Stellantis Tests Leapmotor EVs in Turin Ahead of European Launch

Stellantis is gearing up to introduce Leapmotor, its Chinese joint venture electric vehicle (EV) brand, to the European market, with Italy being one of the key destinations. In preparation for the official launch, Stellantis has begun testing Leapmotor vehicles on the streets of Turin, specifically near the Mirafiori plant. This development was recently confirmed by spy photos shared on social media by Walter Vayr (@GabetzSPYUnit), capturing the rear view of the two models—the Leapmotor C10 SUV and the T03 city car.

Stellantis has invested €1.5 billion (around $1.63 billion USD) to acquire a 20% stake in Leapmotor, signaling the company’s commitment to expanding its EV offerings in Europe. This strategic partnership led to the establishment of Leapmotor International, a joint venture company with a 51:49 ratio, facilitating the distribution and production of Leapmotor cars in global markets outside China, thereby supporting the company’s expansion plans, notably in Europe.

The first batch of Leapmotor vehicles is already en route from China, set to debut in nine European markets, including Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain.

The Leapmotor C10 and T03 are the first models to be introduced in Italy. The C10, built on the LEAP 3.0 architecture, boasts a range of 420 kilometers (about 261 miles) according to the WLTP cycle. The T03, a compact city car, offers a range of 265 kilometers (approximately 165 miles) and is expected to be priced under €20,000 (around $21,700 USD). Production of the T03 for the European market will take place at the Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland, which currently builds the Jeep® Avenger, Fiat 600, and Alfa Romeo Junior.

While details on the European versions of these models are still forthcoming, the official announcement is expected soon. Stellantis plans to focus on making these vehicles competitive and accessible, aligning with its broader strategy to increase its market share in the EV segment.

Over the next three years, Stellantis intends to introduce at least one new Leapmotor model annually in Europe. The Leapmotor International joint venture, led by Stellantis, also aims to expand its presence across the continent, targeting 500 different sales points by 2026.