Stellantis and Leapmotor has officially announced the local assembly of Leapmotor vehicles in Malaysia, signalling the start of Leapmotor’s local assembly plans in Malaysia.
The initiative will take place at Stellantis’ plant in Gurun, Kedah, starting with an investment of EUR 5 million (RM24 million). This move positions Malaysia as a leader in EV production in the ASEAN region and shows Stellantis’ dedication to promoting sustainable mobility through its partnership with Leapmotor, a rapidly growing New Energy Vehicle (NEV) company from China.
This initiative shows Stellantis’ commitment to growth in the India & Asia Pacific (IAP) region, which is a key part of its Dare Forward 2030 strategy. By offering Leapmotor’s affordable EVs, Stellantis is enhancing its electrification plan and providing advanced mobility solutions to 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 local assembly of Leapmotor vehicles will be based at Stellantis’ Gurun, Kedah. Gurun was selected for its ideal location and developed automotive infrastructure, making it a regional hub that allows for efficient production and distribution to nearby ASEAN markets, following Stellantis’ ‘Built in ASEAN for ASEAN’ plan.
Isaac Yeo, Managing Director of Stellantis ASEAN, said, “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 locally assembled Leapmotor C10 is planned to start by the end of 2025. This effort aligns with Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy (NAP 2030) and supports the country’s goals during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. The collaboration aims to boost industrial growth, promote technology transfer, and enhance cooperation between Malaysia and China.
Zhu Jiangming, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Leapmotor added that” “The localized 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, Chief Executive Officer of Leapmotor International, said, “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.”
Following its launch in Malaysia in October 2024 and success in Thailand, Leapmotor plans to grow in the region, responding to the rising demand for high-quality, affordable electric vehicles (EVs) and Stellantis’ distribution network.
With a common goal of making electric mobility accessible, Stellantis and Leapmotor are working towards an inclusive EV future, starting in Malaysia and expanding throughout ASEAN. As local assembly preparations begin, more information about products, pricing, and availability will be shared before production starts.