Stellantis will reportedly develop a new Jeep-branded off-road SUV jointly with the state-owned Dongfeng Motor Group. Their vehicle will adopt the technologies of Voyah and M-Hero brands. Dongfeng officials proved they are in communication with Stellantis, refusing to comment on a new development.
When Stellantis and China are first mentioned, many will think of Leapmotor. Cooperation between the two companies has been discussed since 2023. However, the international group has a much longer-standing partnership with Dongfeng, Stellantis’ partner in the production of Citroën and Peugeot vehicles in China. In May 2025, the Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroen JV launched a new NEV brand called Hedmos.
In July, the CEO of Stellantis Group, Antonio Filosa, visited Dongfeng Motor and experienced key models from Voyah and M-Hero brands. The top manager highlighted that Stellantis will deepen its cooperation with the state-owned automaker to accelerate the transition to the new energy segment.
Jeep from Stellantis and Dongfeng
Economic Observer reported that Stellantis and Dongfeng might have reached a preliminary agreement with Dongfeng Motor. This collaboration includes the development of a Jeep off-road SUV with the integration of Voyah and M-Hero brands. Previously, Jeep cars were manufactured by GAC in China. However, this joint venture was declared bankrupt in 2022.
The Jeep partnership between Stellantis and Dongfeng will adopt the model previously adopted by the Freelander project from Chery and Jaguar Land Rover. It means Stellantis will take care of styling while Dongfeng will develop core technologies, including powertrain, cockpit, and autonomous driving. The two parties plan to launch their first Jeep new energy crossover in Q1 2027 with a development cycle of 18 months.
CarNewsChina expects that this partnership will allow Stellantis to solidify its market positioning in the Middle Kingdom. Previously, this group’s sales declined for several years in China. The launch of a new BEV or PHEV model from Jeep will help Stellantis and Dongfeng to relaunch this brand domestically. Later, the China-developed Jeep crossover may enter overseas markets. It may adopt a lot of tech from the recently launched M-Hero 817.
Briefly about M-Hero M817
The M-Hero M817 is a Dongfeng-developed full-size SUV with sturdy exterior styling. Its dimensions are 5100/1998/1919 mm with a wheelbase of 3,005 mm. The ground clearance is 237 mm. This SUV adopts rear-wheel steering. The M817 adopts five seats with a 2+3 layout. Its center console adopts a 15.6-inch touchscreen powered by the Harmony OS 5 system from Huawei.
The M-Hero M817 plug-in hybrid SUV adopts a 1.5-liter engine with two electric motors. Their combined power output reaches 505 kW (677 hp) and 848 Nm. The top-trim M817 boasts a 50.4 kWh Freevoy battery from CATL. Its pure electric range is 215 km, while its mixed range is 1,365 km. The price range is 319,900 – 369,900 yuan (44,960 – 51,990 USD).
