Stellantis-backed Chinese carmaker Leapmotor announced on Thursday it is expanding to seven new markets in Europe, including Ireland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia.
The company has partnered with the local distributor Gowan Auto in the Irish market, with sales expected to start this September.
Leapmotor is launching in Ireland with the fully electric T03 and the C10 models, which will be available as a battery electric (BEV) or as a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV).
In Germany, the T03 city compact is currently priced from €18,900 ($21,520). Prices for both the BEV and REEV versions of the C10 begin at €37,600 ($42,800) in Europe’s largest auto market.
The SUV is also available in the UK, with prices starting from £36,500 ($49,340). The company expanded to the British market in March.
The two models will also be available in Bulgaria, a market for which the company has signed an agreement with SFA Automotive LTD.
The group already works with Stellantis-backed Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Jeep, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Abarth and Alfa Romeo in the country.
Leapmotor is entering Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia via the Emil Frey Group, which already represents the brand in Switzerland.
In Europe, company currently operates in Austria, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Poland and Romania.
The Chinese brand stated it has reached 600 points of service and sales across the old continent and aims to “exceed” 700 locations by year-end. It plans for the “average drive time” to its locations in Europe “to fall below 25 minutes.”
Leapmotor sold 45,067 vehicles vehicles in May, setting a new record for the brand since last December.
Year to date, the brand registered 173,658 vehicles, reaching 34.7% of the 500,000-unit guidance set for 2025.
In April, the French newspaper Les Echos reported that Stellantis had stopped EV production in Poland, which the group confirmed.
“While the company remains fully engaged in the launch of Leapmotor vehicles in Europe, at the moment it is evaluating different production options,” Stellantis stated.
Leapmotor‘s T03 city compact was produced in the Polish plant, and the units were aimed at the European markets.
