Stellantis will begin selling Chinese-made Leapmotor electric vehicles in South Africa from September 2025, starting with the C10, a plug-in hybrid SUV. Fully electric Leapmotor models are expected to follow in 2026, as part of a strategic expansion of affordable EV options in the region.
This marks a significant move in the growing diversification of South Africa’s electric vehicle market, currently dominated by premium models and a handful of Chinese brands. The C10 SUV, a range-extended electric vehicle (EREV), combines battery power with a small petrol engine that acts as a generator, providing greater flexibility in a country where EV charging infrastructure remains limited.
The entry of Leapmotor into South Africa is backed by a powerful alliance. Stellantis holds a 51% controlling stake in Leapmotor International, a joint venture formed after it acquired 21% of China’s Leapmotor in 2023. This deal gives Stellantis exclusive rights to export and sell Leapmotor vehicles outside China.
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The company is positioning the Leapmotor range as an affordable alternative, with models expected to be priced below R400,000 — a critical threshold for mass adoption in emerging markets.
Stellantis’s EV ambitions go beyond imports. The company is currently constructing a local assembly plant with a target capacity of 100,000 vehicles annually by 2030, aiming for 35% of its sales in the Middle East and Africa to be electric.
By bringing Leapmotor’s cost-effective and innovative EVs to South Africa, Stellantis is reinforcing its commitment to the continent’s transition toward cleaner mobility. The move could reshape the market by making EVs more accessible and aligning with both environmental goals and consumer affordability.
