Stellantis to debut Leapmotor's EVs in South Africa this year
The C10 is an electric SUV with a petrol engine used purely to charge the battery. More Leapmotor models are expected to be launched next year, including fully electric models, Mike Whitfield, managing director of Stellantis South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, said in a statement.
Leapmotor created waves with its recent rollout of the all-electric B10 SUV equipped with smart-driving features and lidar sensing technology for less than $18,000.
In 2023, Stellantis bought a 21% stake in Leapmotor for $1.6 billion. The two automakers also formed the joint venture Leapmotor International, in which Stellantis holds a 51% stake.
Leapmotor will help the world's fourth-largest automaker widen its range of affordable EVs, as it presses ahead with electrification at a time when other Chinese automakers including BYD (002594.SZ), opens new tab and Chery Auto are aggressively expanding into Africa.
"South Africa is a critical market for Stellantis, and we are fully committed to unlocking its potential through product, innovation and meaningful partnerships," Whitfield said.
Stellantis, which entered the South African market four years ago, is building a new plant in the country, with a maximum capacity of 100,000 vehicles by 2030. It plans to become the No.1 player in the Middle East and Africa region with one million vehicles sold by 2030, with 35% expected to be electric.
In 2024, it sold 500,000 cars in the Middle East and Africa.
With over 60% of the South African market concentrated below the 400,000 rand ($22,755) price point, Stellantis' Citroën C3 range is gaining strong traction, with the upcoming C3 Basalt set to complete a competitive lineup in the accessible B-hatch and SUV segments early next year, Whitfield said.
Stellantis will also launch the Citroën C3 Hola panel van, its entry into the growing commercial vehicle sector aimed at small business owners.
($1 = 17.5780 rand)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
Second-hand Citroen C3 sales halted over airbag recall
The warning was extended after the French manufacturer's parent company Stellantis issued a 'stop-drive' notice to certain Citroen models in June. It comes after a woman sustained fatal injuries caused by an airbag in a 2014 Citroen C3 in Reims, France, last year. Stellantis UK announces an immediate stop-drive action for all Citroën C3 (second generation) manufactured between 2009 and 2019 equipped with Takata airbags. Owners of such vehicles should immediately stop driving their vehicle. Now, second-hand Citroens are also being included in the warning amid thousands still being listed for sale across the UK, according to This is Money. 'Buyers could have been driving away in potentially dangerous motors while also invalidating their insurance,' an article states. Since then, a team of motor trade lawyers have now issued a nationwide warning to used car dealers to suspend sales of vehicles in stock The vehicles affected are second-generation Citroen C3s produced from 2009 to 2016 and first-generation DS3s manufactured from 2016 to 2019. As a result, around 82,000 C3 and DS3 models have been removed from the road across France. The vehicles use Takata airbag systems, which could be faulty. However, Stellantis UK said that there were no reported incidents of faults in the UK, but it has decided to take action regardless. The car manufacturer in a recent statement said: 'Stellantis UK is mobilising its full network of suppliers, retailers and manufacturing plant to support this action to ensure the fastest, safest and most convenient solution for each customer. Got a 'do not drive order' from Citroen or DS car, we've added a few extra items and clarifications to our 'what are your rights' news story... 'Stellantis remains fully committed to acting swiftly, transparently, and responsibly in addressing this issue.' Owners have been told to book their vehicles in to be rectified as early as possible and to not drive them in the meantime. However, a study by Which? revealed that hundreds of these cars were listed for sale on major used vehicle websites with no information that the manufacturer had issued a stop-drive notice. If you already own an affected Citroen, you should be contacted by letter, or you can check whether your car is affected by using the VIN check tool on Citroen's website. Recommended Reading: Citroen C3 drivers told 'stop driving' due to airbag fault How you could get a roadside fine amid new DVSA changes DVLA issues warning to anyone who passed their driving test before 2015 You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this: A spokesperson from Stellantis said that they were 'working to maximise' the number of vehicles it can repair each day, with priority given to those with urgent needs.
