Chinese language auto model Leapmotor plans to considerably increase its Australian mannequin lineup over the subsequent few years, after it launches its debut mannequin later this 12 months.
The mid-sized C10 electrical SUV will launch in November, but it surely received’t be the model’s solely mannequin domestically for lengthy.
Furthermore, Leapmotor Australia received’t restrict itself to simply SUVs and conventional electrical automobiles (EVs).
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B10
“We plan to cowl 65 per cent of the Australian segments within the subsequent three years,” Leapmotor Australia CEO Andy Hoang advised CarExpert.
“[We plan to] have as much as six fashions within the subsequent three years.”
That features the beforehand confirmed B10 compact electrical SUV, which is able to slot in underneath the C10 when it arrives in 2025.
Additionally due in 2025 would be the model’s first extended-range electrical car (EREV), which includes a petrol engine that acts as a generator as an alternative of powering the wheels immediately, giving the car higher driving vary.
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C16
The primary Leapmotor EREV to reach in Australia is anticipated to be the C10.
“After we begin with all of the metro areas… I feel when that automobile will get right here it permits us to actually fulfill the wants of consumers who have to journey longer distances so, I feel that’ll give us that subsequent development section,” stated Mr Hoang.
Past the B10 and C10, Leapmotor has a variety of fashions on sale in China.
Whereas it has to this point confirmed solely SUVs for Australia, it says it is going to provide passenger automobiles as properly.
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C11
“We’re not an SUV model. We’re a model that’s about bringing know-how to many, many individuals,” stated Mr Hoang.
“In the event you’ve seen Leapmotor, the merchandise we’ve launched in China, we’ve acquired a small automobile, we’ve acquired a sedan, we’ve acquired larger automobiles, we’ve acquired SUVs.
“So the portfolio for us goes to be ‘how can we make it possible for we’ve acquired automobiles that may match completely different wants in Australia, not simply SUVs?’.”
Leapmotor this 12 months revealed a bigger SUV referred to as the C16, which has but to be confirmed for Australia.
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C01
This slots in atop the Leapmotor vary, which additionally consists of the C11 mid-sized SUV launched in China in 2021 and the C01 massive sedan launched in 2023. Each are provided as electrical automobiles or extended-range electrical automobiles (EREVs).
There’s additionally the electrical T03 micro-car, which is being rolled out in Europe, the place it’s being constructed at Stellantis’ Tychy, Poland plant.
The corporate hasn’t confirmed which fashions it’ll provide right here past the B10 and C10, however Mr Hoang’s remarks recommend older automobiles just like the T03 received’t make the journey.
“We’re getting new merchandise designed for worldwide markets, it’s not automobiles that you simply go, ‘Why are you bringing this minivan over? Vans don’t promote in Australia’,” stated Mr Hoang.
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T03
“It’s not product that’s left over from China or previous fashions, legacy fashions that they’re attempting to convey into Australia. It’s truly new fashions created for the worldwide market.
“We wish the latest. I feel the philosophy behind Leapmotor for us is to ensure we convey that new know-how, at mass.”
The native arm will even profit from the model’s fast enlargement globally, following the institution earlier this 12 months of a three way partnership between Leapmotor and Stellantis referred to as Leapmotor Australia.
“The nice factor for us is that Leapmotor is supplying to a world viewers, so we’re ramping as much as truly go from one plant to a few vegetation,” stated Mr Hoang.
“Which implies that Australia within the huge scheme of issues… our quantity is so small that for us, to double our quantity, triple our quantity might be simple.”
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C10
Whereas Leapmotor boasts it’ll have sturdy provide, it isn’t disclosing its gross sales targets. It says, nonetheless, that it’ll develop steadily and sustainably.
“We’re not aiming to be market chief. We’re not aiming to be second or third within the first 12 months. We perceive it takes time to construct a model,” stated Mr Hoang.
Leapmotor says that whereas it expects its C10 to be well-liked with rideshare drivers, its core market might be younger mother and father aged 35 to 45. It additionally expects consumers to return not essentially out of EVs, however out of combustion-powered mid-sized SUVs.
“The way in which that we see this automobile is that folks received’t take a look at it like, ‘Oh it’s an EV, after which I’ll simply take a look at all the opposite EVs’,” stated Mr Hoang.
“It’ll be ‘what sort of automobile do I want to suit my way of life?’ after which they’ll go, ‘Oh, truly there’s an EV that’ll match this too.’ It’s the reverse.”
Leapmotor doesn’t consider its unknown identify in Australia will maintain it again.
“The primary query [customers may ask] is ‘Who’s Leapmotor? Why ought to I purchase into this story?’,” stated Mr Hoang.
“That’s going to work in opposition to us. On the flipside, I feel [the fact] that folks don’t know us additionally permits us to have a chance that they’ve an open thoughts to it, that there’s no preconceived legacy of ‘Oh it’s this, it’s that’.”
