Leapao’s new B10 enters the European electric vehicle market

It feels like every other week there’s a new Chinese carmaker flooding into Europe, unencumbered by the looming threat of EU tariffs. This time it’s a zero-running car, and it’s backed by one of Europe’s automotive giants, Stellantis. Leapmotor’s B10 compact SUV debuted at the Paris Motor Show and is designed to compete with models such as the Kia EV3, Jeep Avenger and Hyundai Kona, offering consistent high-tech features at a relatively affordable price.

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This latest world premiere puts the spotlight on Leapmotor’s aggressive expansion in Europe, which has established more than 200 dealers in 13 markets and plans to increase its sales points to 500 by 2025.

More: All the world premieres at the 2024 Paris Motor Show

The B10 is powered by Leapmotor’s latest LEAP 3.5 platform and is full of common technology buzzwords: advanced driver assistance systems, customizable digital cockpits and smart connectivity. There’s an all-electric version, as well as a range-extended model with a 1.5-liter engine, which keeps the electric car alive without having to worry about running out of juice.

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However, we’re still waiting on actual specs, including range, power, or anything else that might make the B10 stand out in the already crowded field of electric subcompacts and compact SUVs.

Familiar design cues

In terms of design, the focus is on sleek, simplified lines and details like flush door handles and thin light bars at either end, all of which borrow heavily from its larger sibling, the C10. It looks good, but it’s hard to escape the feeling that we’ve seen it before – there’s even a hint of Cayenne in the profile and rear. Leapmotor hasn’t shared any interior photos yet, but it’s likely to reflect the C10’s minimalist cabin, with a large screen dominating the otherwise simple dashboard.

Pricing and availability

Pricing is still under wraps, but when the B10 arrives in Europe late next year, it’s expected to cost just under €30,000, putting it in an already crowded segment dominated by established rivals. With so much competition, Zero Sports Cars needs more than just buzzwords to truly stand out.

Stellantis helps Leapmotor enter Europe

Leapmotor’s foray into Europe benefits from Stellantis’ distribution and service network, which means the Chinese brand will rely heavily on the resources of its partners to achieve this goal. Xin Tianshu, CEO of Leapao International, also acknowledged this, calling Stellantis’ infrastructure an “unparalleled advantage.” In other words, it might not be a matter of Zero Motors entering a new market, but of Stellantis adding another brand to its crowded lineup.

Leapmotor plans to release a new model every year for the next three years, and its ambitions are obviously very high. But it remains to be seen whether the B10 will stand out or fade out of the market. There are currently no plans for a U.S. release, so Europe is currently the proving ground for the Zero Roadster. Let’s see if Stellantis’ support can turn this partnership into more than just another checkbox on the electric vehicle trend table.

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