Today, some of our leadership team comprising Head of Procurement Harrison Walsh, Head of Strategy Christian Butschok-Brain and I attended the Stellantis Showcase at the Manchester Motor Show, sponsored by Auto Trader.
It was a brilliant opportunity to step away from screens and spend proper time around the Stellantis team from brand M.D's to other key staff, some of there partners and also the range of latest vehicles — seeing the breadth of vehicles up close, chatting with the teams behind the brands, and getting a feel for what’s coming next across the Stellantis group. We even managed to have a play with their fun activities from racing sims to golf simulators too!
And yes… it was one of those events where you’re reminded that some things are still under wraps, our favourite vehicles of the day are the new [REDACTED], [REDACTED] and the [REDACTED]. Yes, sadly they’re redacted, you’ll have to get yourself down to the showcase to see for yourself. Our cameras weren’t exactly given a free pass everywhere, we even had our cameras covered with stickers. But we did manage to grab some great shots in the areas we could.
A bright and exciting 2026 ahead
Stellantis brought together the full line-up with representatives from each brand providing presentations on the latest insights and what the future looks like across their fleet. It feels like 2026 is shaping up to be a strong year with fresh products, clear direction, and plenty to get excited about for business and personal drivers alike. Bravo to the Stellantis UK team, if this sets the bar for manufacturer conferences and events in 2026 its the highest bar we have ever seen!
Brands represented included:
- Vauxhall
- Peugeot
- Citroën
- DS
- Leapmotor
- Fiat
- Jeep
- Abarth
- Alfa Romeo
Key takeaways from the day:
- Vauxhall becomes the official automotive partner of Team GB, going into Olympics
- Vauxhall are bringing back the Astra, which BIG news for Astra fanatics
- There will be a whole new line up for commercial focussing on custom-fit which will help reduce lead times for customers
- Showcased the Formula E-Car and it's a beauty
A special mention has to go to the Citroën Ami.
It’s genuinely one of the most fun things we’ve seen in a while — small, simple, and full of character. It’s the kind of vehicle that makes you smile the moment you see it, and it’s a great reminder that not every bit of innovation needs to feel serious to be smart. We had a game of how many Brokers can you fit in an Ami... it was 3.
For us at Leasing Options, days like today are valuable because they help us stay close to what’s happening across the market — not just reading about it afterwards, but seeing the vehicles in person and understanding where manufacturers are heading.
If today was anything to go by, there’s a lot to look forward to from Stellantis in 2026 — and we’ll be keeping a close eye on what lands in the UK and when.
