In response to the arrival of low cost Chinese language EVs, the US and EU have instituted varied measures to favor domestically manufactured autos—together with, most not too long ago, steep new tariffs. It stays to be seen what the long-term outcomes of those insurance policies will likely be, however the westward seepage of Chinese language-made autos continues.
Leapmotor Worldwide, a 51/49 three way partnership between Stellantis and Chinese language automaker Leapmotor, shipped its first batch of Leapmotor autos—C10 SUVs and T03 vehicles—from Shanghai to European ports this month.
The Leapmotor T03 is “a small five-door, A-segment city commuter automobile” that options 265 km of vary (WLTP). The C10 is a five-seat SUV that is available in each battery-electric car and plug-in hybrid variations.
“The cargo of Leapmotor C10 and T03 autos to Europe this month is a landmark second within the partnership between Stellantis and Leapmotor,” mentioned Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “Counting on Stellantis’s sturdy enterprise property in Europe and the onerous work of our corporations’ groups on guaranteeing product innovation and high quality, I strongly imagine that Leapmotor’s electrical autos will likely be broadly accepted by European prospects.”
“China is the largest and best EV market on the earth, and our merchandise have proved their worth by being acclaimed by the native prospects,” mentioned Leapmotor founder and CEO Zhu Jiangming. “The C10 and T03 fashions are designed to satisfy the excessive requirements of worldwide prospects, and we’re assured that the collaboration between Stellantis and Leapmotor will drive vital progress for each corporations.”
The Leapmotor Worldwide JV had 200 stores in Europe on the finish of 2024, and plans to extend that quantity to 500 by 2026. The corporate additionally plans to broaden its attain to the Center East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and South American areas in late 2024.
Supply: Stellantis
