PETALING JAYA: Stellantis will begin assembling Leapmotor electric vehicles (EVs) at its Gurun plant in Kedah by the end of the year, a move aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s position as the company’s key manufacturing hub for Asean and beyond.
The rollout will start with the Leapmotor C10 SUV before expanding to other models such as the smaller B10 SUV.
“Malaysia is the first market in the region to launch Leapmotor and the all-new C10, and now we are following it up with the official announcement of our local assembly plans,” said Stellantis (Asean) managing director Isaac Yeo.
Yeo.
The Gurun plant currently has a production capacity of 60,000 units a year, with the ability to expand to 80,000 or even 90,000 units if needed.
“With 14 brands in our portfolio, we can release six to eight brands in Malaysia," said Yeo.
In Stellantis' portfolio are Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall.
Yeo also said Malaysia is essentially the company's Asean hub for manufacturing and exports that can cater to other regions.
"In fact, Malaysia is our Inter Asia Pacific headquarters,” Yeo explained.
B10.
He added that the assembly plant would enable the company to respond more quickly to market needs and expand its EV offerings across the region as needed.
Leapmotor’s introduction is part of the company’s wider multi-brand strategy, anchored by the Stellantis Brand House concept — a retail model that offers multiple marques under one roof.
“The Stellantis Brand House has been implemented, starting with Taiwan, with Singapore being next, with Malaysia moving to Stage One of the initiative," he said.
Yeo also revealed that while the company already have Peugeot and Leapmotor models, it will be joined by Alfa Romeo and Jeep later this year or early next year.
The Malaysian rollout is unique as the company manages the business directly here, meaning only selected dealers will be able to participate in the Brand House initiative, and this will be based on the demographics the dealer serves.
B10.
The Brand House also integrates the company’s multi-energy solutions, allowing customers to choose from petrol, hybrid or electric vehicles, according to their needs.
Meanwhile, the company is accelerating its expansion in the region, with plans to introduce Leapmotor, Jeep and Alfa Romeo in markets such as Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.
“This will strengthen our footprint and give customers access to vehicles that suit different tastes, budgets and mobility needs,” said Yeo.
On trade matters, Yeo acknowledged that global developments have had some impact.
“We are fully supportive of governmental changes, and we mitigate the risk as it comes.
C10.
"For the Asean market, I do not see it disrupting our business because whatever impact we have from production in the central side or the US, we are absorbing it in the company,” he said.
He added that the potential impact in Malaysia would depend on the government’s eventual stance on tariffs with the US.
“Nothing has been announced officially. In Asean today, the only country that has officially announced 0% tariff is Cambodia," he explained.
However, while keeping an eye on shifting global trade policies, Yeo stressed that the company’s strategic view of Malaysia is unwavering.
“The nation’s pivotal role in Asean is underpinned by its location, manufacturing capabilities and skilled workforce.
"These core strengths make Malaysia an ideal hub for diversifying our supply chains and an attractive market for long-term investment,” he said.
The company is working closely with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to increase local content and strengthen the supply chain.
“This will be important for the long term. The government is very focused on how the industry is moving forward," said Yeo,
Additionally, Yeo maintained the need to keep a close eye on economic developments (especially in Asean), to remain agile and adjust to market conditions while keeping their long-term strategy intact.
Furthermore, as part of the company's long-term strategy is the introduction of its Eurorepar network offering cost-effective servicing and repairs for multi-brand vehicles is planned to help further enhance customer confidence.
“Our focus is to offer customers greater choice, better accessibility and products that meet both current and future mobility needs, and Malaysia plays a central role in achieving that,” concluded Yeo.
