Leapmotor’s B10 has surged to the top of Spain’s electric SUV market, but the company still hasn’t picked which model will be built in Madrid. The decision could shake up Spain’s EV industry.
Leapmotor’s B10 just became Spain’s best-selling electric SUV, beating out models from Kia, BYD, and Tesla. But even with this win, the company hasn’t said which car it will make at its Madrid plant. The next step is still up in the air.
Francesco Giacalone, who leads global marketing and planning for Leapmotor, admitted the company hasn’t made up its mind. "We still have to decide exactly which product to localize," he said. He pointed out that the Madrid factory could help Leapmotor grow, and maybe even other Stellantis brands. There’s no official word yet, and Giacalone wouldn’t say what "beyond Leapmotor" might mean.
Preseries assembly of Leapmotor B10 and B05 projects is already underway at Stellantis's Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, using existing lines as part of the ramp-up to full production.
Right now, preseries 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, quality, and open capacity. He said the B10’s success there proves it works.
Chinese carmakers are moving fast into Europe. Older brands are being forced to rethink their plans. New tariffs on cars built in China and incentives for European-made EVs are pushing Leapmotor to set up local production. Giacalone said building cars in Europe lets the company get purchase subsidies and react faster to what buyers want.
The Villaverde plant in Madrid now builds the C4 and C4X, including electric versions. But these models are set to end production around 2028. No replacement from Citroën, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, or Fiat has been named. That leaves a gap Leapmotor could fill.
According to industry reports, Stellantis invested approximately €1.5 billion for a 20–21% stake in Leapmotor in 2023, creating a joint channel for Leapmotor's international expansion outside China. This partnership is seen as a strategic move to bypass EU tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles and to access national subsidies for electric cars in Europe.
Stellantis bought a 20% stake in Leapmotor for €1.5 billion in 2023. That deal made Leapmotor the group’s sixth-biggest brand by sales. If a second Leapmotor model is built in Spain, it would mark a big shift. The company is using Stellantis’s European factories to get around 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 fast. Car companies are scrambling to keep up with new rules and what buyers want. Volkswagen just started mass production of the ID Cross at its Navarra plant, as reported earlier. This shows how urgent it is for automakers to build EVs in Europe and secure their place in the market.
Leapmotor’s next move in Madrid will show how quickly new players can adapt to changing rules and market needs. With Stellantis’s support and strong sales, Leapmotor is not just another Chinese brand testing Europe. It’s becoming a real force in Spain’s electric car industry.
