Another Chinese brand is heading to Europe, as Stellantis and Dongfeng Motor plan a new joint venture to manufacture and distribute Dongfeng’s premium Voyah-branded new energy vehicles (NEVs) vehicles across the Continent.

The planned JV would bring Dongfeng’s Voyah-branded premium NEVs to designated markets in Europe

The partnership aims to leverage Stellantis’s extensive regional manufacturing footprint and dealer network to accelerate the market entry of the Chinese automaker’s premium EV line-up.

Founded in 2019, Voyah is the luxury NEV division of Dongfeng Motor Corporation, which is one of China’s largest state-owned automakers. The brand focuses on designing and manufacturing premium, high-tech EVs equipped with smart cockpits and advanced sustainable materials.

Voyah’s cars are already sold in markets such as Norway and Switzerland, as well as Italy and Spain, where its line-up consists of a range of hybrid and pure-electric models. These include the Tesla Model Y-rivalling Free electric and extended-range SUV, the Dream flagship electric MPV and the Passion electric saloon.

The partnership between Dongfeng and Stellantis further expands a 34-year tie-up between the two car giants, and would optimise supply chains and significantly reduce production costs for the new European rollout.

Under the proposals, the partners intend to establish a new Europe-based, Stellantis-led 51/49 joint venture – similar to Stellantis’ arrangement with Chinese brand Leapmotor. The new entity would have responsibility for the sales and distribution of Dongfeng’s Voyah-branded premium NEVs in designated markets in Europe. The new business would also host joint purchasing and engineering activities, tapping into Dongfeng’s Chinese NEV ecosystem.

The plans would also potentially see Dongfeng’s NEVs built at Stellantis’ Rennes plant in France, which would ensure compliance with local regulations and meet strict ‘Made in Europe’ requirements.

At last month’s Auto China 2026, Voyah showcased the recently launched Taishan X8 SUV and announced three major internationalisation initiatives: “Deepening presence in Europe, expanding into the Middle East and entering right-hand drive markets.”

The deal has been publicised just days after Stellantis and Leapmotor announced plans to take their strategic partnership “to the next level”, transitioning from a distribution-based alliance into a European manufacturing and platform-sharing venture. The expansion aims to sidestep EU tariffs on Chinese imports and to lower electric vehicle costs.

Earlier this month, Stellantis and Dongfeng Group announced the production of all-new Peugeot and Jeep models in China for the domestic market and export.

Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO, said this “new chapter” takes the brands’ cooperation to an “all-new dimension of an international partnership to the benefit of customers around the world”.

The Stellantis chief also said the increased collaboration would give customers an “even greater choice of competitive products and pricing”.

Qing Yang, Dongfeng chairman, said the expanded partnership aligns with “China’s national strategies of high-level opening up, dual circulation and stabilising foreign investment, business and employment”.

He added: “Through coordination in technology, branding and global markets, it will unlock greater value from the joint venture, accelerate Dongfeng’s global expansion, support Stellantis’ global strategic shift and China presence.”

Earlier this month, Stellantis and Dongfeng confirmed that their China-based Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile (DPCA) joint venture will produce all-new Peugeot and Jeep-branded NEVs at its Wuhan plant for China and for export to global markets, starting in 2027.

Founded in 1992, the DPCA joint venture has produced over 6.5 million Peugeot and Citroën-branded vehicles in China for the domestic and overseas markets.