Stellantis recently announced that Leapmotor, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, will make its entry into the Malaysian automotive market this year. Positioned as an affordable EV brand, Leapmotor is poised to introduce its first model, the T03 electric hatchback, in Malaysia, according to a report by CarNewsChina.
Established in 2015, Leapmotor is a relatively young Chinese startup that commenced car sales in its domestic market in 2018. The company's current lineup includes four models: the C10 and C11 crossovers, the C01 sedan, and the T03 hatchback. Impressively, Leapmotor achieved sales of over 144,000 electric cars in China in 2023, underscoring its growing presence and market share in the rapidly expanding EV sector.
In a significant move, Leapmotor entered into a strategic partnership with Stellantis, the world's fourth-largest automaker, encompassing renowned brands such as Jeep, Citroen, Peugeot, Chrysler, Maserati, and RAM. This collaboration led to the formation of Leapmotor International, a joint venture in which Stellantis holds a majority stake of 51% while Leapmotor retains 49%. The primary objective of this partnership is to facilitate the export of Leapmotor vehicles to international markets. Notably, there were previous reports indicating Stellantis' plans to manufacture Leapmotor EVs in Poland.
On April 4, Stellantis divulged further details about its expansion plans for Malaysia in 2024. Having initiated operations in the country just last month, Stellantis aims to reinvigorate iconic automotive brands in Malaysia. Jeep, Peugeot, and Citroen are positioned within distinct market segments, targeting "professional lifestyle," "upper mainstream," and "mass market" segments, respectively. Additionally, Stellantis confirmed Leapmotor's entry into the Malaysian market as an affordable EV brand.
Daniel Gonzalez, Chief Operating Officer for ASEAN at Stellantis, shared insights with Paultan media regarding the company's efforts to introduce the Leapmotor brand to Malaysia this year. He emphasized that Stellantis Malaysia is actively engaged in strategizing the positioning and pricing of the Peugeot e-2008 in relation to the forthcoming Leapmotor brand.
It appears that Leapmotor will initiate its foray into the Malaysian market with the introduction of the T03 electric hatchback, followed possibly by the introduction of the Leapmotor C10 crossover. Describing the T03, it is a compact urban vehicle with dimensions measuring 3620/1652/1605 mm and a wheelbase of 2400 mm. Featuring three e-motor variants with power outputs of 40 kW, 55 kW, and 80 kW, it offers flexibility with three battery options ranging from 21.6 kWh to 41.3 kWh, providing a commendable range of 200 to 403 km. In China, its price range spans from $6,900 to $12,425, making it an attractive option in the affordable EV segment.