Stellantis and Dongfink ink MoU for European Voyah EV joint venture
The proposed structure grants Stellantis a 51% controlling stake, leveraging its European retail network against Dongfeng’s Chinese supply chain to address manufacturing overcapacity and trade barriers.
Stellantis and Chinese automaker Dongfeng have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to establish a Europe-based joint venture focused on the local production and sale of Dongfeng’s Voyah electric vehicles. Under the proposed structure, Stellantis will hold a 51% controlling stake, with Dongfeng retaining a 49% interest. The venture aims to combine Stellantis’ established European retail and after-sales network with Dongfeng’s supply chain capabilities in China.
Initial manufacturing is expected to take place at Stellantis’ Rennes factory in France. The agreement is designed to facilitate local production for selected European markets, thereby allowing Chinese manufacturers to bypass EU import tariffs on finished vehicles. This strategic move also responds to broader industry pressures, including European original equipment manufacturers’ manufacturing overcapacity and the aggressive global expansion strategies employed by Chinese OEMs.
Stellantis chief executive Antonio Filosa described the partnership as a new dimension of international cooperation, noting that it leverages Stellantis’ global footprint alongside Dongfeng’s access to China’s advanced new energy vehicle ecosystem. The deal includes provisions for joint purchasing and engineering activities, aiming to provide customers with greater choice and competitive pricing across the continent.
The announcement follows a separate agreement earlier this month to expand the existing Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile (DPCA) joint venture in China. That deal will see Peugeot and Jeep-branded electric vehicles produced at a Wuhan plant starting in 2027 for both domestic and export markets. The DPCA partnership has manufactured more than 6.5 million vehicles since its inception, underscoring the long-standing industrial ties between the two groups.
Dongfeng chairman Qing Yang stated that the partnership aligns with China’s national strategies for high-level opening up and stabilising foreign investment. However, the European venture remains subject to the finalisation of binding implementation agreements and requisite regulatory clearances. Stellantis is also deepening its relationship with Chinese partner Leapmotor to produce an Opel-branded C-segment SUV, further illustrating its strategy of integrating Chinese technology into its global portfolio.
