Stellantis unveils Leapmotor SUV in Malaysia for SEA expansion

Stellantis holds a 51% stake in the Leapmotor International joint venture, which has exclusive rights to manufacture, export, and sell Leapmotor products outside China—this being the first such partnership for a traditional Western automaker. The joint venture, announced in May, plans a global expansion in 2024, with the goal of selling electric vehicles (EVs) in multiple regions, including Europe and the Asia-Pacific.

Sales in Malaysia will begin with the Leapmotor C10, a medium-sized SUV, as confirmed by Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, during the launch event.

The Malaysian government is focused on transforming the country into a regional hub for electric vehicle production and supply chains. Malaysia aims for EVs and hybrids to represent 20% of new car sales by 2030, with a 112% increase in battery-electric vehicle sales reported for the first half of this year, according to Tengku Zafrul.