Leapmotor EV sales to include NZ and Australia

Stellantis-led Chinese EV company Leapmotor International aims to expand globally, starting in nine European countries from September this year.

It expects to have 200 points of sales there by the end of the year with plans to expand to India and Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America starting in the fourth quarter.

T03 and C10 models will launch first with at least one new model to be introduced every year in the next three years, says Leapmotor International.

It says the T03 is an urban savvy A-segment competitive EV featuring 265km (WLTP) range with B-segment comparable interior space.

The C10 stands as a fully equipped, family-centric D-segment vehicle with a premium ride and handling experience, featuring 420km (WLTP) range and a top five-star E-NCAP safety rating.

Stellantis N.V. and Leapmotor say they have received all required authorisations and the formation of Leapmotor International B.V., a 51/49 Stellantis-led joint venture, is now complete.

Headquartered in Amsterdam, the management team led by chief executive Tianshu Xin, a former Stellantis China executive, are now laying the groundwork for a successful introduction of the T03 and C10.

Leapmotor International has exclusive rights for the export and sale, as well as manufacturing, of Leapmotor products outside Greater China.

The partnership aims to further boost Leapmotor’s sales in China while leveraging Stellantis’ established global commercial presence to significantly accelerate Leapmotor brand sales in other regions.

 “The creation of Leapmotor International is a great step forward in helping address the urgent global warming issue with state-of-the-art BEV (battery electric vehicle) models that will compete with existing Chinese brands in key markets around the world,” says Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares.

“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 Jiangming Zhu says leveraging Leapmotor’s cutting-edge technology and products along with Stellantis’ support in areas such as overseas channels, services, and marketing will enable global EV sales.

“We believe that this cooperation can give Leapmotor a boost to become a respected world-class intelligent electric vehicle company.”

The launch plan will begin in Europe – France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Greece, Romania – starting in September 2024 supported by dedicated country managers and 200 points of sales by the end of the year, including Stellantis &You locations, ramping up to 500 by 2026 to ensure a high level of service for customers.

In late 2024, the Leapmotor product launch roll-out will expand to the Middle East and Africa (Turkey, Israel and French Overseas), India and Asia Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and India), and South America (Brazil and Chile).