Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) and Bolt announced a strategic partnership to explore large‑scale deployment of Level 4 driverless vehicles across Europe. The collaboration will pair Stellantis’ AV‑Ready Platforms™ – specifically the eK0 medium van and STLA Small – with Bolt’s extensive mobility network.
Trials are slated to begin in European markets in 2026, progressing from prototypes to pilot fleets with an initial production target set for 2029. Bolt reiterated its goal of fielding 100,000 autonomous vehicles by 2035. The memorandum of understanding is non‑binding; final deployment will depend on definitive agreements, regulatory clearances and mutually agreed technical and operational terms.
Positive
- Trials start in Europe from 2026
- Initial production target set for 2029
- Bolt’s ambition: 100,000 autonomous vehicles by 2035
- Leverages Stellantis AV‑Ready Platforms (eK0, STLA Small)
Negative
- Memorandum of understanding is non‑binding
- Deployment contingent on regulatory approvals
- Multi‑year timeline may delay commercial revenue until after 2029
Key Figures
Autonomous vehicle target
100,000 vehicles
Bolt ambition for autonomous vehicles on its platform by 2035
Countries served
more than 50 countries
Bolt’s current ride‑hailing footprint
EU markets
23 EU Member States
Bolt ride‑hailing coverage in the European Union
Trial start
2026
Planned start of driverless vehicle trials in European countries
Initial production target year
2029
Planned initial production target for autonomous fleet scale‑up
Autonomy level
Level 4
Planned driverless deployment level for Stellantis AV‑Ready Platforms
Target year
2035
Year by which Bolt targets 100,000 autonomous vehicles
Market Reality Check
$11.94
Last Close
Volume
Volume 5,956,668 vs 20‑day average 13,594,506 ahead of the announcement
low
Technical
Price 11.94 is trading above the 200‑day moving average of 10.26 prior to the news
Peers on Argus
Ahead of the partnership announcement, STLA slipped 0.91% while peers such as LI, F, XPEV and RIVN posted modest gains (0.48%–2.7%). Honda Motor was down 0.2%, indicating mixed, stock‑specific moves rather than a clear sector trend.
Common Catalyst
Partnership activity is surfacing across the sector, with Ford unveiling a European strategic alliance on the same day.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 05 | Employee share plan | Positive | +1.8% | Employee purchase plan boosts ownership and coincides with modest price gain. |
| Dec 04 | Marketing campaign | Positive | +3.3% | Mopar holiday promotion aligns with a stronger daily rise. |
| Dec 02 | Product launch | Positive | +2.8% | Launch of high‑horsepower Charger R/T associated with a price increase. |
| Dec 01 | Brand campaign | Neutral | -0.1% | Chrysler holiday campaign and centenary tie‑in with essentially flat reaction. |
| Dec 01 | Investor conference | Neutral | -0.1% | CEO’s upcoming conference appearance leaves shares unchanged. |
Recent news skewed toward marketing, product launches, and employee ownership has generally coincided with modest positive price reactions.
Over the past weeks, Stellantis’ announcements have centered on employee engagement, brand marketing and new model roll‑outs. The “Shares to Win” plan lifted employee ownership to 2.8% of capital, coinciding with a 1.77% share uptick. Product and marketing updates from Mopar, Dodge and Chrysler generated modest gains, while a CEO conference had negligible impact. Today’s driverless mobility partnership extends this pattern of strategic disclosures, now emphasizing autonomous technology and European ride‑hailing deployment.
Market Pulse Summary
The non‑binding memorandum of understanding outlines a partnership between Stellantis and Bolt to deploy Level 4 autonomous vehicles across Europe, with trials slated for 2026 and an initial production target in 2029. The deal expands Stellantis’ driverless mobility ecosystem and supports Bolt’s 100,000‑vehicle ambition for 2035. Investors will watch regulatory clearance, the transition from MOU to definitive contracts, and how the collaboration dovetails with Stellantis’ broader electrification and connectivity roadmap.
Key Terms
cybersecurity
technical
Safety, reliability, and cybersecurity standards in Europe are integral to autonomous‑vehicle roll‑out. Robust cyber defenses protect vehicle control systems, data streams, and passenger privacy, reducing the risk of costly breaches and fostering public trust.
memorandum of understanding
regulatory
An MOU signals mutual intent without creating enforceable obligations. For investors, it indicates that the parties are serious about collaboration, but commercial terms, risk allocation and revenue expectations remain to be defined in subsequent binding agreements.
