Why It Matters Globally
Leapmotor’s local assembly in Malaysia — facilitated by Stellantis — proves the Chinese-European JV model can work at scale. With C10 production underway and B10 coming to both Malaysia and Spain, Leapmotor is building a two-continent manufacturing network that no other Chinese EV startup can match.
C10 Rolls Off the Line in Malaysia
On June 4, 2026, Stellantis officially began local assembly of the Leapmotor C10 SUV at its Gurun plant in Kedah state, about 400 km northwest of Kuala Lumpur, according to Sina Finance. The plant has an annual capacity of 60,000 units and produces the BEV variant only (global markets also get an EREV version).
The launch came roughly five months behind the original late-2025 target. Vehicles are assembled from CKD (completely knocked down) kits and are initially aimed at the Malaysian domestic market, with exports to Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Laos under evaluation.
B10: Malaysia and Spain
Stellantis plans to begin assembling the Leapmotor B10 compact SUV at the Gurun plant by the end of 2026. In parallel, Sina Finance citing IT Home reported that Stellantis will also produce the B10 at its Zaragoza plant in Spain — making Leapmotor the first Chinese EV brand to manufacture in both Southeast Asia and Western Europe simultaneously.
The companies also plan to transfer ownership of Stellantis’s Madrid factory to the Leapmotor International JV.
The Stellantis Partnership: By the Numbers
- October 2023: Stellantis invests €1.5 billion for a ~20% stake in Leapmotor
- Leapmotor International JV: Holds exclusive sales and manufacturing rights outside Greater China
- European network: Over 850 sales and service points
- June 2026: Leapmotor Lafa 5 electric hatchback enters 28 overseas markets
Leapmotor Sales Momentum
Leapmotor delivered 81,569 vehicles in May 2026 — a new monthly record and an 81% year-over-year increase, making it China’s top-selling EV startup. Year-to-date sales reached 263,111 units, up 51.5% YoY, according to Sina Finance. The company targets 1 million deliveries for the full year.
C10 and C11 update models are scheduled for a June 16 reveal, with the updated C10 gaining a new split headlight design and 10 mm of additional length. The EREV version’s pure-electric range increases to 190 km.
FAQ
Why is local assembly important?
It avoids import tariffs, reduces delivery times, and builds local employment and supply chains — all critical for long-term market acceptance.
What’s unique about the Stellantis-Leapmotor model?
Unlike BYD or Tesla, which build and operate their own foreign factories, Leapmotor leverages Stellantis’s existing global plants and dealer networks — faster, cheaper, and less risky.
Will the B10 be sold in the U.S.?
No U.S. plans have been announced. The focus is ASEAN and Europe.
