Quick Overview:
- Stellantis to launch China-based Leapmotor EVs in India
- Entry planned through a global JV: Leapmotor International
- Could heat up the electric car space under ₹20 lakh
India’s EV game just got a fresh jolt of voltage. Stellantis, the global auto giant behind names like Jeep and Citroën, has confirmed its plan to bring Chinese EV player Leapmotor to India. The move comes under a newly formed joint venture — Leapmotor International — in which Stellantis holds a majority 51% stake.
If all goes to plan, India could see its first Leapmotor EV roll out as early as 2025. And yes, expect it to target the mass market. Think urban-friendly hatchbacks and compact SUVs that square up against the likes of the Tata Punch.ev, MG Comet, and the upcoming Maruti eVX.
So, What’s Leapmotor Bringing to the Table?
For starters, Leapmotor isn’t exactly a small name in China. Their current lineup includes the T03 (a tiny city car), C10 (a compact SUV), and C11 (a mid-size SUV). The C10, unveiled earlier at the Paris Motor Show, is based on the company’s proprietary LEAP 3.0 architecture — promising high levels of integration, performance, and cost efficiency.
Stellantis has already confirmed that C10 will be one of the first Leapmotor products to go global. Given India’s appetite for compact, tech-forward EVs, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the C10 and T03 make their way here first.
Stellantis Wants a Piece of the Pie
With Citroën’s EV efforts (like the ëC3) yet to fully take off in India, Leapmotor gives Stellantis a clean-slate play in the electric game — minus the baggage. The EV space in India is buzzing, and Leapmotor could offer the aggressive pricing and feature-rich approach that’s worked wonders for Tata and MG.
More importantly, Leapmotor might not go it alone. Stellantis has hinted at local assembly or CKD operations — something that could help keep costs in check.
Final Thoughts:
From pizza delivery to EVs, everything’s getting a new nameplate these days. And Leapmotor, with Stellantis as its global GPS, might just leapfrog some old-timers if priced right. Will it spark a price war or just buzz on X (formerly Twitter)? We’ll find out soon enough. For now, the EV space just got a little more electric.