AECS is the Spanish Association of Stellantis Dealerships (Asociación Española de Concesionarios Stellantis), officially created in 2026 to unify the representation of several of the group's networks. Its creation is a good example of how association structures change when manufacturers' organisation changes.
How AECS came about
In February 2026 Faconauto announced the approval of the new association through the absorption of three organisations:
National Association of Opel Dealerships (Asociación Nacional de Concesionarios Opel);
Spanish Association of Peugeot Dealerships (Asociación Española de Concesionarios Peugeot);
Spanish Association of Leapmotor Dealerships (Asociación Española de Concesionarios Leapmotor).
The stated aim was to build a single voice towards Stellantis and the institutional environment.
What changes with the integration
The new structure unifies the tax ID (CIF), board of directors and operations. According to the published information, the integration seeks to optimise resources, strengthen negotiating power and give members equal rights.
In June 2026 AECS held its first General Assembly and elected its presidency and board of directors for the 2026-2029 term.
Why it makes sense to group networks from the same manufacturer
Car groups increasingly share platforms, technology, processes and sales strategy across brands. If the manufacturer's organisation is integrated, keeping completely separate associations can create duplication.
A common structure makes it easier to work on cross-cutting issues such as:
profitability;
electrification;
distribution contracts;
investments;
digitalisation;
relationship with the brand.
Do the identities of each brand disappear?
Not necessarily at a commercial level. Peugeot, Opel and Leapmotor remain different brands. What is unified is the association structure that represents their dealerships within Stellantis.
That is why it is worth distinguishing between the brand's commercial identity and the dealerships' business organisation.
You can read more about the transition in the specific articles on Peugeot, Opel and Leapmotor.
The relationship with AECOVI
AECOVI does not represent dealerships before a brand and, therefore, does not replace this association. Its role lies in another part of the business: used vehicles, digitalisation and peer learning. For a dealership with a used vehicle business, it can be useful to compare practices with operators from other networks and independent dealers, whilst keeping the brand association as a specific representation channel.
Related reading
Editorial note
This content is part of AECOVI, a private and free association and community promoted by Dealcar—a software company for used car traders and dealerships—with the goal of sharing knowledge, educating, and helping to digitalise and professionalise the independent used vehicle market. Learn about the initiative.
