The head of Stellantis’ Chinese brand has announced four models for the European market later this year, confirming the B10, the B05, the B03X, and probably the B01.
Xavier Pérez (Prensa Ibérica / Spain)
The last Beijing Motor Show was one of the richest sources of industry news we’ve seen in years. Much of the automotive future was shaped there. The rise of Chinese brands is undeniable, and each of them is betting on different strategies to enter new markets. Leapmotor is one of the companies pursuing a partnership-based approach, following its alliance with the Stellantis Group, and it has become a key piece in the future of the Franco‑Italian‑American consortium’s European plants—especially in Spain.
We spoke with Tianshu Xin, CEO of Leapmotor International, a veteran with deep knowledge of Stellantis (he previously worked during its PSA era and its joint venture with Dongfeng), who sees Spain as the gateway for the brand’s global expansion.
Leapmotor was virtually unknown, and now it is present in Europe’s major markets. How did it all begin?
I remember signing the agreement between Stellantis and Leapmotor in October 2023, at the end of 2023. Then we began building the network, organizing investor events, and speaking with dealers. I recall the first investor event being held in April 2024. And we launched the brand in September 2024 in Milan. So last year was our first full year of operations in Europe.
What is your impression of that first year?
It was a very good year, considering we started from zero. But as CEO of Leapmotor International, I believe we can always do better. We are never satisfied.
Is REEV technology a key element for Leapmotor?
Yes. It is very important and adapts very well to Europe. We have just launched the B10 REEV, the electric hybrid, which debuted at the Brussels Motor Show. Now we are launching the B05, the LaFa 5. And in the third quarter we will launch the A10, which will be called the B03X in Europe, a B‑segment SUV. We may launch a fourth model before the end of the year, or early next year. We’ll see how things evolve.
Where is there room for improvement?
There are very good products in Spain, for example. You now have the T03 and the C10. The C10 is an exciting vehicle with REEV technology. I think producing this car with REEV technology is a very good idea.
How important is Europe for you?
It is extremely important. That’s why, when we launched the brand in September 2024, Europe was the first region. Then, in October, Asia‑Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and then South America. Europe is the most important region for Leapmotor in its international expansion. Last year, Europe accounted for more than 90% of our volume outside China. And that is very significant. And this year, as you know from Spain, the first half is already going very well in Europe.
You will assemble more cars in Spain, beyond the B10…
That is our goal. Over time, it will make sense to localize other products in Spain as well. Efficiency is crucial in the automotive industry. And on the same platform, there are always opportunities for additional models. So yes, the B10 is the first model, the one that opens the way, and then we’ll see how things develop. The success of the B10 is the first step toward the models we will build in Spain. But there will be more—we have already announced that.
Why did you choose Spain?
This is one of the major advantages of the collaboration between Stellantis and Leapmotor. We develop cars with very high quality and at a very competitive cost. Stellantis provides the distribution network, industrial footprint, logistics, IT systems, and CIM systems (production software). That means everything needed to distribute a car in any market is already in place. Stellantis has plants in more than 30 countries, and Spain is one of them. When deciding where to localize production, you must consider plant availability, free capacity, labor costs, energy costs, and the supplier ecosystem. And Spain is a perfect place to start in Europe. The choice of Zaragoza makes sense, and so does Madrid.
This year you aim to reach one million units produced globally. How?
It’s a very good question. In 2023, Leapmotor sold 145,000 units. In 2024, nearly 300,000. In 2025, close to 600,000. This year we want to go from 600,000 to one million. We have launched three models in recent weeks. The A10 (B03X in Europe) received 40,000 orders in its first two weeks. The D19 (MPV) was launched a few days ago. Here we have presented the Lafa Ultra 5 (B05 in Europe). And there will be more launches this year. At this pace, both in the domestic and international markets, our chairman Zhu Jiangming believes reaching one million is possible.
You will build a new Opel on a Leapmotor platform…
It is a good opportunity, although Stellantis and Leapmotor remain independent manufacturers. Each has its own platforms. Using another manufacturer’s platform takes time, and brand DNA must be preserved: Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Fiat, and Lancia each have their own identity. Nevertheless, this synergy is one of the reasons for the collaboration. Stellantis invested €1.5 billion in Leapmotor and owns 20% of the company. So yes, we are exploring these opportunities.
What do you think about the number of Chinese brands entering Europe?
It’s crazy. There are two important reasons: the domestic market in China is stabilizing, and brands need to scale to survive. Five years ago, there were more than 250 electric‑vehicle startups in China. Today, more than 90% have disappeared. Scaling production is essential. To be among the world’s top 10 manufacturers, you need to produce around 3 million units. That’s why brands are expanding abroad.
How are manufacturers structured in China?
They can be grouped into four categories: state‑owned companies, large private companies, joint ventures, and new emerging players. Only a few of the latter will survive. The market will continue to evolve rapidly.
Everything is moving very fast…
Indeed, even in five months many things can change. The pace in this industry is dizzying, but it’s a great challenge, and we enjoy being part of it.