Recently, it was revealed that Stellantis Group (formed by the merger of PSA and FCA with a 50:50 share ratio), Opel Motors is discussing cooperation with Dongfeng Group. The news pointed out that Opel will choose to use the same platform as DPCA to create products and produce in a collinear manner in the future, and return to the Chinese market as a "domestic" identity.
In this regard, the relevant person in charge of Stellantis Group responded to the media: "Everyone will know about the operation strategy of Stellantis Group in the Chinese market on March 1. "Dongfeng Group has not responded for the time being.
Return news came several times
In 1993, Opel Motors has entered the Chinese market, which is the earliest batch of international car brands to enter the Chinese market. However, it has not been able to be localized, the price has not had any advantage, and it has always been a tepid niche brand in the Chinese market. Even after announcing its withdrawal from the Chinese market in 2015, Opel's annual sales have been hovering in the thousands until it withdraws from the Chinese market, and Opel's domestic ownership is only 40,000 vehicles, which is not as good as the monthly sales of many brands.
In fact, as early as 2019, there was news that DPCA would introduce the Opel brand. At that time, Dongfeng Group had responded that according to the new strategic alliance agreement, the development right of the Opel brand in China had been handed over to DPCA, but there had been no clear news on when and how to import it.
In July 2021, Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller said at the Stellantis Group Electric Vehicle Day (EV-Day), "We will return to China and bring 100% Opel electric vehicles."
At present, Stellantis Group has a new electric platform of STLA S, STLA M, STLA L and STLA F, covering small cars, medium-sized cars, pickup trucks and other models, with a mileage of 500-800km, and the future Peugeot, Citroen, DS and Opel electric vehicles will be built on the above platform.
"Electrification" is the key to a return
Opel, a subsidiary of General Motors, was sold by GM to PSA Group for 2.2 billion euros in 2017 and turned Opel's business into a profit in 2018.
With the merger of PSA and FCA to form the Stellantis Group, Opel was also included in the new group. Although the development of Stellantis Group's brands in the domestic market has not been smooth in recent years, the group's senior management has constantly revealed to the outside world that it is unwilling to give up the Chinese market.
At present, China is already the world's largest automotive market and the largest new energy vehicle market, and Opel plans to return to china's position in the global market. In the view of Stellantis executives, the Chinese market is not only a must for The global development of Stellantis, but also an important arena for Stellantis in electrification and intelligence.
It is understood that in March this year, Stellantis Group will announce the specific measures of China's strategy. Perhaps only then, plans for brands such as Opel to introduce into China may come to light.
Xiaoxiang Morning News reporter Hu Xiong
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