If the names MG and BYD are already ringing loudly on our roads, prepare for a second wave. This week, the spotlight has turned to Leapmotor, one of the most innovative Chinese brands, which has officially launched operations in several key European markets.
Its arrival, backed by the giant Stellantis, is not an isolated move, but rather the spearhead of a new landing strategy that is more sophisticated and dangerous than ever for traditional manufacturers.
Leapmotor isn't launching with a single product, but rather a two-pronged attack. On one hand, the small T03 , an electric city car with over 280 km of range that seeks to compete directly on price with models like the Dacia Spring or the Citroën ë-C3. On the other hand, the C10 SUV , a much larger and more technological vehicle, loaded with LiDAR sensors and an advanced software platform, is aiming directly at the heart of the market, competing with models like the Tesla Model Y or the Hyundai Ioniq 5, but with a much more aggressive pricing policy.
Stellantis's "Trojan Horse"
The key to Leapmotor's success is not just its product, but its partner. By partnering with Stellantis (the group that owns Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, etc.), Leapmotor secures access to an established dealership and after-sales service network across Europe. This eliminates, in one fell swoop, the main obstacle faced by many new brands: consumer mistrust due to the lack of close, reliable support. It's a masterstroke that combines Chinese agility and technology with European reach and experience.
Beyond Leapmotor: Who's Next?
Leapmotor's arrival is just the beginning. Other brands like Xpeng , with its autonomous driving technology, or Nio , with its battery swapping stations, are already increasing their presence. Unlike the first Chinese brands that arrived years ago, these new companies are not competing only on price, but also on technology, software, and user experience, challenging European manufacturers on their own turf.
The arrival of Leapmotor isn't an anecdote; it's a symptom. The European automotive landscape is changing at breakneck speed. For consumers, this translates into more options and potentially lower prices. For workshops and professionals, like those who read manualsdemecanica.com, it means the urgent need to train and adapt to new electronic architectures, new components, and new repair procedures. The new era of the automotive industry is no longer the future; it's the present, and it has arrived from China.
August 27, 2025
