according to the AutoData portal. The information was confirmed by Herlander Zola, the company’s president for South America, in a conversation with journalists after a panel at Anfavea Visions, an event promoted by the association that represents automakers.
According to the executive, the vehicles of the joint venture — recently established in China and Europe — may be launched in the country if they are competitive for the local market. “These are global projects, nothing specific to the Brazilian market,” he said. Although the strategy is still under study, the decision should not be delayed. Among the possibilities are the commercialization of the models under the group’s brands, such as Jeep and Peugeot, or the introduction of Dongfeng itself in Brazil.
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The move follows the logic of Stellantis’ partnership with another Chinese company, Leapmotor. The brand has already launched the B10 and C10 SUVs in the country, which will be produced nationally under the CKD regime at the plant in Goiana (PE). For Zola, Asian competition imposes a new pace on the industry: “To be competitive, the development deadlines will have to be different from what we were used to in Western industry. We need to be faster, I have no doubts.”
Zola also reaffirmed Stellantis’ R$32 billion investments in South America by 2030, part of Fastlane 2030, a global plan of about R$359 billion (€60 billion) announced in May. The resources will be concentrated on three fronts: compact cars, with emphasis on the renewal of the Fiat line; pickup trucks, which will receive a relevant portion of the funds; and SUVs, with the expansion of the Jeep portfolio – which will gain the Avenger – and the reinforcement of Leapmotor, which will have new products later this year.
The executive also clarified that the global priority given to Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot and Ram does not mean the abandonment of the other brands. According to him, Citroën will receive a smaller share of the resources, but remains relevant in markets such as Argentina, France and Portugal.
