Impressive
Founded in 2015 by electrical engineer Zhu Jiangming, Leapmotor is regarded as one of the most important and, above all, most successful start-ups in China. Last year, the young brand sold almost 600,000 vehicles, an increase of over 100 per cent compared to the previous year. This certainly provides an excellent foundation in the all-important domestic market. But there is more: since 2023, there has been a joint venture between Leapmotor and the European giant Stellantis (Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, etc.). This not only means economic stability, but also, via the Stellantis sales organisations, access to over 1,700 sales outlets worldwide. Leapmotor is certainly also benefiting from other synergies within the group, for example in design and chassis development. On the other hand, Stellantis has gained a great deal of expertise in electric vehicle development through its partnership with Leapmotor, as the Chinese company is among the world’s leading car manufacturers, particularly in the areas of batteries and software. What’s more, over two-thirds of the components are manufactured in-house, which naturally has a very positive impact on value creation.
But for Zhu Jiangming, this is only the beginning, as he expressed in an impressive speech marking his brand’s 10th anniversary. By the time Leapmotor turns 20, the company founder aims to sell four million cars a year – half of them outside China. Both of these goals can certainly be described as very ambitious. On the other hand: when Leapmotor launched in Switzerland in early 2025, the range consisted of the small T03 and the C10 SUV. The B10 was added just last year. At the Motor Show in Brussels in early January, the Chinese manufacturer also unveiled the B03X, the B05 and the B10 as hybrid EVs (which is the new term for electric vehicles with a range extender). It goes without saying that expectations rise when the line-up expands to such an extent. Leapmotor sold 940 vehicles in Switzerland last year, making it by far the fastest-growing brand of all.
The fact that Leapmotor is represented in Switzerland by Emil Frey AG can be seen as further proof of confidence in the products from China. Founded in 1924, company founder Emil Frey set new standards early on with his automotive services. In a 1935 letter entitled ‘To My Esteemed Customers’, the automotive pioneer set out his business principles: he promised to ‘sell only genuine quality goods at fair prices’ as well as to provide ‘prompt and conscientious’ service through his ‘professionally trained staff’. All of this naturally applies to Leapmotor as well.
The new models:
Leapmotor B03X:
Despite being just 4.2 metres long, the all-new Leapmotor B03X aims to impress with its spaciousness – and, with a 2.6-metre wheelbase, will set a whole new standard for interior space among compact cars. Not all details of the B03X are known yet, but it will initially be launched as a pure electric vehicle.
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Leapmotor B05:
Leapmotor is breaking new ground with the B05. For the first time, it’s not just about pure practicality. With a length of 4.43 metres and its ‘hot hatch’ silhouette, the B05 aims to appeal to younger customers seeking a sportier look. The more powerful version comes with 218 hp and aims to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds. With the 67.1 kWh battery, the range is expected to exceed 600 kilometres.
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Leapmotor B10 Hybrid EV:
Previously, the 4.53-metre-long B10 was only available as a pure electric vehicle, but now a version with a range extender is being added. This means a 1.5-litre petrol engine acts as a power generator, supplying energy to the 18.8-kWh battery. The vehicle always runs on electric power, with a pure electric range of 80 kilometres. When combined with the combustion engine, the range increases to around 900 kilometres. The B10 Hybrid EV is already available in Switzerland, priced from 29,900 Swiss francs, just like the all-electric model.
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