What is Leapmotor?

You may think that Leapmotor is another Chinese car firm, and to an extent, it is. However, the company is in partnership with the European giant, Stellantis. The large car group owns a 49 per cent share in the company, while Leapmotor owns the remaining 51 per cent.

Leapmotor was founded in 2015 and sold its first model in China by 2019.

Last year, the firm began to expand its sales to Europe, offering a selection of affordable and highly equipped electric vehicles for the masses.

Towards the end of last year, the firm had expanded sales even further to the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and South America markets.

What cars does it sell?

Currently, Leapmotor offers two models here in the UK. The T03 and C10 are both electric vehicles that are well-equipped and come with relatively low price tags. So, what are they, and what cars are they going up against?

T03

The T03 is a small city car that rivals the likes of the Dacia Spring.

Under the bonnet, it features a 36kWh battery pack and electric motor that produces 94bhp and can do a claimed 165 miles between trips to the plug.

Where the car trumps its Romanian rival is with standard equipment. All models feature air conditioning, an electronic handbrake, a glass panoramic sunroof, 15-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen display.

But where the T03 starts to shine is with price. The entry-level car comes in at £15,995, which is only £1,000 more than its main rival, but features a lot more equipment and comes with a better electric range.

C10

The C10 is a mid-size electric SUV that has its sights set on cars like the Skoda Enyaq and Renault Scenic.

Under the bonnet, there is a 69.9kWh battery pack and electric motor that pumps out a total of 215bhp. Leapmotor claims the car can travel up to 261 miles on a single charge, making it about average in this segment.

However, the manufacturer does say that the car is compatible with DC rapid charging, allowing for a 30 to 80 per cent top-up to take just 30 minutes.

In terms of specification, the C10 only comes in one trim level. But, it isn’t short of toys, including LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, a 12-speaker HiFi premium audio system, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

What are the firm’s future plans here in the UK?

Leapmotor wants to expand its product range and extend its dealer network.

The TO3 and C10 will shortly be joined by a total of six new models by 2027.

The first will be the B10, which will be a C-segment SUV, to rival the likes of the BYD Atto 3 and Skoda Elroq.

There will be a smaller B-segment SUV to take on cars like the new Citroen e-C3 and a smaller family hatchback to compete with the MG4. However, the latter two models are yet to be revealed.

Also, the Leapmotor dealership network stands at 44 sites across the UK. However, the firm hopes to have expanded to 60 by the end of June, and will aim for 80 by the end of this year.