Stellantis and Leapmotor ink CKD plans, starting with the C10, first rollout by end-2025 - Auto News | Carlist.my

Stellantis and Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Leapmotor have officially announced plans to begin local assembly of Leapmotor vehicles in Malaysia, marking a key step in both companies' regional growth strategies. The announcement was made today and signals the formal launch of Leapmotor’s assembly operations in the country, with production set to begin by the end of 2025.

The assembly operations will take place at Stellantis’ existing manufacturing facility in Gurun, Kedah. Backed by an initial investment of €5 million (approximately RM24 million), the initiative highlights Malaysia’s growing role in the ASEAN EV supply chain and reflects Stellantis’ commitment to advancing sustainable mobility across the region.

The move comes as part of Stellantis’ broader “Dare Forward 2030” strategy, which identifies the India & Asia Pacific (IAP) region as a key engine for future growth. Through the introduction of Leapmotor’s range of accessible and tech-forward EVs, Stellantis aims to strengthen its electrification roadmap and cater to rising demand for clean energy transport in Southeast Asia.

“This milestone marks more than just the beginning of local assembly—it represents the next chapter in Stellantis’ electrification journey across ASEAN,” said Ashwani Muppasani, Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis India & Asia Pacific. “With Leapmotor’s innovative EV lineup and our regional expertise, we’re laying the groundwork for a more accessible and sustainable mobility future.”

The Gurun plant, chosen for its strategic location and mature automotive ecosystem, is expected to play a pivotal role in scaling up production and enabling efficient distribution to nearby ASEAN markets. According to Stellantis ASEAN Managing Director Isaac Yeo, the plant has already undergone enhancements to support EV production.

“We’re proud that the Leapmotor C10 will be the first locally assembled EV to roll out of our Gurun facility,” Yeo said. “This is a significant step for both Stellantis and Malaysia as the country strengthens its role in the regional EV industry.”

The project is also closely aligned with Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy 2030 (NAP 2030) and supports broader economic ambitions tied to the country’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. Beyond production, the collaboration is expected to support industrial development, encourage technology transfer, and deepen Malaysia-China bilateral cooperation.

Leapmotor Founder and CEO Zhu Jiangming called the initiative a strategic milestone in the company’s global expansion. “We look forward to working with Stellantis to bring advanced technology and fresh energy to Malaysia’s automotive transformation, while setting a new benchmark for EV adoption in Southeast Asia,” he said.

Leapmotor International CEO Tianshu Xin added that the company’s brand promise, “Excellence Within Reach,” is a reflection of its mission to offer affordable, high-quality electric vehicles for everyone. “This partnership is about making clean mobility accessible, not just in Malaysia, but across the region,” he said.

The signing ceremony was also graced by convoy of Leapmotor vehicles on their long distance journey from China to Singapore, where during their Kuala Lumpur stopover, we managed to take a look around the larger MPV-like C16 as well as the more compact but coupe-like C11, which was equipped with a range-extended electric powertrain; essentially a petrol engine used to charge up its battery. It bodes well for the prospect of REEV powertrains entering our market as well as an antidote to the still-prevalent range anxiety that factors into the worries of many EV buyers even today.  

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