Leapmotor has officially begun production of its B10 electric SUV at Stellantis' Zaragoza plant in Spain, marking a significant milestone in the Chinese automaker's push to localize manufacturing in Europe. According to PCauto, the move makes Leapmotor the latest Chinese EV brand to assemble vehicles on the continent, following similar steps by BYD and others.
The Zaragoza facility, which has been in operation for 43 years and has produced over 10 million vehicles, will build the B10 on the same lines as the Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, and Lancia Ypsilon. This co-production approach leverages Leapmotor's EV technology and Stellantis' established manufacturing infrastructure and local resources, a model that Silvia Vernetti, head of joint ventures and strategic planning at Stellantis, said demonstrates how global technological competitiveness and European industrial capability can be combined.
Local supply chain expansion
Beyond vehicle assembly, Leapmotor is also building a local battery supply chain. The company has set up a battery assembly base in Malien, Spain, which will handle module assembly, working in tandem with the Zaragoza plant. This extends Leapmotor's European footprint from vehicle assembly to key battery components, creating a more comprehensive localized manufacturing system.
The production start is a personal milestone for Leapmotor founder Zhu Jiangming, who first conceived of building cars in Spain in 2015. Eleven years later, his company's vehicles are rolling off a Spanish assembly line. Leapmotor's global sales have been strong, with the company reporting over 100,000 units sold per month for three consecutive months in 2026, ranking it fourth among global new-energy vehicle brands.
Global strategy
The Spanish production launch is part of Leapmotor's broader internationalization strategy, which includes not only vehicle sales but also manufacturing and technology exports. The company, which is backed by Stellantis through a joint venture, aims to compete in the European market with the B10, a compact electric SUV that offers a balance of performance and affordability.
Leapmotor's B10 is expected to be priced competitively in Europe, though no official European price has been announced. In China, the B10 starts at around 100,000 yuan (about $14,100), a Chinese guide price before taxes and incentives. The B10's CLTC range is up to 510 km, which translates to an estimated WLTP range of roughly 410-430 km. CLTC figures are typically 15-20% more optimistic than WLTP, so European drivers should expect slightly lower real-world range.
With production now underway in Spain, Leapmotor joins a growing list of Chinese EV makers establishing European manufacturing bases to mitigate tariff risks and better serve local customers. The move also signals a shift from exporting finished vehicles to building them closer to the end market, a trend that is likely to accelerate as Chinese automakers expand globally.
