Stellantis — owner of brands such as Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën and Jeep — debuted the Chinese electric vehicle brand Leapmotor this Monday, marking its entry into the electric car segment. The arrival of the new brand is accompanied by a wide network of dealerships and after-sales services. The first models that will be sold in the region are the C10 Electric (BEV) and C10 Ultra-Hybrid (REEV) SUVs.
— The introduction of a new brand into our portfolio represents an unprecedented business model in the region, where a high-tech brand with a DNA focused on electrification will be driven directly by Stellantis, leader of the South American market, promoting the integration of technologies, platforms and know-how at a global level — says Herlander Zola, President of Stellantis for South America.
Leapmotor’s arrival is part of the company’s record investment plan for Latin America, totaling R$32 billion between 2025 and 2030. In addition to new products, the plan includes the launch of new models focused on advancing Bio-Hybrid technologies — which combine hybrid-flex and electric systems — to make electrification more accessible to different consumers.
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In September, Stellantis recorded the highest production volume in its history in South America, with 91,216 vehicles. Fiat Strada, leader of the Brazilian automotive market for several years, also reached a historic record, with 18,287 units produced at the Betim Automotive Complex (MG) in the same month.
The partnership between Stellantis and Leapmotor was formalized in October 2023, when the European automaker announced an investment of €1.5 billion to acquire 21% of the Chinese company, one of China’s top three electric car manufacturers. The agreement created the joint venture Leapmotor International, which holds exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the brand’s vehicles outside Chinese territory.
With the move, Leapmotor consolidates its presence in China and now relies on Stellantis’ global structure to expand sales in new markets. Experts believe that the idea is for Stellantis to have a line of products with electric propulsion as quickly as possible.
It is a way of guaranteeing space in a vehicle market in the entry lane. Some analysts consider that Stellantis was lagging behind in the development of electric cars, compared to other companies.
