Stellantis and Leapmotor are going all-in on Malaysian local assembly.
Stellantis and Leapmotor have announced an initiative to begin local assembly of electric vehicles in Malaysia, marking a significant advancement in the region’s electrification journey. The €5 million (RM24 million) initial investment will utilize Stellantis’ existing manufacturing facility in Gurun, Kedah, positioning Malaysia as a leader in EV production across the ASEAN region.
This strategic partnership combines Leapmotor‘s innovative EV technology with Stellantis’ regional expertise and global scale. The collaboration aligns perfectly with Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 strategy, which identifies the India & Asia Pacific region as a key growth driver for the company’s global expansion.
“This milestone marks more than the start of local assembly—it marks the next chapter in Stellantis’ electrification journey across ASEAN,” said Ashwani Muppasani, Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis India & Asia Pacific.
The Gurun facility was selected for its strategic location and established automotive infrastructure. As a regional automotive hub, it provides the ideal foundation for efficient production scale-up and distribution throughout ASEAN markets, supporting Stellantis’ ‘Built in ASEAN for ASEAN’ approach.
Production will begin with the Leapmotor C10 model, with assembly scheduled to commence by the end of 2025. This initiative supports Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy (NAP 2030) and strengthens the country’s position during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.
Beyond manufacturing, the partnership is expected to stimulate wider industrial growth, facilitate technology transfer, and enhance bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and China.
Leapmotor’s Founder and CEO Zhu Jiangming emphasized that “The localized assembly project in Malaysia will accelerate Leapmotor’s global strategic expansion,” while setting a benchmark for entering the broader Southeast Asian market.
The collaboration embodies Leapmotor International’s brand promise of “Excellence Within Reach,” reflecting its commitment to making high-quality technology affordable for consumers. Tianshu Xin, CEO of Leapmotor International, highlighted the shared goal of promoting clean energy development in local markets.
Following successful launches in Malaysia and Thailand, Leapmotor plans to expand throughout the ASEAN region, responding to growing demand for affordable, high-quality electric vehicles.
This partnership between Stellantis and Leapmotor represents a significant step toward democratizing electric mobility in Southeast Asia. Starting from Malaysia, the companies aim to create an inclusive EV future across the ASEAN region.
As production preparations advance, further details regarding specific product offerings, pricing structures, and market availability will be announced prior to the production launch in late 2025.
