Leapmotor Shifts European Production Plans to Poland

Chinese electric vehicle maker, Leapmotor, will partner with Stellantis to produce its T03 city car at the Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland. This decision marks a shift from potential production in Turin, Italy.

Production could begin as early as the second quarter, utilising the "semi-knocked down" (SKD) approach. This method involves transforming partially assembled kits into finished vehicles in Poland. Neither Stellantis nor Leapmotor have officially commented.

The move underscores the strategic importance of the Stellantis-Leapmotor partnership. Last October, Stellantis acquired a significant 20% stake in Leapmotor. This joint venture provides Stellantis with exclusive rights to build, export, and sell Leapmotor vehicles outside of China, expanding its reach into the growing electric vehicle market.

Key Points:

• Leapmotor's T03 is a small electric car designed to compete with similar models in the European market.
• Stellantis is pursuing cost-competitive strategies in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle landscape.
• The Stellantis-Leapmotor partnership could signal further collaboration and expansion of electric vehicle production in Europe.