Stellantis will launch Chinese electric vehicles in South Africa in late 2025. These vehicles are developed by its partner Leapmotor. The first model, the C10 SUV, will debut in September. It is an electric vehicle that includes a petrol engine purely to charge its battery.
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More models from Leapmotor are expected in 2026. One notable option is the B10 SUV with low cost smart driving tech including lidar sensing and advanced driver assistance. Stellantis aims to make EV ownership more accessible in South Africa, a critical market in its wider Africa and Middle East strategy.
In 2023, Stellantis acquired a 21 percent stake in Leapmotor and formed the joint venture Leapmotor International, in which Stellantis holds sixty percent. The partnership supports Stellantis in offering affordable EVs and expanding its electrification efforts in the region.
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Stellantis is also constructing a local manufacturing factory in South Africa with capacity for one hundred thousand vehicles per year by 2030. It aims to lead vehicle sales in the Middle East and Africa, targeting one million units sold by then, with thirty‑five percent of these expected to be electric vehicles.
The move aligns with growing demand for cleaner transportation and government goals to reduce emissions. Stellantis sees opportunity in expanding EV availability through competitively priced models like the C10 and B10.
With over sixty percent of the South African auto market concentrated under the equivalent of USD 23 000, affordable electric models could disrupt existing pricing structures. Small business owners and budget consumers may gain access to EVs sooner through this strategy.
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If the launch goes as planned, Stellantis could reshape EV adoption in South Africa. It would challenge global brands and strengthen local supply chains. For residents and businesses, it promises faster transition to electric mobility—while sending a strong signal that Africa matters to global green auto development.