AI‑generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Stellantis and Bolt Partner to Advance Large‑Scale Deployment of Driverless Mobility in Europe
- Collaboration leverages Stellantis’ AV‑Ready Platforms™ for scalable Level 4 driverless deployment.
- Partnership marks the next step in Bolt’s goal of 100,000 autonomous vehicles on its platform by 2035.
- Both companies commit to the highest safety, reliability and cybersecurity standards in Europe.
- Trials are slated to begin in European countries in 2026.
AMSTERDAM and TALLINN, Estonia – December 9, 2025 – Stellantis and Bolt, Europe’s leading mobility platform, announced a partnership to jointly explore Level 4 autonomous‑vehicle development and commercial deployment across Europe.
The collaboration will marry Stellantis’ AV‑Ready Platforms™—the eK0 medium‑size van and the STLA Small platform—with Bolt’s expansive ride‑hailing network, which operates in more than 50 countries, including 23 EU Member States. Bolt plans to integrate these autonomous vans into its shared‑mobility service, offering fully driverless rides to passengers.
Stellantis’ AV‑Ready Platforms™ are built for flexibility and cost efficiency. They embed high‑performance computing, advanced sensor suites and redundant safety systems, meeting stringent European safety and reliability requirements while keeping total cost of ownership low for fleet operators.
Test‑vehicle deployments will commence in 2026, following a phased approach that moves from prototype validation to pilot fleets and, ultimately, to industrial‑scale production targeted for 2029.
Both parties will work closely with European regulators to ensure testing, certification and large‑scale rollout comply with safety, data‑protection and cybersecurity standards.
Strategic Significance
For Stellantis, the alliance broadens its European partner ecosystem and accelerates its global driverless‑mobility strategy, leveraging platforms designed for safe, reliable Level 4 deployment at scale. For Bolt, the deal is a pivotal step toward its 100,000‑vehicle autonomous fleet target for 2035, positioning the company as a front‑runner in Europe’s shared‑mobility transformation.
Executive Perspectives
Antonio Filosa, CEO – Stellantis said: “Our AV‑Ready Platforms™ are engineered for maximum flexibility, enabling us to deliver the best possible experience for European customers. Autonomous fleets can also reduce carbon footprints by optimizing shared mobility, cutting congestion and emissions. Partnering with Bolt brings this vision closer to reality, combining our engineering expertise with their operational reach to make driverless mobility a trusted part of everyday life in Europe.”
Markus Villig, Founder and CEO – Bolt said: “This partnership brings together two companies that understand the specific dynamics of operating in Europe. By combining Stellantis’ AV‑Ready Platforms™ with our operational expertise, we aim to create the best autonomous‑vehicle offering tailored for European needs and standards, ultimately serving millions of users. The partnership marks the next step in our ambition to have 100,000 autonomous vehicles on the Bolt platform by 2035.”
Legal Disclaimer
The memorandum of understanding is non‑binding and reflects the current intent of the parties. Future commercial terms, roles and responsibilities will be formalized in separate definitive agreements, subject to regulatory approvals and mutually agreed technical and operational conditions.
About Stellantis
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) is a global automaker with a portfolio that includes Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. The company focuses on delivering freedom of movement through electrification, connectivity and autonomous‑driving technologies.
About Bolt
Bolt is a European shared‑mobility platform active in over 50 countries and 600 cities, offering ride‑hailing, scooters, e‑bikes and car rentals to more than 200 million customers. With over 4.5 million drivers on its platform, Bolt aims to accelerate the shift from privately owned cars to shared mobility solutions.
FAQ
What did Stellantis and Bolt announce on December 9, 2025 regarding driverless vehicles?
They announced a partnership to explore Level 4 driverless vehicle deployment in Europe, combining Stellantis’ AV‑Ready Platforms with Bolt’s mobility network.
When will Stellantis and Bolt begin trials of autonomous vehicles in Europe?
The companies plan to start deploying test vehicles for trials in European countries in 2026.
What is the production and deployment timeline in the Stellantis–Bolt partnership?
Deployment follows a phased approach with an initial production target in 2029.
How many autonomous vehicles does Bolt aim to have on its platform by 2035?
Bolt aims to field 100,000 autonomous vehicles by 2035.
Which Stellantis platforms will be used in the Bolt partnership?
The partnership will use Stellantis’ eK0 medium van and STLA Small platforms.
Are the Stellantis–Bolt commercial terms finalized for autonomous deployment?
No. The memorandum of understanding is non‑binding; commercial terms will be defined in separate definitive agreements and subject to regulatory approval.
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