Stellantis-brand vehicle dealers throughout Europe are now taking orders for fully electric vehicles from Leapmotor International, the 51:49 joint venture between
Stellantis and
Leapmotor, with deliveries set for later this year. The launch of dealer orders is focused on growing global sales of Chinese new-energy vehicles (NEVs) outside of Greater China, and was achieved in just under one year since the joint venture was formed, concurrent with Stellantis investing 1.5 billion euros to acquire about 21% of Leapmotor.
Carlos Tavares, Stellantis’s CEO, said: “This unique partnership in the automotive industry offers European buyers access to advanced, high-value BEV technology, bolstered by the organisational and retail support of Stellantis for a customer-focused ownership experience that sets Leapmotor International apart from other Chinese competitors ... we have created a very efficient partnership with Leapmotor, one that is designed to bring value to our European customers and to our long-term sustainability.”
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, with plans to considerably expand distribution from Q4 this year. Leapmotor is launching in Europe with two models: the T03, a five-door A-segment compact car with 265km of range; and the C10, a D-segment SUV with 420km of range.
Stellantis says the launch of Leapmotor vehicles in Europe complements and broadens the portfolio of Stellantis brands ‘to cover a full range of customer needs and price points’, adding that alongside this ‘strategic move’ it remains committed to an ‘asset-light’ business model for its foreign brands in China.