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Leapmotor, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand, is making its way to Malaysia, marking its first foray into the Southeast Asian market. The brand, founded in 2015, will commence local assembly of its vehicles at the Stellantis Gurun plant in Kedah by the end of 2025.
The announcement was made on April 18, 2025, with the Leapmotor C10 electric crossover SUV slated to be the first model to be assembled locally. The first locally assembled unit is set to roll off the line on August 7, 2025, paving the way for mass production.
The Gurun plant, which has a capacity of 60,000 units, has received an initial investment of €5 million (approximately RM24.5 million). The production volume is aimed at roughly 2,400 units per year per model, positioning Malaysia as the ASEAN hub and enabling exports within the region.
Following the C10, the smaller B10 model, which can be inferred as the Leapmotor T03 equivalent, is planned for full Completely Knocked Down (CKD) assembly possibly in 2026. Leapmotor's strategy includes deepening localization and maintaining pricing advantages even if tax incentives phase out.
This expansion is part of a broader multi-brand strategy by Stellantis, featuring a "Brand House" retail model that offers multiple marques under one roof. Malaysia is now moving to Stage One of this initiative, with Leapmotor being sold alongside other Stellantis brands through a selective dealer network based on demographics.
The Leapmotor brand is poised to enter Malaysia as an affordable EV brand, aligning with Stellantis' plans to revive iconic brands such as Jeep, Peugeot, and Citroen in the country.
Key Timeline Points
- April 18, 2025: Announcement of Leapmotor C10 local assembly project at Gurun plant.
- August 7, 2025: First locally assembled Leapmotor C10 rolled off the line.
- End of 2025: Local assembly of Leapmotor C10 starts, with a production target near 2,400 units/year.
- 2026: Deeper localization and CKD assembly for the smaller model (B10/T03-like).
Leapmotor has been selling cars in China since 2018 and currently offers four vehicles: C10, C11 crossovers, C01 sedan, and T03 hatchback. The T03, which offers three e-motor variants (40 kW, 55 kW, and 80 kW) and three battery options (21.6 kWh, 31.9 kWh, and 41.3 kWh), will be the first model to launch in Malaysia, with the Leapmotor C10 expected to follow later.
It's worth noting that Stellantis holds 51% of Leapmotor International, a joint venture focused on exporting cars to overseas markets, while Leapmotor holds 49%. This strategic cooperation agreement includes brands such as Jeep, Citroen, Peugeot, Chrysler, Maserati, RAM, and more.
In addition to its focus on the Malaysian market, Leapmotor is also expanding into battery pack supply for other manufacturers. The price range of the Leapmotor T03 in China is 6,900 - 12,425 USD, positioning it as an affordable EV brand.
Sources:
[1] Reuters [2] SoyaCincau [3] paultan.org [4] The Edge Markets
- Leapmotor, an electric vehicle (EV) brand from China, is set to commence local assembly of its vehicles at the Stellantis Gurun plant in Kedah by the end of 2025, marking its entry into the Southeast Asian market.
- The first locally assembled Leapmotor unit, the C10 electric crossover SUV, will roll off the line on August 7, 2025, and Malaysia is aiming to produce roughly 2,400 units each year per model.
- Following the C10, the smaller B10 model, resembling the Leapmotor T03, is planned for full Completely Knocked Down (CKD) assembly likely in 2026.
- Stellantis, the company behind the Gurun plant, has a broader multi-brand strategy including a "Brand House" retail model, with Leapmotor being sold alongside other Stellantis brands.
- Leapmotor, selling cars in China since 2018, has a portfolio of four vehicles and is anticipated to launch the T03, an affordable EV model, in Malaysia first, with the C10 following shortly after.
