This is a decision that could well accelerate the development of sales of the Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor in Europe. Stellantis plans to assemble its small 100% electric city car, the T03, at its factory in Tychy, Poland, Reuters understands, citing two sources close to the matter.
A production start before summer?
While Chinese giant BYD recently confirmed the construction of its first factory outside China, in Hungary, with production scheduled to start in 2027, Leapmotor could well be the first Chinese brand to produce locally in Europe.
According to Reuters, the first examples of the T03 manufactured in Tychy could leave the Polish factory before the end of June. A plant that currently assembles Fiat 500 thermals, Jeep Avenger and the future Alfa Romeo Milano.
The schedule for this industrial implementation would be very tight: the T03s would arrive in kits already partially assembled: in SKD for “Semi Disassembled”, as opposed to CKD for “Complete Disassembled”, with all spare parts separated.
Stellantis, international partner of Leapmotor
At the end of last year, Stellantis acquired around 20% of Leapmotor, for almost 1.5 billion euros. This association agreement also provided for the creation of a joint company “Leapmotor International”, in which the group led by Carlos Tavares has a majority.
This joint venture holds, in particular, the exclusive rights to manufacture, export and sell Leapmotor products outside of China. “This will be the first international partnership of its kind in the electric vehicle market between one of the world’s leading automakers and a new generation Chinese automaker,” underlines the Stellantis press release.
Models made in China deprived of bonuses
When asked, Stellantis has yet to respond to our requests for comment as several questions arise about this strategy. Especially with Carlos Tavares, who has always been very critical of the red carpet extended to Chinese manufacturers in Europe.
The urban T03, which has a WLTP range of 280 kilometers, has been sold in France since last year and competes in particular with the Renault group’s basic offering, with the electric Twingo and the Dacia Spring.
In France, the current importer of Leapmotor has registered 510 examples of the T03 in 2023, indicated an article in the Journal de l’Automobile at the beginning of March, while talking about the production of the small Chinese car in the historic Fiat factory. .in Mirafiori (Turin), but only from 2026.
Like all vehicles produced in China (Tesla Model 3, Dacia Spring, MG4, etc.), the T03 loses access to the French ecological bonus from December 15 with the application of the environmental score. Its price thus increased from 21,000 euros (discounting the bonus of 5,000 euros, now at 4,000 euros) to 26,000 euros. According to data from NGC Data, in January and February 2024, just over 100 copies were registered and the importer reduced its price to 23,450 euros.
The T03, competitor of the future Citroën ë-C3
The T03 is thus more expensive than the electric Renaut Twingo (starting at 21,500 euros, bonus deducted) or the Dacia Spring (currently under renovation with a new version without bonus but a priori still below 20,000 euros).
Production in Poland, but in kits, does not guarantee, however, that the Leapmotor T03 can regain access to the French ecological bonus. Therefore, Stellantis could maintain the project of producing this car directly in Turin, after this assembly in kits in Poland.
Stellantis will also soon launch its first “affordable” electric model, the upcoming Citroën ë-C3, with a range of 320 km. Its price will start at 23,300 euros and you will be able to benefit from the ecological bonus with production in Slovakia. That is to say, a final price of 19,300 euros, or even 16,300 minus the aid increased to 7,000 euros for less fortunate households.
Source: BFM TV
