Vauxhall's New Budget Electric SUV to Launch by 2028 in Spain
Vauxhall is set to launch a budget-friendly electric SUV, marking a new step in affordable battery-powered vehicles. The model will be larger than the classic Chevette and developed through a partnership between Stellantis and Chinese firm Leapmotor. Production is planned to begin in 2028 at a Spanish factory. The project stems from a joint venture called Leapmotor International, formed in October 2023. Stellantis, which acquired Vauxhall a decade ago after General Motors sold it alongside Opel, has since expanded its electric vehicle ambitions. The new SUV will be designed in Germany by Opel-Vauxhall’s engineers, while Leapmotor supplies the motor, electronics, and battery.
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa believes the collaboration will boost electric vehicle production and local manufacturing in Europe. Leapmotor’s founder, Zhu Jiangming, has described the partnership as uniquely powerful. The SUV will feature its own distinct styling, a cabin with physical buttons, and a low-cost LFP battery to keep prices competitive.
Manufacturing will take place at Stellantis’ Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, Spain, with the first units expected to roll off the line in 2028. The new electric SUV will combine Vauxhall’s design expertise with Leapmotor’s technology to offer an affordable option for European buyers. Production at the Spanish factory will support Stellantis’ push into localised electric vehicle manufacturing. The model aims to bring budget-friendly electric mobility to a wider market by the end of the decade.
