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.
Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) welcomes the government’s extension of short term fuel levy relief measures aimed at cushioning consumers from rising fuel prices, but cautions that these interventions do not address the underlying structural challenge facing South Africa’s transport economy.
Volvo Cars has started building the fully electric EX60 at its Torslanda factory outside Gothenburg, with first customer deliveries due in early summer.
Changan has unveiled its ambitious “1+4+4+5” global strategy, signalling a determined push to become one of the world’s top ten automotive brands by 2030.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) welcomes the government’s extension of short term fuel levy relief measures aimed at cushioning consumers from rising fuel prices, but cautions that these interventions do not address the underlying structural challenge facing South Africa’s transport economy.
Volvo Cars has started building the fully electric EX60 at its Torslanda factory outside Gothenburg, with first customer deliveries due in early summer.
At Auto China 2026, Nissan unveiled two new NEV SUV concept cars, in its accelerated product rollout. It also highlights China’s role as one of the company’s lead markets and a global innovation and export hub, according to Nissan.
