New international car brand launching in South Africa this month
Stellantis South Africa has announced a new electric vehicle brand for South Africa, with the Chinese automaker Leapmotor set to launch in the country in October.
The rollout marks the brand’s first appearance in South Africa and forms part of Stellantis’ plan to expand its range of electric models globally.
Leapmotor was founded in China in 2015 by entrepreneur Jiangming Zhu and sold its first cars in 2019. Since then, the company has sold more than 600,000 vehicles and is now targeting annual sales of 500,000 units from this year.
Stellantis, which owns 20% of Leapmotor, will distribute the cars locally through its established dealership network. Stellantis was formed in 2021 from the merger between Fiat Chrysler and France’s PSA Group.
It owns brands such as Fiat, Jeep, Peugeot, Opel, Citroën, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. Leapmotor will now join this lineup as Stellantis’ first fully electric brand in the country.
Mike Whitfield, managing director of Stellantis South Africa, said the local introduction of Leapmotor is part of the group’s strategy to offer new energy vehicle options.
“South Africa is a key market for Stellantis, and the launch of Leapmotor marks an important step in offering innovative vehicle options through product, innovation and partnerships,” he said.
Leapmotor is focusing on what it calls range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) technology, which combines an electric drivetrain with a small petrol engine that works only to recharge the battery. The engine doesn’t drive the wheels, so the car still operates as a fully electric vehicle.
Stellantis said this setup could help overcome one of the biggest challenges for EV adoption in South Africa, which is limited charging infrastructure.
“In South Africa, where energy challenges and limited charging infrastructure slow EV adoption, REEV offers a practical solution,” said the company.
The first model confirmed for local sale is the Leapmotor C10, a midsize electric SUV that will compete with cars like the VW Tiguan, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Territory.
What to expect
The C10 will be available in two versions: a battery-electric model (BEV) and a range-extended model (REEV).
The battery-electric C10 uses a 160kW motor and offers either a 52.9kWh pack with around 410km of range or a larger 69.9kWh pack with up to 530km of range.
The range-extended version includes a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 50-litre tank, which powers a generator to recharge the battery while driving.
It uses a smaller 28.4kWh battery that can provide about 145km of electric driving on its own, but the combined range with the petrol generator reaches around 970km.
This extended range could make the REEV version more appealing to South African drivers, especially those outside major cities where public charging stations are still scarce.
Stellantis has not yet confirmed local pricing or specifications, which will be announced closer to launch.
Inside, the car features a tech-heavy layout that includes heated and ventilated front seats, a large panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, and two digital displays, which include a 10.25-inch driver screen and a 14.6-inch infotainment system.
The C10’s infotainment system does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but it does offer built-in navigation and apps, including Spotify.
Leapmotor’s entry into South Africa adds to a growing list of Chinese automakers launching locally over the past two years. However, its connection with Stellantis and its focus on range-extended technology could give it a practical advantage in a market still adjusting to the realities of electric mobility.
Leapmotor C10
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