Leapmotor’s entry into Europe is a strategic move designed to increase global sales of high-tech, cost-efficient Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs) outside of Greater China.
03 Oct 2024 | 701 Views | By Autocar Pro News Desk
Stellantis-backed Chinese EV brand Leapmotor International has opened orders in Europe for its all-electric T03 city car and C10 SUV. While the Leapmotor T03 has 94bhp and a range of 165 miles / 265 kilometres, the C10 is a D-segment SUV, or what is called a large family car with ...
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Stellantis-backed Chinese EV brand Leapmotor International has opened orders in Europe for its all-electric T03 city car and C10 SUV. While the Leapmotor T03 has 94bhp and a range of 165 miles / 265 kilometres, the C10 is a D-segment SUV, or what is called a large family car with 420km range, targeted at the Tesla Model Y, a high seller in Europe.
At the end of July, the company exported the first batch of Leapmotor electric vehicles – C10 SUVs and T03 cars – from Shanghai, China, to European ports. The all-electric T03 hatchback and C10 SUV are the very same models that Leapmotor and Stellantis are likely to introduce in India.
Leapmotor International is the new joint venture between Leapmotor and multinational car-making giant Stellantis, with ownership split 49:51.
Although production of the T03 has already started at the former Fiat 500 plant in Tychy, Poland, all UK-bound Leapmotors will be imported from China, with the first deliveries slated to begin in December.
Leapmotor’s entry into Europe is a strategic move designed to increase global sales of high-tech, cost-efficient Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs) outside of Greater China.
“This unique partnership in the automotive industry offers European buyers access to advanced, high-value BEV technology, bolstered by the organizational and retail support of Stellantis for a customer-focused ownership experience that sets Leapmotor International apart from other Chinese competitors,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “Thanks to the powerful Stellantis parts distribution system, Leapmotor’s customers will benefit from an unrivalled level of service, which is an important differentiator. We have created a very efficient partnership with Leapmotor that is designed to bring value to our European customers first and to our long-term sustainability.”
“Leapmotor is a technology-focused company dedicated to R&D and vertical integration. We aim to utilize our technological and scalability advantages to collaborate with Stellantis, offering consumers worldwide accessible, high quality electric mobility solutions,” said Leapmotor Founder, Chairman and CEO Zhu Jiangming.
Initial markets for Leapmotor vehicles in Europe will be Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, The Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. Leapmotor International plans to expand distribution to Middle East & Africa (Israel and overseas French territories), Asia Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and Nepal), and South America (Brazil and Chile) from Q4 this year.