Leapmotor Coming Here as Cheapest EV Yet?

Chinese EV maker, Leapmotor, and Stellantis have announced that the two companies have formed Leapmotor International. It is a Stellantis-led joint venture that will be headquartered in Amsterdam. Big deal you say? Maybe, except that after the business rolls out across Europe, it will expand all the way down here. And Leapmotor EVs promise to be new price point leaders everywhere they launch.

After establishing 200 dealers across Europe, Leapmotor will, er, make the leap across to the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia Pacific, and South America, all before the end of this year. The aim in Europe is to have 500 dealerships eventually.

Laying the global foundations for the launch of the T03 city car and C10 medium-sized SUV is ex-Stellantis China executive Tianshu Xin. He is now CEO of Leapmotor International. It will have the rights not only for sale of Leapmotor product but also for manufacture outside of China (T03 will be built in Poland). The company also wants to boost sales within China, according to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. Stellantis owns 21 per cent of Leapmotor.

Tavares said “Leveraging our existing global presence, we will soon be able to offer our customers price competitive and tech-centric electric vehicles that will exceed their expectations. 

 “Under Tianshu Xin’s leadership, they have built a compelling worldwide commercial and industrial strategy to quickly ramp-up the sales distribution channels to support Leapmotor’s robust growth and create value for both partners.” 

Leapmotor founder, chairman and chief executive officer Jiangming Zhu said “Leveraging Leapmotor’s cutting-edge technology and products, along with Stellantis’ support…we hope that users around the world can experience the exceptional driving and riding experience brought by Leapmotor products.” 

The T03 is tiny, at 3620mm long, has 70kW output and 266km of range from its 34kWh battery. 

The C10 is a Model Y rival with 170kW of power and 320Nm of torque. As an entry-point model C10 has a 53kWh battery pack and range of 410km. It will be imported from China. 

Stellantis has taken the Leapmotor plunge to avoid penalties imposed by Britain’s new zero-emission vehicle mandate. In 2024, 22 per cent of new car sales must be electric, and the percentage increases yearly thereafter.

Tavares warned the scheme could wipe out the UK’s automotive industry by forcing manufacturers to sell EVs at a loss. However, he added that Leapmotor expansion plans are “a great step forward in helping address the urgent global warming issue”.

“We will soon be able to offer our customers price competitive and tech-centric electric vehicles that will exceed their expectations.”