Stellantis and State-Owned Dongfeng Motor Group to Develop a New Jeep SUV

The upcoming SUV will incorporate technologies from Dongfeng’s Voyah and M-Hero brands. Dongfeng representatives confirmed that they are in contact with Stellantis but declined to comment on recent developments.

When it comes to Stellantis and China, many immediately think of Leapmotor — a partnership that’s been under discussion since 2023. However, Stellantis already has a long-standing relationship with Dongfeng: the two companies jointly produce Citroën and Peugeot vehicles in China. In May 2025, their joint venture, Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën, launched a new NEV (New Energy Vehicle) brand called Hedmos.

In July, Stellantis Group CEO Antonio Filosa visited Dongfeng Motor and reviewed key Voyah and M-Hero models. He emphasized that Stellantis plans to deepen its cooperation with the state-owned automaker to accelerate its transition toward the new energy vehicle segment.

According to Economic Observer, Stellantis and Dongfeng have likely reached a preliminary agreement to co-develop a Jeep SUV that will integrate Voyah and M-Hero technologies. Previously, Jeep vehicles were produced in China through a joint venture with GAC, which went bankrupt in 2022.

Under the new partnership, Stellantis will handle the SUV’s design, while Dongfeng will be responsible for core technologies, including the powertrain, interior, and autonomous driving systems.

The project is expected to be based on a platform previously used for the Freelander project by Chery and Jaguar Land Rover. The first Jeep new-energy crossover is slated for release in the first quarter of 2027, with an estimated development cycle of 18 months.

Industry observers believe this partnership could help Stellantis strengthen its foothold in the Chinese market, where the group’s sales have declined in recent years. The launch of a new Jeep BEV or PHEV model could rejuvenate the brand domestically — and eventually bring a China-developed crossover to international markets. The model is also expected to feature technology from the recently launched M-Hero M817.

The M-Hero M817 is a full-size SUV with a robust body design, measuring 5,100 x 1,998 x 1,919 mm, with a 3,005 mm wheelbase and 237 mm ground clearance. It features rear-wheel steering, a five-seat (2+3) configuration, and a 15.6-inch touchscreen powered by Huawei’s HarmonyOS 5 system.

The plug-in hybrid version is equipped with a 1.5-liter engine and two electric motors delivering a combined 505 kW (677 hp) and 848 Nm of torque. The top-spec M817 uses a 50.4 kWh Freevoy battery from CATL, offering an electric range of 215 km (134 miles) and a combined range of 1,365 km (848 miles). Prices range from 319,900 to 369,900 yuan ($45,000–$52,000).