Stellantis and Leapmotor have announced their JV Leapmotor International will start exporting to mainland Europe in September of this year.

The 51/49 equity share Stellantis-led firm is preparing for the introduction of the T03 and C10 models first in the European markets.

Leveraging Stellantis distribution channels, the launch plan will begin in Europe: France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Greece, Romania.

It will be supported by a planned 200 points of sale by the end of the year, including Stellantis &You locations, ramping up to 500 by 2026.

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).

Leapmotor Founder, Chairman and CEO Jiangming Zhu said: “The partnership between Leapmotor and Stellantis demonstrates a high level of efficiency, opening a new chapter in the global integration of China's intelligent electric vehicle industry.”

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said: “The creation of Leapmotor International is a great step forward […] with state-of-the-art BEV models that will compete with existing Chinese brands in key markets around the world.”

The Leapmotor C10 is its first global product, built according to global design and safety standards, the JV says.

The Leapmotor T03 is a small five-door, A-segment urban commuter car with B-segment interior space.