Cheaper EVs in 2025 from LeapMotor/Stellantis?

[raspy]

So who is likely to take a leap on getting a Leapmotor EV next year?

"Leapmotor International, the joint venture business formed by Stellantis and Leapmotor last year, has confirmed plans two full electric models will be launched in the UK in March 2025, the C10 mid-size SUV, offering 261 miles of range (WLTP), and the T03 A-sector city car (165 miles WLTP range).

A further four models to follow over the subsequent two-to-three years.

The cars will be sold via the traditional franchised model, with those currently operating one of the Stellantis brands – Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Vauxhall and Maserati – given the first option.

The number of dealers in the network has not been revealed, but a spokesman said it would be 'sizeable'.

A brand director for the UK is expected to be announced in the next week or so.

While UK pricing is yet to be confirmed, the five-star Euro NCAP C10 is priced from £15,000 in China, while the T03 retails for just £5,500.

'We have benchmarked the C10 against the Model 3 and Model Y and the ID4,' said Leapmotor founder and CEO Zhu Jiangming.

'The T03 is benchmarked against the Fiat 500.'

Pricing in the UK will be comparable to the likes of BYD, GWM Ora and Omoda.

The C10, therefore, is likely to be pitched from around £35,000.

It is understood that the C10 will be exported from China, while the T03 will be assembled in Europe."

https://www.am-online.com/news/Stellantis-reveals-...

[ian_c_uk]

Whilst many manufacturers attempt to improve quality and showcase "halo" cars that bring people into dealerships, only Stellantis could find something of a lower quality than the rest of their offerings.

I am reminded of the previous attempts to sell Daewoo and Chevrolet (not the interesting ones!) here. Everything will sell at the right price of course, but I can't imagine these will be cheap enough to succeed.

[raspy]

ian_c_uk said:

Whilst many manufacturers attempt to improve quality and showcase "halo" cars that bring people into dealerships, only Stellantis could find something of a lower quality than the rest of their offerings.

I am reminded of the previous attempts to sell Daewoo and Chevrolet (not the interesting ones!) here. Everything will sell at the right price of course, but I can't imagine these will be cheap enough to succeed.

Lower quality? Ah yes, that must explain why the T03 was ranked No. 1 in the JD Power Initial Quality Study in the small BEV segment and why the C10 won the 2024 Gold Award from the French Design Awards (FDA). Must be terrible quality cars.

[OutInTheShed]

For the sake of debate, say the C10 was about £20k in the UK.
Maybe that might translate to £300 per month for 3 years?
I would imagine a lot of people might be interested.

And then 3 years on, it might be approved used with a decent warranty for £10k?
Can I fit a towbar?

[DaveCWK]

With USA now leading the way, surely its only a matter of time before UK/Europe place heavy tariffs on Chinese EV's.

[Nomme de Plum]

DaveCWK said:

With USA now leading the way, surely its only a matter of time before UK/Europe place heavy tariffs on Chinese EV's.

We should tread very carefully when considering the imposition of trade tariffs. The Chinese economy is not as robust as it was a few years ago. The impact of their economy faltering would have a huge impact on global trade. Like it or not we are inextricably entwined with all major economies.

[raspy]

OutInTheShed said:

For the sake of debate, say the C10 was about £20k in the UK.
Maybe that might translate to £300 per month for 3 years?
I would imagine a lot of people might be interested.

And then 3 years on, it might be approved used with a decent warranty for £10k?
Can I fit a towbar?

£35,000 a year is what it's likely to be

[confused_buyer]

The T03 needs to be under the price of something like the Citroen C3 electric, otherwise what's the point for Stellantis?

As GWM found out with the Funky Cat sticking a silly price on an unknown car just results in 50% in 6 months depreciation and a bad reputation.

[ashenfie]

US leading the way with what, Blind panic?

[zayn]

also GMW ora is un-insurable
https://www.cityam.com/explained-the-uks-chinese-e...

confused_buyer said:

The T03 needs to be under the price of something like the Citroen C3 electric, otherwise what's the point for Stellantis?

As GWM found out with the Funky Cat sticking a silly price on an unknown car just results in 50% in 6 months depreciation and a bad reputation.

[Jader1973]

This makes sense to me.

Do you let your Chinese partner flog cheap EVs that undercut your line up and eat your market share, or do you do a deal to act as the importer for the ROW, give them access to your network, and take a cut?

Some other manufacturers should be taking notes, particularly the Japanese who are being hammered by (artificially) cheap Chinese EVs in Asia Pacific.