Jeep and Peugeot parent could look to Chinese Leapmotor for future of its hybrid models

In what seems to be an obvious end-game as part of its team-up with Leapmotor, Stellantis could be set to lean on its Chinese partner for hybrid technology to bolster its other brands in Europe.

Ultimately, according to a new report from Autocar, this will mean the range extender hybrid tech from Leapmotor’s C10 and B10 will be deployed in at least Peugeots and Fiats.

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The international boss also earmarked future platform sharing as the direction in which the partnership was moving.

Stelllantis, which was born from a merger between the America-focused Fiat Chrysler and Euro-focused PSA Group, has had a disparate array of products built for an array of different markets on a range of platforms which didn’t start out with a lot of commonality between them.

The brands under the group include Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall.

While this initially made it challenging for the group, it has gradually begun to rationalize its platforms into a handful to be used across its global range. For passenger cars this includes the 'STLA' small, medium, and large architecture, 4x4s and utes ride on the SLTA Frame platform.

Leapmotor, which is 19.99 per cent owned by Stellantis, uses a separate 'LEAP' architecture for its vehicles, developed separately from Stellantis in China. Leapmotor is now also building cars in Europe

Mr Xin’s comments on future platform sharing seems to indicate there could be future cars from European brands on the LEAP platform, or future Leapmotor cars underpinned by an STLA platform.

Either way, Leapmotor’s range-extender hybrid technology solves a problem for Stellantis in rolling out a consistent range of hybrids in emissions-sensitive markets, or potentially even for the American market where EVs are floundering thanks to the removal of incentives.

For Australia, it could lead to a range of appealing range-extender hybrids wearing a wider array of badges, whether they are Fiats, Peugeots or even Jeeps.

Jeep in particular is embattled in Australia, down a whopping 33.3 per cent until the end of 2025, moving just 1585 units for the year. Its range of products has been cut down significantly, with the brand discontinuing the new-generation (and significantly more expensive) Grand Cherokee after a slow sales run.

This strips its range down to just the Wrangler off-roader and its related Gladiator ute, as well as the Euro-sourced Avenger electric compact SUV and outgoing previous-generation Compass mid-sizer.

Peugeot is also embattled in Australia, having taken a 28.8 per cent sales hit over the course of 2025. It moved just 1350 units for the year, as it faces stiff competition from rivals new and old.

Even Leapmotor’s fledgling effort in the Australian market has struggled to find traction. The brand offered the mid-size C10 in both EV and range-extender hybrid forms, and yet managed to sell 644 new vehicles over the course of the year.

In comparison, its most direct rival, Geely and its EX-5 and Starray EM-i hybrid spin-off, moved over 5000 units in the same period.

Next for Leapmotor’s Australian efforts is its B10 small SUV, initially in electric and later hybrid form. Internationally, the brand has also debuted the C16 large SUV and A10 crossover in China, as well as the B05 Golf-sized hatchback in Europe.