Two new models will spearhead the Stellantis-led JV’s entry to Europe
Leapmotor International, a 51/49 Stellantis-led company between Stellantis and Leapmotor, says it is dedicated to redefining electric vehicles through cutting-edge technology and innovation and boasting comprehensive, in-house development capabilities.
“The creation of Leapmotor International is a great step forward in helping address the urgent global warming issue with state-of-the-art BEV models that will compete with existing Chinese brands in key markets around the world,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “Leveraging our existing global presence, we will soon be able to offer our customers price competitive and tech-centric electric vehicles that will exceed their expectations. Under Tianshu Xin’s leadership, they have built a compelling worldwide commercial and industrial strategy to quickly ramp-up the sales distribution channels to support Leapmotor’s robust growth and create value for both partners.”
The partners say theirs is the first global partnership in the electric-vehicle sector between a major automaker and a Chinese OEM specialised in New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). Stellantis plans on taking advantage of Leapmotor’s EV ecosystem in China, to contribute to reaching the key electrification targets set out in the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, with an eye to exploring further collaborations with its partner.
The JV’s basic reason for existence is to leverage scale on model lines, share technology, manufacturing capacity and benefit from territorial synergies – to drive value for both Stellantis and Leapmotor. Key to all this is rapidly developing low-cost BEVs that are positioned for sales growth in markets around the world. Leapmotor International has exclusive rights for the export and sale, as well as manufacturing, of Leapmotor products outside Greater China. The partnership aims to further boost Leapmotor’s sales in China, the biggest market in the world, while also leveraging Stellantis’ established global commercial presence to significantly accelerate Leapmotor brand sales in other regions.
Europe is an early priority. Stellantis says Leapmotor International’s EV product offering is considered complementary to Stellantis’ current technology and portfolio of iconic brands and will bring more affordable mobility solutions to global customers. With the ability to rely on Stellantis’ distribution channels, Leapmotor International is aiming to increase the number of sales points of Leapmotor vehicles to 350 by the end of 2024. Furthermore, one model a year is planned to be released over the next three years.
The first European markets involved by the end of this year are Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, The Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. All can rely on Stellantis extensive sales network and the support of dedicated ‘Brand Managers’.
From Q4 2024, Leapmotor’s commercial operations will also be expanded to the Middle East & Africa (Israel and overseas French territories), Asia Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia), as well as South America (Brazil and Chile).
Two launch models for Europe
The company is set to start taking orders in Europe for the imminent market launch of all-electric models – a city car (T03) and an SUV (C10).
The T03 model is a compact electric segment-A vehicle with 165 miles of range WLTP combined. It is priced at just €18,900 (GBP15,995 in the UK).
Although the T03 will be imported from China to begin with, the model will also be assembled in Europe, at the Stellantis Tychy, Poland, plant. That will enable it to avoid punitive EU tariffs applying to BEV shipments from China. Stellantis commenced trial assembly of the T03, at its Tychy factory in June.
The C10 is described by Leapmotor as an electric D-SUV with premium features, with 261 miles of range WLTP combined and top-level safety standards priced at from €36,400 (GBP36,500 in the UK).
The C10 SUV is also described by Leapmotor International as the first Leapmotor product created for the global market and in line with international safety and design standards. The company stresses that Stellantis’ distribution network guarantees ‘peace of mind in regard to services and assistance’.
Engineering innovations and vertical integration
Leapmotor says it is one of the leading Chinese companies in the technology field and boasts the highest growth in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sector, making use of an ‘exclusive vertical-integration model and a wide range of in-house capabilities’.
The C10 is based on the ‘LEAP 3.0’ architecture developed by Leapmotor, which makes use of technology including the ‘Cell-to-Chassis’ (CTC) system and a ‘smart cockpit’. CTC integrates battery, chassis and underbody – eliminating the need for a separate battery pack – with claimed benefits include a lower number of components and lighter weight. In effect, the battery cells double up as structural components.
Leapmotor also hails its high level of vertical integration via its “full-stack in-house development” (more than 60 % of its total amount) and refers to building essential vehicle systems such as powertrain, intelligent driving, and cockpit systems from the ground up, enabling complete in-house development of both software and hardware.
This approach, it says, maximises efficiency in the R&D and manufacturing processes while also maximising the value customers get throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle. The key advantages of full-stack in-house development are – it is claimed – controllable R&D costs, superior vehicle performance end stronger resilience to the risks of supply chain disruptions and market volatility.
Globally, Leapmotor stands out as the only Chinese startup with full-stack in-house development capabilities and says it has the highest degree of vertical integration in the intelligent electric vehicle market. By combining the strengths of the IT and automotive industries, Leapmotor maintains it has established a highly efficient and practical R&D logic, making its technology and in-house development closely intertwined. This integrated approach enables the company to innovate rapidly and deliver high-performance products, it says.
Leapmotor has accumulatively sold over 400,000 EVs in China since 2019. It says one model a year is planned to be released over the next three years.
Source from Just Auto
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