Stellantis Set To Establish Malaysia CKD For Leapmotor EV Brand

Representatives from Stellantis, Leapmotor, and Leapmotor International showing their signed agreements to start local assembly (CKD) for the Leapmotor brand in Malaysia.

Earlier today, representatives from both Stellantis, Leapmotor, and Leapmotor International, held a joint press conference detailing plans to establish a local assembly (CKD) operation for the latter premium Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand here in Malaysia.

Several agreements were signed by representatives from both the multinational automaking giant and its EV-making partners from China. The initiative will see Stellantis utilise its plant in Gurun, Kedah, to localise production of Leapmotor models.

The new initiative will see Stellantis utilise its plant in Gurun, Kedah to locally produce Leapmotor models.

The effort sees Stellantis putting up an initial investment worth €5 million (approx. RM24 million) to establish this. Additionally, this will also place Malaysia at the forefront of EV industrialisation in the ASEAN region, claims Stellantis.

“The Gurun plant has become a cornerstone of Stellantis’ manufacturing presence in the region. We have proactively enhanced its capabilities to support EV assembly, and we are proud that Leapmotor will be the first locally assembled electric vehicle to emerge from this plant,” remarked Isaac Yeo, MD of Stellantis ASEAN, during the signing ceremony held earlier today.

Stellantis, Leapmotor, and Leapmotor International representatives posing with the Leapmotor C10. Said EV D-SUV offering will be the first to be localised by Stellantis in Gurun under this initiative.

“The localised assembly project in Malaysia will accelerate Leapmotor's global strategic expansion. We look forward to working with Stellantis Group to bring new technology and vitality to the transformation of Malaysia's automotive industry,” adds Zhu Jiangming, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Leapmotor, who was also present for the ceremony mentioned.

Once it commences, this new Leapmotor CKD operation in Gurun, Kedah is set to begin localising the Leapmotor C10 model first – the marque’s first premium D-segment EV SUV offering launched locally back in Oct 2024 with an RRP of RM159,000.

Launched back in Oct 2024, the Leapmotor C10 EV D-SUV offering currently retails with an RRP of RM159,000.

Apart from announcing the agreements, no specific timeline for the release of the localised (CKD) Leapmotor C10 model were detailed. Additionally, no indication regarding price changes were indicated too, though we reckon the latter will be announced as both firms solidify plans for the former.

Overall, this initiative is poised to align Stellantis with Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy (NAP 2030) and supports the country’s broader ambitions under its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. Beyond automotive manufacturing, the collaboration is also expected to stimulate industrial growth, support technology transfer, and further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and China.