Leapmotor showcases its vehicle lineup at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. Credit: Leapmotor
- The B10 has rolled off the assembly line at Stellantis’ Zaragoza plant, marking a major milestone in Leapmotor’s European localization efforts.
- The Paris Motor Show marks Leapmotor’s largest exhibition in Europe to date.
Leapmotor (HKEX: 9863) said on Monday that its B10 compact SUV had entered production at the Zaragoza plant in Spain, while the A05 made its European debut, as the Chinese EV maker backed by Stellantis NV (NYSE: STLA) accelerates its localization efforts in Europe.
The company made the announcements at the Paris Motor Show 2026, where Leapmotor founder Zhu Jiangming and Leapmotor International CEO Danilo Annese jointly unveiled the new models.
The Zaragoza facility, jointly developed by Stellantis and Leapmotor, uses Stellantis’ manufacturing infrastructure to produce vehicles specifically for the European market.
Leapmotor called the start of production a key milestone in its “in Europe, for Europe” localization strategy.
This is Leapmotor’s second attempt at local production in Europe. The company began producing the T03 small EV at Stellantis’ Polish plant in 2024, but Stellantis ended the project on March 30, 2025.
Chinese media reported in August 2025 that the Zaragoza plant was scheduled to begin producing the B10 in the third quarter of 2026, followed by the B05. The official production announcement came slightly later than that schedule.
Stellantis announced an expanded partnership with Leapmotor on May 8 this year, with plans to add a production line at the plant for a new Opel C-segment electric SUV due to enter production in 2028. It also plans to transfer ownership of its Villaverde plant in Madrid to Leapmotor International’s Spanish subsidiary.
The B10, the first global model in Leapmotor’s B series, went on sale in China in April 2025 and launched in Europe at IAA Mobility 2025 that September. An updated version launched in China this July, starting at 99,800 yuan ($14,830).
The European debut of the A05 (known internationally as the B03) further broadens Leapmotor’s regional lineup. Launched in China on August 11 this year, the model measures 4,200 millimeters in length and has a wheelbase of 2,605 millimeters. Although classified as a sedan in China, it is effectively a compact hatchback.
The A05 offers 39.8-kWh and 53-kWh battery packs, providing CLTC ranges of 405 kilometers and 510 kilometers, respectively. Qualcomm’s 8295 chip comes standard across the lineup.
It is the second model built on Leapmotor’s A platform, following the A10 (B03X global naming) small SUV, and competes in China with the BYD (HKEX: 1211) Dolphin and Geely Auto (HKEX: 0175) Xingyuan.
Leapmotor has yet to announce a European launch date or pricing for the A05.
The flagship D19 SUV also appeared at the Paris Motor Show, featuring Leapmotor’s latest range-extender technology and a cell-to-body architecture.
Designed to combine long-distance driving capability with fast charging, the model showcases Leapmotor’s advances in smart cockpits and vehicle architecture to European audiences.
The show marks Leapmotor’s largest exhibition in Europe to date, with a 500-square-meter booth featuring its most comprehensive model lineup yet. The company first attended the Paris Motor Show in 2024.
Leapmotor also announced that its owners can access Stellantis’ Free2move Charge ecosystem, giving them access to more than 1 million public charging points across Europe.
Stellantis invested €1.5 billion in October 2023 to acquire about 20% of Leapmotor, becoming its largest outside shareholder.
The companies subsequently established Leapmotor International, a joint venture in which Stellantis holds a 51% stake, with exclusive rights to sell and manufacture Leapmotor products outside Greater China.
Overseas expansion is a key part of Leapmotor’s effort to reach its 2026 delivery target of 1 million vehicles. The company delivered a record 105,656 vehicles in September, exceeding 100,000 for the third consecutive month.
Leapmotor delivered 666,539 vehicles in the first 9 months of this year, up 68.52% from a year earlier and already surpassing its full-year 2025 total of 596,555.
Leapmotor’s founder said the second brand’s first product will offer an experience akin to smartphones replacing feature phones.
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