Leapmotor to Build Electric Cars in Spain from 2026 Backed by Stellantis

Leapmotor’s European Overture: An EV Symphony in Spain

Unlock Infinite Advantages: Subscribe to Annual Membership

Image Credits: Yahoo

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer leapmotor has reaffirmed its European ambitions with concrete plans to begin local production, a move designed to strengthen its foothold in one of the world’s most competitive EV markets. Backed by Stellantis, which holds a majority stake in its international operations, the brand will commence manufacturing in Spain from 2026, according to Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa. While the specific facility remains undisclosed, industry consensus suggests Zaragoza is already a hub for Peugeot, Opel/Vauxhall, and Lancia as the prime candidate. The site is set to expand with a €4.1 billion gigafactory for LFP batteries, courtesy of Stellantis’s joint venture with CATL, making it an ideal launchpad.

The first European-built model is expected to be the leapmotor B10, a 4.5-metre crossover designed squarely for the C-segment, with the B05 hatchback likely to follow. Domestic production offers a crucial advantage: the ability to circumvent the EU’s 20.7% tariff on Chinese EV imports.

leapmotor’s initial European line-up comprises the compact T03 and the C10 SUV both conceived before its Stellantis alliance. However, future offerings, including the B10 and B05, will draw heavily on Stellantis’s R&D resources, ensuring designs attuned to European sensibilities. tianshu Xin, CEO of Leapmotor International, emphasised the importance of feedback loops with European customers, describing the company’s capacity for rapid refinement as impressive.

Pricing will remain central to the brand’s strategy, with the C10 and B10 positioned below established rivals. Xin attributes this competitiveness to Leapmotor’s vertically integrated supply chain and its origins in electronics, enabling cost optimisation from conception to assembly.

Reflecting on Leapmotor’s first year in Europe, Xin struck a tone of cautious optimism: progress has been made, he noted, but true momentum will come with the arrival of the B10, a model intended not merely to compete, but to redefine expectations.