The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, Leapmotor, has entered South Africa and its vehicles will soon be available at selected Stellantis dealerships across the country.
Founded in 2015 by tech expert, Jiangming Zhu, Leapmotor has quickly established itself as a serious player in China’s EV market. With full control of its value chain, from battery design to embedded software, Leapmotor has already sold more than 600 000 fully electric vehicles in less than a decade and aims to reach 500 000 annual sales in 2025.
Through a strategic joint venture with Stellantis, Leapmotor International is now embarking on an ambitious global expansion. By leveraging Stellantis’s extensive infrastructure and extensive distribution network, Leapmotor is well-positioned to bring its unique blend of electric vehicle technology to South Africa.
“South Africa is a key market for Stellantis, and the launch of Leapmotor marks an important step in offering innovative new-energy vehicle options through product, innovation and partnerships,” says Stellantis Managing Director, Mike Whitfield.
At the heart of Leapmotor's innovation is its Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) technology. This system incorporates a combustion engine dedicated exclusively to recharge the battery, with no traction on the wheels, thus guaranteeing a 100% electric driving experience, while addressing one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption in South Africa, namely range anxiety.
In South Africa, where challenges like limited charging infrastructure is still a reality, REEV offers a practical solution. By combining electric driving with built-in charging flexibility, the technology ensures reliability across both urban and rural conditions. With fuel costs and the need for affordable, sustainable mobility, Leapmotor positions REEV as a pragmatic response to South Africa’s evolving transport landscape.
“By bringing Leapmotor into our portfolio, Stellantis South Africa reaffirms this commitment,” concludes Mike Whitfield.
Leapmotor at Stellantis South Africa announced a partnership agreement with boutique car rental company, Drive Electric, to make premium electric mobility more accessible to local driving consumers.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are still expected to dominate the European Union’s (EU) car market from 2035, yet their eventual share could vary considerably depending on the strength of upcoming emissions rules, according to new findings from the transport campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E).
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in the United States (US) has renewed its backing for policies aimed at preventing Chinese vehicle manufacturers from establishing a foothold in the US, despite growing expectations that their entry may be inevitable.
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Leapmotor at Stellantis South Africa announced a partnership agreement with boutique car rental company, Drive Electric, to make premium electric mobility more accessible to local driving consumers.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are still expected to dominate the European Union’s (EU) car market from 2035, yet their eventual share could vary considerably depending on the strength of upcoming emissions rules, according to new findings from the transport campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E).
Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) is on schedule to complete construction of the next two off-grid electric vehicle (EV) charging station developments of CHARGE N3 Roadside and CHARGE N3 Tugela.
