Goal BYD! That’s the purpose of little recognized Chinese language electrical automobile specialist Leapmotor, which may launch in Australia as quickly as late 2024.
However whereas ambitions are laudable if not at all times achievable, the potential for Leapmotor in Australia will probably be strengthened with the backing of auto large Stellantis and its native market data.
Stellantis – which owns manufacturers reminiscent of Jeep, RAM and Dodge – has entered right into a joint-venture to export Leapmotor globally.
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Whereas Europe will see the primary world Leapmotor mannequin, the C10 medium SUV, as quickly as early within the third quarter of 2024, Australia can also be anticipated to be an early goal.
Late 2024 is considered the specified timeline for launch, however given points reminiscent of distinctive Australian design guidelines, it may simply blow out.
The success of the BYD EV model has acted as a spur for the Stellantis-Leapmotor joint-venture – dubbed Leapmotor Worldwide – to eye Australia excessive on its precedence checklist.
The ambition – apparently – is to cost decrease than equal BYD fashions and promote in larger numbers.
The BYD Seal U-sized C10 would be the launch mannequin right here, however a daily stream of recent Leapmotor fashions is predicted. The following mannequin needs to be the C16 seven-seat SUV, which has been spied in testing in China.
In China the C10 BEV has simply been priced from 128,800-168,800 yuan ($27,000-$35,400), whereas a plug-in model begins barely larger and finishes barely decrease.
The C10 BEV is powered by a single rear-mounted 170kW/320Nm e-motor fed by a selection of 52.9kWh and 69.9kWh LFP battery packs. It claims a 410km or 530km vary on the CLTC check cycle.
The plug-in hybrid EREV (prolonged vary electrical automobile) C10 provides a 1.5-litre engine, swaps to a 28.4kWh LFP battery pack and claims a 210km pure electrical vary.
The five-seat SUV measures up at 4739mm lengthy, 1900mm extensive and 1680mm excessive with a 2825mm wheelbase. It’s barely shorter, narrower and taller than a Tesla Mannequin Y and has a 65mm shorter wheelbase.
Work is occurring behind the scenes in each China and Australia on the challenge. A spokesman for Leapmotor confirmed that element could be shared round mid-year.
Stellantis Australia would solely say Leapmotor is “into account” for Australia.
Established in 2015, Leapmotor is a publicly listed firm primarily based in Hangzhou that offered 144,155 automobiles in China in 2023. The joint-venture needs to promote 500,000 automobiles globally by 2030.
Stellantis has invested in Leapmotor to shore up its world transition to EVs. In Australia it should assist bolster the native vendor group, which not too long ago misplaced moribund Chrysler.
The zero/low emissions Leapmotor vary may even play an vital function for Stellantis in assembly the CO2 reductions targets of the Australian federal authorities’s NVES – or no less than get nearer to them.
At any time when it does arrive, Leapmotor is not going to solely be a part of BYD, however MG, GWM, Chery and LDV as formidable Chinese language manufacturers in Australia.
Zeekr, Lynk & Co, Nio, Changan, Chery sub-brand Jaecoo and Geely are all anticipated to reach right here over the subsequent few years.