Leapmotor’s B10 has become Spain’s best-selling electric SUV, beating Kia’s models, while BYD and Tesla also trail it. Despite the win, the company has yet to say which car it will make at its Madrid plant.
Francesco Giacalone, who leads global marketing and planning for Leapmotor, said the company has not made up its mind. "We still have to decide exactly which product to localize," he said. He pointed to the Madrid factory’s potential to help Leapmotor grow and possibly support other Stellantis brands. There’s no official word yet, and Giacalone wouldn’t explain what "beyond Leapmotor" might mean.
Pre-series production of the smaller B05 has started in Figueruelas, Zaragoza. It shares lines with Opel models and uses Stellantis’s factory network. Giacalone called the Zaragoza plant a strong choice for its cost control and quality, as well as its available capacity. He said the B10’s success there proves the setup works.
Chinese carmakers are moving quickly into Europe, forcing established brands to rethink their plans. New tariffs on cars built in China and incentives for European-made EVs are pushing Leapmotor to establish local production. Giacalone said building cars in Europe gives the company access to purchase subsidies and helps it respond faster to what buyers want.
The Villaverde plant in Madrid now builds the C4 and C4X, including electric versions, but production of these models is set to end around 2028. No replacement has been named by Citroën or Peugeot; Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Fiat have yet to name one either, leaving a gap Leapmotor could fill.
Stellantis bought a 20% stake in Leapmotor for €1.5 billion in 2023. The deal made Leapmotor the group’s sixth-biggest brand by sales. Building a second Leapmotor model in Spain would mark a impressive shift. The company is using Stellantis’s European factories to handle trade barriers and tap into local incentives.
Giacalone is upbeat about the B03X, Leapmotor’s next B-segment electric SUV. He said its market potential is similar to the B10’s. "Every car we launch, we want it to be the best-selling in its segment," he said. The B10’s current lead in Spain shows what Leapmotor is aiming for in southern Europe.
Spain’s electric car market is changing quickly as companies respond to new rules and shifting buyer preferences. Volkswagen has started mass production of the ID Cross at its Navarra plant, as reported earlier. The move reflects the pressure on automakers to build EVs in Europe and secure a place in the market.
Leapmotor’s next move in Madrid will show how quickly new players can adapt to changing rules and market needs. Backed by Stellantis and buoyed by strong sales, Leapmotor is becoming a force in Spain’s electric car industry.
