Leapmotor: how Chinese electric cars sold by Stellantis could become even more affordable

Leapmotor is not one of the largest Chinese car manufacturers, on the contrary, but intends to take a place of choice in Europe thanks to its partnership with Stellantis, which provides the distribution of its international cars. The brand is also counting on ultra-aggressive rates to tackle competition, including Chinese.

Thus, when Stellantis started marketing the electric cars of Leapmotor in France in 2024, the mini-city T03 was announced at only € 14,900 deducted bonuses. To reach such a feat, Stellantis assembled the T03 in Poland, from kits produced in China (SKD), but the government quickly excluded this practice from the conditions of eligibility for the bonus.

Never mind, Leapmotor’s development strategy in Europe was based on the next production of its cars on the old continent, a solution studied by all Chinese brands with serious ambitions on our market. Indeed, electric cars produced in China must now pay significant customs duties when they entered the European Union (EU), which greatly penalizes their competitiveness.

According to information from the Chinese media Fnews.comLeapmotor is preparing to produce his first electric cars on European soil in Spain in the third quarter of 2026. They would be assembled in Zaragosse, in a Stellantis factory.

SUV B10 first, then the B05 sedan

The first models to be produced should be the compact B10 SUV, about to be launched in Europe, followed by the compact sedan B05, which will be presented in a few days. Despite necessarily higher production costs, they will thus escape EU customs duties and could claim the “electrical private vehicles” boost in France, which replaces the ecological bonus.

Initially, the Mini Citadine T03, in any case aging, and the family SUV C10 will therefore not see their production repatriated in Europe. Hopefully the production in Spain of the B10 and B05 will allow them to display even more aggressive prices than what Leapmotor has accustomed us, or at least to maintain their affordable positioning. The B10, imported from China at its launch, will be sold in Europe from € 29,900, already much cheaper than its European rivals.