Stellantis Chief Executive Officer Antonio Filosa said on Tuesday he does not expect Chinese automakers to enter the United States market for “at least a few years,” even as the world’s fifth-largest automaker deepens its existing partnership with Chinese EV maker Leapmotor in Europe. “I don’t see today Chinese OEMs in the US, sincerely. At least for a few years, starting from now,” Filosa said at the Financial Times Future of the Car summit in London, which EV attended. The Italian-American CEO — who took over as Stellantis CEO nearly a year ago following the resignation of Carlos Tavares — was speaking hours after Representatives John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) formally introduced the Connected Vehicle Security Act in the US House. “The US being one of the largest markets in the world, can provide ground for partnerships, maybe not with Chinese OEMs,” he said. “So let’s see. It’s a matter of finding a common ground, a common roadmap to mutual benefits,” Filosa added. “This is all about partnership.” Bullish on Leapmotor in Europe Filosa’s restrained framing on the US contrasted sharply with his enthusiasm for the European Leapmotor relationship. Last week, Stellantis and Leapmotor announced that they are exploring a major expansion of their partnership, first announced in 2023. The planned moves include the co-development of a fully electric Opel SUV, a potential transfer of ownership of a plant in Madrid, and expanded joint purchasing through the Leapmotor International (LPMI) joint venture. Stellantis became Leapmotor’s single largest shareholder in October 2023 with an approximately 21% stake, which has been diluted since then to approximately 19%. “The partnership that we have very strong in Europe is with Leapmotor International,” Filosa said. “It’s a partnership where we distribute Leapmotor cars — step one was very good, very successful. And now