Stellantis Brings China’s Leapmotors To North America, But You Won’t See One In The US
Leapmotor officially enters Mexico with Stellantis and Mopar support, but US entry is blocked by tariffs and regulations.
Key Takeaways
- Leapmotor has officially launched in Mexico with the B10 SUV, backed by Stellantis and Mopar.
- The B10 features a range-extender powertrain with a 1.5-liter combustion engine and an 18.8 kWh battery.
- The vehicle claims a combined driving range of up to 615 miles (990 km) before refueling and recharging.
- Leapmotor’s entry into Mexico marks an important milestone for the brand as it pushes toward its target of delivering one million vehicles worldwide this year.
- The US market remains closed to Leapmotor due to steep tariffs on Chinese-built EVs and restrictions on connected vehicle technology.
What is Leapmotor and how did it enter Mexico?
Leapmotor is a Chinese automaker that has spent the past few years expanding its presence globally. The brand has finally reached North America, but not in the way some expected. Instead of entering the US market, Leapmotor has launched in Mexico, where it has officially introduced the B10 SUV.
The B10 has been adapted for local conditions, with engineers fine-tuning it to cope with everything from high altitude roads to desert heat and tropical humidity. The vehicle has also completed the certification process required for the Mexican market.
What powers the Leapmotor B10?
The B10 features a range-extender powertrain, which combines a 1.5-liter combustion engine with an 18.8 kWh battery. The engine never drives the wheels directly, but instead acts as a generator for the battery, which feeds a 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) electric motor.
This powertrain allows the B10 to claim a combined driving range of up to 615 miles (990 km) before refueling and recharging. The vehicle is priced at MX$575,000 (US$33,000) in Mexico.
How does Leapmotor’s entry into Mexico impact its global ambitions?
Leapmotor’s entry into Mexico marks an important milestone for the brand as it pushes toward its target of delivering one million vehicles worldwide this year. The brand is expected to introduce more models in Mexico, including the larger C10 and C16 SUVs.
Canada could eventually become the next piece of the puzzle, particularly as Stellantis considers future manufacturing options there. However, the US market remains closed to Leapmotor due to steep tariffs on Chinese-built EVs and restrictions on connected vehicle technology.
What are the implications of Leapmotor’s US market absence?
The US market remains effectively closed to Leapmotor due to steep tariffs on Chinese-built EVs and restrictions on connected vehicle technology. This has forced other Chinese automakers, such as Polestar, out of the US market.
Leapmotor’s absence from the US market is a significant blow to the brand’s global ambitions. However, the brand is expected to continue expanding its presence in other markets, including Mexico and potentially Canada.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Price (Mexico) | MX$575,000 (US$33,000) |
| Powertrain | Range-extender with 1.5-liter combustion engine and 18.8 kWh battery |
| Electric Motor | 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) |
| Combined Driving Range | Up to 615 miles (990 km) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Leapmotor and how did it enter Mexico?
Leapmotor is a Chinese automaker that has launched in Mexico with the B10 SUV, backed by Stellantis and Mopar. The brand has adapted the vehicle for local conditions and completed the certification process required for the Mexican market.
Q: What powers the Leapmotor B10?
The B10 features a range-extender powertrain, which combines a 1.5-liter combustion engine with an 18.8 kWh battery. The engine never drives the wheels directly, but instead acts as a generator for the battery, which feeds a 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) electric motor.
Q: Why is Leapmotor not available in the US market?
Leapmotor is not available in the US market due to steep tariffs on Chinese-built EVs and restrictions on connected vehicle technology. This has forced other Chinese automakers, such as Polestar, out of the US market.
