Leapmotor International, a 51/49 JV with Stellantis, has shipped the first batch of electric vehicles - C10 SUVs and T03 cars - from Shanghai, China, to European ports, a statement said.

A quantity was not given but Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares last week claimed “hundreds” of cars were en route to Europe, in the run-up to the brand's launch in September. He added the first shipment of 800 cars was on the way from China.

During Stellantis’ H1 2024 results call, Tavares also said that the firm had already decided on several vehicle assembly plants in Europe and this “is already being executed.” He did not disclose the countries or locations.

“The shipment of Leapmotor C10 and T03 vehicles to Europe this month is a landmark moment in the partnership between Stellantis and Leapmotor,” said Tavares in the statement.

"This demonstrates our commitment to providing innovative, affordable and sustainable mobility solutions to our customers. Relying on Stellantis’ strong business assets in Europe and the hard work of our companies’ teams on guaranteeing product innovation and quality, "I strongly believe that Leapmotor’s electric vehicles will be widely accepted by European customers.”

“As of the first half of July, Leapmotor has accumulatively sold over 400,000 EVs in China since the company’s first sale,” said Leapmotor founder, chairman and CEO Zhu Jiangming.

“China is the biggest and most competitive EV market in the world and our products have proved their value by being acclaimed by the local customers."

Leapmotor International plans to build outlets in Europe to 500 by 2026, from 200 at the end of 2024.

At least one new model was planned to go on sale every year in the next three.