Stellantis and Dongfeng Group announce US$1.2 billion manufacturing investment in China
By Eve
Stellantis and Dongfeng Group have agreed to a US$1.2 billion investment to expand manufacturing operations in China. The partnership between the European automaker and the Chinese state owned enterprise will focus on production capacity in the Chinese market. Details of the agreement were reported via industry news sources covering the automotive sector.
Why it matters
Large scale manufacturing partnerships between global OEMs and Chinese partners often include EV production lines that require charging infrastructure for factory operations, employee facilities and vehicle testing. The investment scale suggests significant production volumes that could drive demand for charging equipment procurement in industrial and commercial settings.
Source
- Original title
- “Stellantis, Dongfeng Group agree US$1.2 billion Chinese manufacturing push”
- Published
- 18 May 2026 (date approximate)
- Updated
- 22 September 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Electric Vehicles
- Places
- China · United States
- Tags
- Stellantis · Dongfeng Group
Related news
Stellantis patents battery ejection system to counter EV fire risk
Stellantis has filed a US patent for a system that physically ejects an electric vehicle battery when fire risk is detected, according to a filing by FCA US, the group's American division, spotted by CarBuzz. The patent addresses thermal runaway concerns, though studies show EVs catch fire statistically less often than petrol or hybrid vehicles. The system aims to tackle the propagation challenge when a battery cell overheats and spreads to adjacent cells.
Why it matters
Fleet operators and charging site designers may need to factor in new safety protocols if ejection systems become standard, potentially affecting depot layouts and emergency response planning. The patent signals OEM focus on mitigating perceived fire risk, which remains a barrier to EV adoption despite lower statistical incidence than combustion vehicles.
Tesla enables bidirectional charging for new Model 3 and Model Y orders in US with Powerwall 3
Tesla has extended its PowerShare home backup feature to new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles ordered from 1 October 2026 onwards in the US and Puerto Rico, previously available only on the Cybertruck. The capability requires a Powerwall 3 home battery and compatible charger, with Tesla stating the setup can extend home backup by over two days using the vehicle's battery.
Why it matters
This marks a significant expansion of vehicle to home charging infrastructure in the residential market, potentially driving demand for integrated Tesla energy systems. For charging point operators and installers, it signals growing competition from OEM controlled bidirectional solutions that bypass third party hardware.
Proton captures 50% of Malaysia's September 2026 EV market as registrations fall 31.7%
Malaysia registered 6,029 battery electric vehicles in September 2026, down 31.7% from August's 8,833 units, with Proton accounting for 3,016 registrations or 50% of the market, according to road transport department data reported on 11 October 2026. Proton's e.MAS 5 recorded 2,490 units and the e.MAS 7 added 526, bringing the carmaker's year to date total to 24,857 units. Tesla held second place with 703 units, down 39.7%, followed by BYD with 615 units, up 7.7%, and Zeekr in fourth with 445 units, up 12.7%.
Why it matters
The 50% market share held by a single domestic manufacturer signals potential concentration in Malaysia's charging infrastructure demand, with implications for network planning and site selection. The 31.7% month on month decline in overall registrations may affect near term charging deployment schedules and utilisation forecasts for operators in the market.