First batch of Stellantis-Leapmotor JV EVs -- an SUV and a hatchback -- are headed to Europe

The first batch of electric vehicles from Leapmotor International, the 51:49 joint venture between European carmaker Stellantis and Chinese EV manufacturer Leapmotor, have been shipped from China and are headed to Europe.

The batch, consisting of C10 SUVs and T03 hatchbacks, was shipped from Shanghai, Stellantis announced in a press release.

Carlos Tavares, CEO, Stellantis, called the shipment a "landmark moment" in their partnership, adding: "I strongly believe that Leapmotor's electric vehicles will be widely accepted by European customers. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings and look forward to a successful journey together."

Leapmotor International will leverage Stellantis' distribution channels to sell vehicles across Europe. The JV plans to increase vehicle sales points on the continent to 500 by 2026, from an estimated 200 by the end of this year, and launch at least one new model every year for the next three years.

The C10 and T03 vehicles are equipped with "cutting-edge EV technology, offering exceptional performance, efficiency and range," Stellantis said in the release.

The C10, a family-centric D-segment vehicle, is Leapmotor's first global product, having been built according to global design and safety standards and able to meet the 5-star E-NCAP rating standard. The vehicle is based on Leapmotor's self-developed LEAP3.0 technology architecture, which features intelligent electric technology such as central integrated electronic and electrical architecture, cell-to-chassis (CTC) technology, and an intelligent cockpit.

The T03 is a small, five-door, A-segment urban boutique commuter car that ranked No 1 in the JD Power Initial Quality Study in the small BEV segment.

Zhu Jiangming, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Leapmotor, said in the release the company had sold "over 400,000" EVs in China since sales began. "The C10 and T03 models are designed to meet the high standards of global customers and we are confident that the collaboration between Stellantis and Leapmotor will drive significant growth for both companies," he added.

Leapmotor is China's fourth largest new energy vehicle (NEV) startup by sales as of June 2024.