Stellantis and Leapmotor to start local EV assembly in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR:  Gurun, Kedah is about to get a lot busier. Stellantis and Leapmotor have officially kicked off plans to locally assemble Leapmotor electric vehicles in Malaysia, marking a major milestone in the region’s push towards electrification.

The project will be based at Stellantis' existing plant in Gurun, backed by an initial investment of EUR 5 million (around RM24 million).

It’s a strategic move that not only boosts Malaysia’s role in the EV scene but also cements Stellantis’ broader commitment to growing its presence in the ASEAN region.

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Leapmotor, a rapidly growing New Energy Vehicle (NEV) brand from China and now the country's second-largest BEV seller, will be a key player in this partnership.

This move fits neatly into Stellantis' Dare Forward 2030 roadmap, where the India & Asia Pacific (IAP) region has been singled out as a key engine for future growth. Introducing Leapmotor’s range of high-tech yet affordable EVs is seen as a big part of building up the group’s electrification plans in Southeast Asia.

Ashwani Muppasani, Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis India & Asia Pacific, said:
"This milestone marks more than the start of local assembly—it marks the next chapter in Stellantis’ electrification journey across ASEAN. By combining Leapmotor’s EV innovation and success with Stellantis’ regional expertise and global scale, we are laying the foundation for an accessible, sustainable future of mobility right here in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia."

The Gurun facility was an obvious choice for the project. Its strategic location and strong automotive supply network make it ideal for scaling production and exporting to other ASEAN countries — and even beyond, presumably to right-hand drive (RHD) markets outside the region. This fits into Stellantis’ ‘Built in ASEAN for ASEAN’ strategy, while opening the door for a broader global footprint.

Isaac Yeo, Managing Director of Stellantis ASEAN, highlighted the plant’s growing role:
"The Gurun plant has become a cornerstone of Stellantis’ manufacturing presence in the region. We have proactively enhanced its capabilities to support EV assembly, and we are proud that Leapmotor will be the first locally assembled electric vehicle to emerge from this plant. This marks a meaningful step forward not just for Stellantis, but for Malaysia’s role in the regional EV landscape."

Production of the first locally-assembled Leapmotor model—the Leapmotor C10—is scheduled to kick off by the end of 2025. The project also dovetails with Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy 2030 (NAP 2030) and the country’s broader goals as it prepares to take on the ASEAN Chairmanship next year.

But the partnership isn’t just about making cars. It’s expected to drive industrial growth, promote technology sharing, and strengthen economic ties between Malaysia and China.

Zhu Jiangming, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Leapmotor, said:
"The localised assembly project in Malaysia will accelerate Leapmotor's global strategic expansion. We look forward to working with Stellantis Group to bring new technology and vitality to the transformation of Malaysia's automotive industry, and to set a benchmark and model for opening up the entire Southeast Asian market for Leapmotor."

Tianshu Xin, CEO of Leapmotor International, added:
"Leapmotor International's brand promise is 'Excellence Within Reach.' This is not just a slogan—it reflects Leapmotor’s commitment to offering consumers 'technology for all, high quality at an affordable price.' This collaboration also highlights the shared goal of Stellantis and Leapmotor to promote clean energy development in the local market."

Leapmotor has already made a splash in Malaysia since its debut in October 2024, following a strong showing in Thailand. With demand for affordable, high-quality EVs rising fast, the partnership is positioning itself to tap deeper into the region through Stellantis' distribution network.

As local assembly operations gear up, Stellantis and Leapmotor plan to reveal more details soon, including model line-ups, pricing, and market availability.

And there’s more good news for future C10 owners — a small but meaningful update is coming soon, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration being added to the vehicle, confirmed Tianshu Xin, CEO of Leapmotor International.

The event also saw two other Leapmotor models making a special appearance — the C11 SUV and the new C16 — both completing an epic 6,000-kilometre drive from China to Malaysia, presumably for further testing and evaluation.

Interestingly, the C16 that arrived was the EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle) version, as indicated by the presence of both fuel and charging ports.

The Leapmotor C11 is a mid-sized electric SUV that offers a blend of performance and practicality and is available in both full EV and range-extended (EREV) versions. It competes against models like the Tesla Model Y, focusing on spacious interiors, solid build quality, and strong value.

Meanwhile, the C16 is a larger three-row SUV designed for families, combining luxury features with flexible electrified powertrains, and looks set to position Leapmotor into the premium SUV segment as it expands its global footprint.

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