Stellantis is one of the largest auto conglomerates in the global market with almost twenty automotive OEMs under it. In India, the Dutch conglomerate operates primarily through Jeep and Citroen brands along with imports from Maserati. It seems, Stellantis is geared up to expand its wings in India with a new auto brand.
In a recent development, Stellantis has forged a new partnership with Hong Kong-based Leapmotor. Officially called Leapmotor International B.V, this new 51/49 Stellantis-led joint venture will be headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and will be led by CEO Tianshu Xin, a former Stellantis China executive.
“We are now going to go live. We are now in the planning phase to go to the markets and start exporting vehicles out of China to the rest of the world,” said Stellantis’ global CEO Carlos Tavares. “And as we said this morning, planning is 10 percent, and execution is 90 percent. So, we are entering the execution part of our deal,” added Tavares.
In late 2024, the Leapmotor product launch roll-out will expand to the Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Israel and French Overseas), India & Asia Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and India), and South America (Brazil and Chile).
This new JV will focus on bringing affordable electric vehicles to developing markets including India starting from the fourth quarter of 2024. Europe will be the first market where Leapfrog will enter at the end of this year. The company plans to expand to nine European countries, including Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Portugal, starting September 2024.
In late 2024, the Leapmotor product launch roll-out will expand to the Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Israel and French Overseas), India & Asia Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and India), and South America (Brazil and Chile).
Stellantis Leapfrog future roadmap
The Euro-Chinese auto brand has also revealed its roadmap for the near future. The company will step in the above-mentioned marketts namely T03 and C10. The former is an entry-level hatchback rivalling the likes of Tata Tiago, MG Comet EV, and Citroen eC3. The hatch offers a peak single-charge range of 265 km (WLTP).
The Leapmotor C10, on the other hand, is the brand;s first global offering based on Leapmotor’s self-developed LEAP3.0 technology architecture, featuring industry-leading intelligent electric technology such as central integrated electronic and electrical architecture, cell-to-chassis (CTC) technology, and its flagship intelligent cockpit.
The C10 is a fully equipped, family-centric D-segment vehicle with best-in-segment premium ride and handling experience, featuring 420 km WLTP range. It has also attained a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. More details regarding both the upcoming all-electric SUVs are expected to be revealed in the coming months.
