Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., Ltd., trading as Leapmotor, is a Chinese automobile manufacturer headquartered in Hangzhou, China, specializing in developing electric vehicles. The company was founded in 2015, and sold its first vehicles in 2019. In 2023, Stellantis acquired a 20 percent stake of Leapmotor, and started to sell Leapmotor vehicles in parts of Europe in 2024.
History
In December 2015, Dahua Technology, together with controlling shareholder Fu Liquan and director Zhu Jiangming, founded Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., Ltd. Fu Liquan and Zhu Jiangming are also co-founders of Dahua Technology.In March 2017, the Leapmotor brand was officially launched.[3]
In November 2017, Leapmotor released its first product, the Leapmotor S01.[4] On June 13, 2018, at CES Asia, Leapmotor announced that the first domestically made artificial intelligence (AI) chip, dubbed "Lingxin 01", has entered the integration verification phase.
The AI chip was co-developed by Leapmotor and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., Ltd (Dahua Technology), and was expected to be tested on vehicles in the second quarter of 2019.
The Lingxin 01 is designed for autonomous vehicles, and features the capability of deep learning and leading computing power.[5] The company vertically integrates high margin components by developing and building its own components such as electric traction motors, vehicle CPU, and LED lighting.[6]
In October 2018, Leapmotor announced plans to roll out 3 new models over the span of 2018 to 2021, including the S01, the T03 and the C11, based on the S, T and C vehicle platform respectively.[7]
In June 2019, the first product, the Leapmotor S01 electric 2-door coupe, is launched on the Chinese market.A prototype was shown at the 2017 Guangzhou Auto Show.At that time, the company had raised RMB 380 million in capital, and construction of the factory had started.The S01 was initially shown as the LP-S01 coupe earlier in 2018.[8] The first deliveries occurred of the S01 in June 2019.[9][10]
On 11 May 2020, Leapmotor officially launched its second mass-production EV, the Leapmotor T03 electric city car. The vehicle was launched with a total of 3 models, the price range after subsidy is 65,800-75,800 yuan (~US $9,280 – US $10,691). The Leapmotor T03 is equipped with a battery pack with a capacity of 36.5 kWh, and a 403 km NEDC cruising range.[11]
In November 2020, Leapmotor officially launched the third mass-production EV, the Leapmotor C11 electric crossover, based on the 2019 C-More concept. The C11 is powered by dual electric motors jointly rated at 400 kW and 720 Nm of torque. The Leapmotor C11 have around 600 km of driving range.[12]
As of 2026, Leapmotor invests in over fifty companies for materials, research, development and manufacturing of parts. Those companies typically have the word 凌 in their name. 65% of parts developed and manufactured in-house, aiming for 80%.[13][14]
Products
Current models
Upcoming models
Discontinued models
Concept vehicles
Sales
Partnerships
FAW Group
In May 2020, Leapmotor and state-owned Chinese automaker FAW forged a strategic partnership to jointly develop intelligent electric vehicle models.The agreement also involves the joint cooperation on R&D, manufacture, production and application of intelligent electric vehicle core parts, and the further research on the development of key basic technologies and the innovation of production measures.[33]
In August 2023, FAW-VW, a joint venture between FAW and Volkswagen Group, entered discussions with Leapmotor to explore the potential acquisition of a platform for manufacturing new electric cars under the Jetta brand, specifically tailored for the Chinese market.[34] In March 2025, FAW Group and Leapmotor signed the MOU on strategic cooperation, under which the two parties will jointly develop passenger vehicles and collaborate on auto parts.[35][36]
In April 2025 at the Auto Shanghai, Leapmotor chairman Zhu Jiangming revealed that the two companies have finalized their partnership and will jointly develop a model for the Hongqi brand targeting overseas markets. Mass production of the new vehicle is set to begin in the second half of 2026 at Leapmotor's Hangzhou plant. The new Hongqi model will be built on the same platform as Leapmotor B10 with both battery electric and range-extender powertrain.[37]
In December 2025, Leapmotor announced that FAW Group would acquire 5% of its shares for 3.744 billion yuan. Following this acquisition, the stake held by Zhu Jiangming and other shareholders, who together form the single largest shareholder group, will dilute from 23.75% to 22.56%, while Stellantis' stake will decrease from 19.99% to 18.99%. The investment funds from FAW will be allocated in proportions of 50%, 25%, and 25% for research and development, supplementing working capital and general corporate purposes, and expanding the sales and service network while enhancing brand awareness, respectively.[38][39][40]
Stellantis
In October 2023, Stellantis acquired a 20% stake in Leapmotor for €1.5 billion.[41] As part of the agreement, Leapmotor International, a joint venture 51% owned by Stellantis and 49% owned by Leapmotor, was established to handle distribution and production of Leapmotor cars outside China, supporting the company's expansion plans, notably in Europe.[42][43]
In February 2024, Reuters reported that Stellantis was exploring the possibility of producing a Leapmotor model at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy.[44] In June, production of the Leapmotor T03 city car began at its plant in Tychy, Poland.[45]
It was also reported that Leapmotor International and Stellantis have cancelled the plan of manufacturing the B10 model in Poland and decided to move its production to Slovakia and Germany.
In May 2024, it was announced that Leapmotor International would launch the brand in Europe through Stellantis' dealer network from September 2024, covering Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Portugal and other countries. Starting from the fourth quarter of 2024, Leapmotor International will enter India and the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa (Turkey, Israel, French Overseas Territories) and South America (Brazil, Chile). Six new models will be introduced starting in 2025 with the T03 and C10 launched first.In the next three years, Leapmotor International will launch at least one new model every year.[48][49]
In October 2025, it was reported that Stellantis was to market a rebadged variant of the Leapmotor B10 under the Opel brand for the European market.Stellantis was reportedly considering producing it in its plant in Zaragoza, Spain.[50] As of January 2026, Stellantis is to start production of the B10 in one of its plants in Spain.[51]
That month, it was also reported that Leapmotor's range extender technology was being considered for use in Stellantis vehicles in Europe, while European-market Leapmotor models could use existing Stellantis platforms.[52]
