Stellantis-backed Chinese automaker Leapmotor to deliver budget EVs in Europe

Stellantis reportedly considers manufacturing Leapmotor EVs in Italy. Credit: Stellantis

Electric vehicle maker Leapmotor will begin delivering its T03 compact car in September, followed by the availability of the larger C10 sports utility vehicle in October in Europe, a year after Stellantis announced it had acquired a 20% stake in the Chinese startup. The prices of the imported T03 compact crossover and the C10 SUV have more than doubled to €18,900 and €36,400 ($20,990 and $40,633), respectively, from their prices at home. Leapmotor and Stellantis will produce the vehicles via a joint venture, which is 51% owned by the European auto giant, with plans to begin assembling the T03 EVs at Stellantis’ Tychy plant in Poland later this year. This will probably allow the brand to bypass additional European Union tariffs on Chinese EV imports, Reuters reported. [Reuters]