KUALA LUMPUR: Leapmotor, a Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, closed 2024 with record sales and significant global progress.
The company was ranked as the third most successful start-up in the NEV segment established in the last decade and the seventh among all established Chinese NEV brands, underscoring its growing influence in a competitive market.
The term “New Energy Vehicle” (NEV) was coined in China and refers to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
According to Leapmotor, its success is attributed to a comprehensive product portfolio underpinned by innovative technology, which delivered robust performance.
In December 2024, Leapmotor reported a milestone delivery of 42,517 units in China – an increase of 128% compared with the previous year – contributing to a total annual sale of 293,724 units. These figures highlight the company’s strong growth momentum and market presence.
Meanwhile, Leapmotor International – a joint venture with Stellantis formed in October 2023 with a 51:49 equity split – is accelerating the brand’s expansion beyond China.
The partnership has facilitated the entry into more than 25 countries across regions including South Asia, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Australasia and South America.
Leveraging Stellantis’s extensive distribution network, the joint venture has secured commitments for 410 retail points and received over 3,165 customer orders. The companies have set an ambitious target of delivering 500,000 units in 2025.
In alignment with Stellantis’s 2030 Dare Forward strategy to promote low-carbon mobility, the companies have launched the Leapmotor C10 BEV in the Asean region.
The model is based on the firm’s Leap 3.0 platform and incorporates Cell-To-Chassis 2.0 technology to optimise powertrain layout, enhancing both safety and efficiency.
Developed and refined at the Stellantis Balocco Proving Ground, the C10 has been engineered to deliver a balanced performance that combines dynamic handling with a refined driving experience.
Safety has been a priority in the design of the C10. The vehicle has earned a Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems rating and achieved five-star safety ratings from prominent assessment bodies including Euro NCAP, Australia ANCAP and China’s C-NCAP.
Offered in Malaysia from RM159,000, the C10 comes with general warranty coverage of six years or 150,000km for the vehicle, and eight years or 160,000km for the battery.
With regards to general warranty, it comprises a 4-year manufacturer warranty plus an additional 2-year full extended warranty.
Strategic collaborations and ongoing technological advancements are expected to support further growth.
