China’s Leapmotor and Stellantis Begin Accepting Orders in Europe for Affordable EVs, According to Reuters

Milan (Reuters) – Leapmotor, a Chinese automotive manufacturer, is gearing up to begin taking orders in Europe for its city car and SUV, as announced by the company and its partner Stellantis. This move marks an expansion of their budget electric vehicle (EV) offerings in the region.

Stellantis, which holds a 51% stake in the Leapmotor International joint venture, has secured exclusive rights to manufacture, export, and sell Leapmotor products outside of China, representing a unique collaboration for a traditional Western automaker.

The T03 compact car is set to launch at the end of September with a starting price of €18,900 (approximately $20,990), while the C10 SUV will be available in dealerships starting in October with prices starting at €36,400, according to the joint venture’s statement.

Both models were presented for the first time in Europe near Milan on Tuesday.

Initially to be imported from China, the T03 will also be assembled in Europe, specifically at Stellantis’ Tychy plant in Poland. This local assembly could help the brand bypass European Union tariffs on EVs imported from China.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has suggested that the C10 model may also be manufactured in Europe, although he has not shared specific details about the plans.

Leapmotor, which will become Stellantis’ 15th brand, will play a role in expanding the automaker’s range of affordable EVs. This effort aligns with the company’s electrification strategy and compliance with EU emission regulations, particularly in light of soft global demand for electric vehicles.

Tavares has expressed opposition to the European auto lobby’s call for relief from intermediate CO2 targets for cars and vans, which are set to take effect in 2025. He emphasized the importance of the industry being able to sell EVs at prices comparable to traditional gasoline models.