Leapmotor electric vehicle

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Hangzhou, China, Leapmotor (Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., Ltd.) is a prominent Chinese manufacturer of intelligent electric vehicles (EVs). The brand was established by Zhu Jiangming and Fu Liquan, who were original co-founders of the surveillance giant Dahua Technology. Leapmotor is known for its high level of vertical integration, developing core components like electric powertrains and software systems in-house to maintain cost efficiency.

A transformative moment for the company occurred in 2023 when Stellantis N.V. invested approximately €1.5 billion to acquire a 20% stake. This partnership led to the creation of Leapmotor International, a 51/49 joint venture led by Stellantis. This entity holds the exclusive rights to manufacture, export, and sell Leapmotor products outside of Greater China, effectively positioning Leapmotor as a key global brand within the Stellantis portfolio.

Manufacturing takes place primarily in Jinhua, China. However, to facilitate global expansion and navigate regional tariffs, Leapmotor has expanded production into Europe. Notable production sites have included the Tychy plant in Poland (particularly for the T03 model), with future European manufacturing efforts shifting toward other Stellantis facilities in locations such as Slovakia and Italy to support its growing presence in the EU and beyond.