- Leapmotor’s B10 compact SUV debuted in Paris, targeting the competitive European EV market.
- It will go on sale in Europe late next year, offering both all-electric and range-extended versions.
- Expected to come in under €30,000, the B10 takes aim at more established players in the segment.
It feels like every other week there’s a new Chinese automaker rolling into Europe, undeterred by the looming threat of EU tariffs. This time, it’s Leapmotor, with some serious backing from one of Europe’s automotive heavyweights, Stellantis. Debuting at the Paris Motor Show, Leapmotor’s B10 compact SUV is looking to compete against the likes of the Kia EV3, Jeep Avenger, and Hyundai Kona, offering the usual pitch of high-tech features at relatively affordable prices.
This latest world premiere throws a spotlight on Leapmotor’s aggressive expansion in Europe, with over 200 dealers already set up across 13 markets, with ambitions to reach 500 sales points by 2025.
More: All The World Premieres At The 2024 Paris Auto Show
The B10 rides on Leapmotor’s latest LEAP 3.5 platform, packed with the usual tech buzzwords: advanced driver assistance systems, a customizable digital cockpit, and smart connectivity. There’s an all-electric version as well as a range-extended model with a 1.5-liter engine to keep the EV vibes alive without the fear of running out of juice.
However, we’re still waiting on the actual specs, including range, power, or anything that might make the B10 stand out in an already crowded field of electrified sub-compact and compact SUVs.
Familiar Design Cues
On the design front, it’s all about sleek, simplified lines and details like the flush door handles and thin light bars at both ends, all borrowing heavily from its bigger sibling, the C10. It looks good, but it’s hard to shake the feeling we’ve seen this before—there’s even a hint of Cayenne in the profile and rear. Leapmotor kept the interior hidden behind blacked-out windows, but it’s likely to mirror the C10’s minimalist cabin, with large screens dominating an otherwise simple dashboard.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing is still under wraps, but when the B10 arrives in Europe late next year, it’s expected to come in just under €30,000, positioning it right in the thick of an already crowded segment dominated by well-established rivals. With competition this fierce, Leapmotor will need more than buzzwords to truly stand out.
Stellantis Powers Leapmotor’s European Push
Leapmotor’s European push is only happening thanks to Stellantis’ distribution and service network, which means the Chinese brand is leaning heavily on its partner’s resources to make this happen. Tianshu Xin, CEO of Leapmotor International, admitted as much, calling Stellantis’ infrastructure their “unmatched advantage.” In other words, this might be less about Leapmotor breaking into new markets and more about Stellantis adding another brand to its crowded lineup.
With plans to release one new model every year for the next three years, Leapmotor clearly has ambitions. But whether the B10 will stand out or simply fade into the mix remains to be seen. There’s no U.S. release in the cards, so for now, Europe is Leapmotor’s proving ground. Let’s see if Stellantis’ backing can turn this partnership into more than just another checkbox on the EV trend sheet.
