Leapmotor positions itself in Europe as a “technology brand”
Image: Leapmotor
With the introduction of the B03 model, electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor has completed its model lineup in Europe. Danilo Annese, CEO of Leapmotor International, said in an interview with Automobilwoche that the Chinese company is now represented in all relevant key European segments with this compact car. Previously, the brand, which works closely with the European Stellantis group, launched the battery-powered compact car T03 and the fully and partially electric mid-size SUV C10.
The portfolio will be expanded with additional electric models such as the B03X, B05, and B10 (fully/partially electric). Special emphasis will be placed on the technological features, said Annese. The D19 vehicle was recently unveiled internationally and is intended to represent a global interpretation of a luxury SUV. Global sales of this model are planned to begin early next year, though its availability in Europe is not necessarily guaranteed.
According to Annese, the brand positions itself with the core promise of offering “accessible technology for everyone.” “One of the biggest barriers to electric mobility has been price so far. If we can offer electric vehicles at costs comparable to those of internal combustion engines, switching will become attractive to many people,” said the manager. In countries like Germany and France, acceptance of battery-electric vehicles is growing faster than expected just a year ago.
The production of the B10 model has already begun in the Spanish city of Zaragoza. According to the CEO, the choice of this European location is not primarily due to the additional EU tariffs on electric vehicles manufactured in China, introduced in 2024, but rather because of its proximity to customers, shorter delivery times, and more efficient supply chains. The company also plans to establish local production for the B05 model in the near future.
In Europe, the brand is perceived as a “technology brand,” according to Annese. Through its joint venture with Stellantis for distribution in Europe, Leapmotor combines modern Chinese technology with the market presence of this established automaker. Customers benefit from innovative technology, new production methods, and a well-established dealer network. In Germany, the brand has over 130 distribution partners.
Stellantis has also invested directly in Leapmotor. The Chinese company generated a large share of new customers for its European partner, according to Annese. Internal analyses showed that over 80 percent of the buyers were not previously Stellantis customers. Leapmotor utilizes Stellantis’ existing production capacity wherever it is economically viable. For the future, the company focuses on further growth through attractive electric and hybrid models. Annese declined to provide specific targets for the coming year.
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Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.
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