Stellantis And Leapmotor Expands In ASEAN; Local EV Assembly In Malaysia To Start End 2025

Stellantis and Leapmotor have announced the start of local assembly for Leapmotor electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia, marking a major milestone in their strategic collaboration. The local assembly will take place at Stellantis’ manufacturing facility in Gurun, Kedah, with production scheduled to begin by the end of 2025.

This move also marks Leapmotor’s first step into local manufacturing within ASEAN and is backed by an initial investment of EUR 5 million (approximately RM24 million). The initiative supports Stellantis’ wider goal of driving sustainable mobility across Southeast Asia, in line with its Dare Forward 2030 strategy, and strengthens the company’s presence in the India & Asia Pacific (IAP) region.

Ashwani Muppasani, Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis India & Asia Pacific, said, “This milestone marks more than the start of local assembly—it marks the next chapter in Stellantis’ electrification journey across ASEAN. By combining Leapmotor’s EV innovation and success with Stellantis’ regional expertise and global scale, we are laying the foundation for an accessible, sustainable future of mobility right here in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia.”

The Gurun plant, which already plays a key role in Stellantis’ regional operations, will be further enhanced to accommodate EV production. Gurun’s strategic location and developed automotive ecosystem allow for efficient scaling and distribution throughout the ASEAN region, in line with Stellantis’ “Built in ASEAN for ASEAN” approach. 

Isaac Yeo, Managing Director of Stellantis ASEAN, said, “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. This marks a meaningful step forward not just for Stellantis, but for Malaysia’s role in the regional EV landscape.”

The first model to be assembled locally will be the Leapmotor C10. This move aligns with Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy 2030 (NAP 2030) and the government’s broader ambitions during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. The initiative is expected to contribute to technology transfer, spur industrial growth, and reinforce bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and China.

Zhu Jiangming, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Leapmotor, added that, “The localized 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, and to set a benchmark and model for opening up the entire Southeast Asian market for Leapmotor.”

Tianshu Xin, Chief Executive Officer of Leapmotor International, said, “Leapmotor International’s brand promise is ‘Excellence Within Reach.’ This is not just a slogan—it reflects Leapmotor’s commitment to offering consumers ‘technology for all, high quality at an affordable price.’ This collaboration also highlights the shared goal of Stellantis and Leapmotor to promote clean energy development in the local market.”

Following Leapmotor’s introduction to Malaysia in October 2024 and a successful launch in Thailand, the company is set to expand further into ASEAN markets. With Stellantis’ regional scale and Leapmotor’s competitive EV offerings, the collaboration is poised to meet growing demand for high-tech, affordable electric mobility in the region.

Additional details on product variants, pricing, and market rollout will be shared ahead of the production start.