Stellantis has bought 20% in Leapmotor and entered into cooperation on the distribution of cars in Europe and probably also the production of Leapmotor T03 in Poland.
Leapmotor T03
With 5 years in operation, Leapmotor is one of several start-up car manufacturers from China. Their best-selling model is the T03 – a car in the A-segment with a length of 3,6 metres. It is the first of two models to be rolled out in the fall, and it is the which can be put into production in Stellantis' production facility in Tychy, Poland, in the summer.
A stuffed animal on 4 wheels
We probably won't see Leapmotor in Norway anytime soon, as Norway is not on the list of countries Stellantis wants to cover, but it cannot be ruled out that an independent Norwegian dealer chain casts its eyes on the car brand. Honestly, I don't think the little T03 will appeal to very many customers here. First and foremost because cars in the A segment are not as popular as on the continent. In addition, one can probably also add that T03 is a little too much aimed at Chinese tastes. In "pig pink" colour, it is reminiscent of a stuffed animal on 4 wheels - and that narrows down the target group quite a bit.
Leapmotor C10
More interesting for Norway is the Leapmotor C10. It was launched last year and is already on sale in China. This will be one of the models Stellantis will distribute in Europe from September this year. When Leapmotor launched the C10, they announced that it would be equipped with the company's brand new EV platform LEAP3.0 with CTC Cell-to-Chassis technology. In short, the battery cells are then integrated into the car's chassis in a way that helps to stiffen the undercarriage and bodywork, while freeing up interior space. In the marketing, emphasis is placed on flexible seating arrangements, including the possibility of making a bed.
Collaboration on technology?
Leapmotor has previously announced that they don't just want to be car manufacturer, but also sell technology to other car manufacturers. It has been known for several months that Stellantis has been in negotiations with Leapmotor. We therefore think that Stellantis may have plans to implement technology from Leapmotor in its own models. These speculations are hardly less relevant today.
Under 20 € 000
In European cities with high car density, cars in the A segment are very popular. Then it's a shame that there are so few good electric small cars. Today's Leapmotor T03 has a range of 280 km WLTP combined - while the cars to be produced in Poland will get 265 km. This opens the question of whether there will be a revised - or new edition of the model - or whether the range has just been remeasured. Stellantis has only one electric car in this segment – the Fiat 500e. It is A-class premium and thus significantly higher priced than the Leapmotor T03. The two models are unlikely to conflict with each other. With a price below €20.000, the biggest competitor will be Dacia spring - a car that received only 1 star in Euro NCAP's crash tests in 2021. The cars from Leapmotor have not yet been tested by Euro NCAP.
To Norway in 2026?
In France, Leapmotor is currently sold through the French company SN Diffusion who also sell Seres. During September, Stellantis will sell Leapmotor T03 and C10 through 200 dealers in 9 countries (not Norway) and during 2026 the dealer network will be increased to 500. Maybe then they will come to Norway too? It remains to be seen.
Facts Leapmotor C10
Length, width, height: 474 x 190 x 168 cm
Net weight: 1940 kg (of which 550 kg for batteries)
Batteries: LFP 69,6 kWh
Battery manufacturer: CALB
Engine: Single engine 231 hp
Operation: RWD
Range: 530 km (likely CLTC - not WLTP)
Source: Car News China
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