European roads will soon be richer for two new models brought to the market by the collaboration between Stellantis and the Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor. These are the T03 and C10 models, which promise to brighten up the automotive scene and bring a breath of fresh air to the electric vehicle segment.
Autumn will be very exciting for European car lovers, as a pair of new electric vehicles are coming from Stellantis and China's Leapmotor. This strategic move is part of Stellantis' broader strategy of investing in electromobility and expanding its market beyond traditional borders.
Leapmotor T03: A city kid with a big heart
The T03, which is a compact city car, is now expected to be priced around €15,000 in Europe. (around 10,000 euros in China) This extremely affordable price would position the T03 as one of the most competitive electric vehicles on the market, which could greatly increase its appeal to a wide range of European buyers looking for an affordable entry into the world of electric vehicles.
Leapmotor C10: SUV for world roads
The Leapmotor C10 is the first model that was specially designed for the global market. With a length of 4.74 meters and a height of 1.68 meters, this mid-sized SUV will compete with models such as the Tesla Model Y. It is equipped with a powerful 70 kWh battery and a powerful 170 kW electric motor that provides rear-wheel drive and enables range up to 420 km according to WLTP. For those looking for additional safety and autonomy, there will also be a version with an extended-range generator that allows an additional 140 km of electric range.
The Leapmotor C10, a medium-sized SUV, remains in the expected price range of around 30,000 euros. This price makes it an attractive option for buyers looking for a larger and more powerful electric vehicle with good driving characteristics and modern technology, but at a more affordable price compared to some competitors in the same segment.
A joint venture and ambitious plans
Both vehicles are the fruit of a new joint venture led by Stellantis and Leapmotor, based in Amsterdam. Ambitions are high, as they plan to gradually increase the number of sellers from the current 200 to 500 by 2026, thereby strengthening their presence in the global market.
The cooperation between Stellantis and the Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor is a strategic move that combines the knowledge and resources of both companies with the aim of strengthening their presence in the global electric vehicle market. As part of this partnership, officially sealed by the creation of a joint venture (Stellantis has 51 %, Leapmotor 49 % share), Stellantis invests about 1.5 billion euros in Leapmotor for a 21% stake, which brings financial and technological support. This synergy gives Stellantis access to affordable electric vehicles that it does not manufacture itself, while Leapmotor leverages Stellantis' extensive distribution network to expand into European and other markets. It is important to note that the partnership also emphasizes the joint development and production of new models, with which both partners aim to better adapt to the market's needs for innovative and sustainable transport solutions. Technology sharing and pooling of engineering capabilities are key to achieving these goals, as the joint venture plans to expand offerings and improve technologies, bringing a new level of innovation and competitiveness to the automotive industry.
Conclusion: a Trojan horse on the European market
With their approach, Stellantis and Leapmotor not only bring freshness to the electric vehicle segment, but also offer innovative solutions at affordable prices. By investing in new technologies and expanding their market presence on a global level, they promise to have a strong impact on the future of mobility. The price, which will be accessible to a wider range of consumers, and the promising technical specifications will certainly attract a lot of interest, especially in light of the growing demand for more ecologically acceptable transport solutions.
