After investing in Zero Run cars last year, Stellantis Group began planning to produce Zero Run models overseas.
Recently, it was reported that Stellantis Group is considering producing pure electric models under the Zero Run brand at the Mirafiori factory in Italy, with a planned production capacity of 150000 units. The earliest official production date is 2026 or 2027.
Interface News has sought confirmation from Zero Run Automotive regarding this matter, but the other party has not denied this news and stated that discussions on various business cooperation between the two sides are still ongoing.
It is understood that the Raffiori factory located in Turin, Italy is currently producing the Fiat 500e and Maserati models, and is the production center for Stellantis electric vehicles, with an annual production capacity of up to 600000 vehicles. Stellantis renovated and upgraded the factory in 2021, and stated that more electrification production tasks will be allocated to the factory in the future.
According to the European Automotive News, some of the models produced by the factory will end production in the future, providing production space for Zero Run cars. Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, stated that the company will carry out production of Zero Run cars in Italy while ensuring cost and quality competitiveness.
If the plan goes smoothly, the Zero Run cars that are concerned about production will be sold through Stellantis Group's European distribution network.
Compared to this still under consideration production plan, it has been confirmed that Zero Run will enter overseas markets through export this year.
Last October, Stellantis invested approximately 1.5 billion euros (8.5 billion Hong Kong dollars) to acquire approximately 20% equity in Zero Run Motors, with a focus on overseas markets. Wu Qiang, Co President of Lingpao Automobile, previously stated in an interview with Interface News that the Lingpao International Joint Venture established by both parties will start exporting business to the European market in the third quarter of this year.
It is understood that Zero Run International will be exclusively responsible for the export and sales of Zero Run cars in all markets worldwide except Greater China, and has the exclusive right to manufacture Zero Run car products locally. Stellantis officially stated that Zero Run International's goal is to sell 500000 cars outside the Chinese market by 2030.
For the two methods of vehicle export and localized production, Wu Qiang stated that Zero Run will choose based on economic cost considerations. "Currently, the cost of (vehicle) export is low." At the same time, he also stated that Zero Run will not build factories overseas, and localized production will rely on Stellantis factories and third-party factories for OEM.
The first overseas launch model of Zero Run, the Zero Run C10, in collaboration with Stellantis, was officially pre-sale in January this year and is expected to be officially launched and delivered in March. The overseas market process will also be synchronized.
The latest financial report shows that Stellantis will launch 18 pure electric models within this year, with a total of 48 pure electric models under its umbrella. The group's goal is to sell all passenger cars in Europe as pure electric models by 2030.