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Second-hand Citroen C3 sales halted over airbag recall
The warning was extended after the French manufacturer's parent company Stellantis issued a 'stop-drive' notice to certain Citroen models in June. It comes after a woman sustained fatal injuries caused by an airbag in a 2014 Citroen C3 in Reims, France, last year. Stellantis UK announces an immediate stop-drive action for all Citroën C3 (second generation) manufactured between 2009 and 2019 equipped with Takata airbags. Owners of such vehicles should immediately stop driving their vehicle. Now, second-hand Citroens are also being included in the warning amid thousands still being listed for sale across the UK, according to This is Money. 'Buyers could have been driving away in potentially dangerous motors while also invalidating their insurance,' an article states. Since then, a team of motor trade lawyers have now issued a nationwide warning to used car dealers to suspend sales of vehicles in stock The vehicles affected are second-generation Citroen C3s produced from 2009 to 2016 and first-generation DS3s manufactured from 2016 to 2019. As a result, around 82,000 C3 and DS3 models have been removed from the road across France. The vehicles use Takata airbag systems, which could be faulty. However, Stellantis UK said that there were no reported incidents of faults in the UK, but it has decided to take action regardless. The car manufacturer in a recent statement said: 'Stellantis UK is mobilising its full network of suppliers, retailers and manufacturing plant to support this action to ensure the fastest, safest and most convenient solution for each customer. Got a 'do not drive order' from Citroen or DS car, we've added a few extra items and clarifications to our 'what are your rights' news story... 'Stellantis remains fully committed to acting swiftly, transparently, and responsibly in addressing this issue.' Owners have been told to book their vehicles in to be rectified as early as possible and to not drive them in the meantime. However, a study by Which? revealed that hundreds of these cars were listed for sale on major used vehicle websites with no information that the manufacturer had issued a stop-drive notice. If you already own an affected Citroen, you should be contacted by letter, or you can check whether your car is affected by using the VIN check tool on Citroen's website. Recommended Reading: Citroen C3 drivers told 'stop driving' due to airbag fault How you could get a roadside fine amid new DVSA changes DVLA issues warning to anyone who passed their driving test before 2015 You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this: A spokesperson from Stellantis said that they were 'working to maximise' the number of vehicles it can repair each day, with priority given to those with urgent needs.
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Second-hand Citroen C3 sales halted over airbag recall
The warning was extended after the French manufacturer's parent company Stellantis issued a 'stop-drive' notice to certain Citroen models in June. It comes after a woman sustained fatal injuries caused by an airbag in a 2014 Citroen C3 in Reims, France, last year. Stellantis UK announces an immediate stop-drive action for all Citroën C3 (second generation) manufactured between 2009 and 2019 equipped with Takata airbags. Owners of such vehicles should immediately stop driving their vehicle. Now, second-hand Citroens are also being included in the warning amid thousands still being listed for sale across the UK, according to This is Money. 'Buyers could have been driving away in potentially dangerous motors while also invalidating their insurance,' an article states. Since then, a team of motor trade lawyers have now issued a nationwide warning to used car dealers to suspend sales of vehicles in stock The vehicles affected are second-generation Citroen C3s produced from 2009 to 2016 and first-generation DS3s manufactured from 2016 to 2019. As a result, around 82,000 C3 and DS3 models have been removed from the road across France. The vehicles use Takata airbag systems, which could be faulty. However, Stellantis UK said that there were no reported incidents of faults in the UK, but it has decided to take action regardless. The car manufacturer in a recent statement said: 'Stellantis UK is mobilising its full network of suppliers, retailers and manufacturing plant to support this action to ensure the fastest, safest and most convenient solution for each customer. Got a 'do not drive order' from Citroen or DS car, we've added a few extra items and clarifications to our 'what are your rights' news story... 'Stellantis remains fully committed to acting swiftly, transparently, and responsibly in addressing this issue.' Owners have been told to book their vehicles in to be rectified as early as possible and to not drive them in the meantime. However, a study by Which? revealed that hundreds of these cars were listed for sale on major used vehicle websites with no information that the manufacturer had issued a stop-drive notice. If you already own an affected Citroen, you should be contacted by letter, or you can check whether your car is affected by using the VIN check tool on Citroen's website. Recommended Reading: Citroen C3 drivers told 'stop driving' due to airbag fault How you could get a roadside fine amid new DVSA changes DVLA issues warning to anyone who passed their driving test before 2015 You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this: A spokesperson from Stellantis said that they were 'working to maximise' the number of vehicles it can repair each day, with priority given to those with urgent needs.
