Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On April 18, Stellantis and Leapmotor announced plans to kick off a localized electric vehicle (EV) assembly project in Malaysia, marking a significant milestone in their collaboration.
The initiative will be based at Stellantis’ existing Gurun plant in Kedah, with an initial investment of €5 million (approximately 24 million Malaysian ringgit). Production of Leapmotor’s first locally assembled model, the C10, is scheduled to begin by the end of 2025.
By introducing Leapmotor’s advanced and cost-effective EV products, Stellantis aims to expand its product portfolio in Southeast Asia while contributing to the region’s transition toward sustainable mobility.
Ashwani Muppasani, Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis India & Asia Pacific, emphasized the strategic importance of this development, stating, “This regional milestone not only marks the beginning of Leapmotor’s localized production, but also opens a new chapter in our electrification journey across ASEAN. By combining Leapmotor’s innovation and competitive products with Stellantis’ regional expertise and global scale, we are laying the foundation for sustainable mobility in Malaysia and beyond.”
The Gurun facility, a key manufacturing hub for Stellantis in the region, offers a strategic location and mature automotive capabilities. Its ability to scale production and distribute vehicles across neighboring ASEAN markets aligns with Stellantis’ ASEAN manufacturing, ASEAN sales” strategy.
Zhu Jiangming, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Leapmotor, added that the project will accelerate the company’s global expansion. “We look forward to working closely with Stellantis to bring new technology and vitality to Malaysia’s automotive transformation, and to establish a model for Leapmotor’s broader entry into the Southeast Asian market,” he said.
(Source)