Chinese new energy vehicle brand Leapmotor accelerates European market layout
Recently, Chinese new energy vehicle brand Leapmotor plans to realize local production in Europe in 2026 to cope with the EU's tariff increase policy and reduce export costs, according to people familiar with the matter.
According to the insiders, Leapmotor is evaluating the specific mode of localized production in Europe, and may give priority to the CKD (complete kit distribution) method, completing the assembly of vehicles through cooperative factories. CEO Zhu Jiangming said in March 2025 that localized production in Europe is “a key step in our globalization strategy,” and emphasized that we will comply with EU carbon emissions and data security regulations.
The European Union has imposed tariffs on imported electric vehicles since 2024, forcing Chinese automakers to accelerate overseas plant construction. Leapmotor had previously planned to start production in Europe by the end of 2025, but the latest information shows that its target has been adjusted to 2026, or it may be related to the European supply chain teething and policy compliance cycle.
At present, Leapmotor's two models sold in Europe, T03 and C10, have both achieved sales climb in the European market with excellent quality-price ratio. In addition, the B series will also launch an export version in the middle of this year. The first globalized model of the B series, B10, is scheduled to be launched in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year, and the third product of the B series, B05, is also scheduled to make its debut in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year, completing Leapmotor's overseas layout with a dual-power strategy.
As of April 2025, Leapmotor is being sold in Europe through more than 50 dealerships in Germany, France and Italy on a pilot basis, and plans to add more than 100 outlets during the year. The company has not disclosed specific capacity plans, but internal documents show that the initial annual production capacity of its European plant may be set at 50,000-80,000 units, mainly supplying the Western and Northern European markets.