Stellantis has officially started local assembly operations for Leapmotor electric vehicles in Malaysia, marking a significant step forward for the country’s growing EV industry.

Production is now underway at the company’s manufacturing facility in Gurun, Kedah, with the Leapmotor C10 leading the rollout and the Leapmotor B10 set to join the assembly line by the end of 2026.

The move underscores Stellantis’ long-term commitment to positioning Malaysia as a key electric vehicle manufacturing hub within Southeast Asia while expanding access to advanced EV technology for local consumers.

To support Leapmotor’s production requirements, Stellantis invested EUR 2.23 million in localized assembly development at the Gurun facility. The company has also secured an additional EUR 3.1 million in capital expenditure for production line enhancements and infrastructure upgrades, reinforcing its plans for future growth.

According to Isaac Yeo, Managing Director of Stellantis ASEAN, the start of local Leapmotor production represents a major milestone for both Stellantis and Malaysia’s automotive sector. He noted that the initiative strengthens Malaysia’s role within Stellantis’ Asia-Pacific growth strategy while accelerating the company’s regional electrification goals.

The Gurun facility is currently focused on supplying vehicles for the Malaysian market, although Stellantis continues to assess future export opportunities across the wider ASEAN region. Such expansion could further elevate Malaysia’s importance in the regional EV supply chain.

Preparing the workforce for advanced EV manufacturing has been a key component of the project. Technical personnel and assembly operators at the Gurun plant have completed specialized training programs focused on Leapmotor’s software systems and vehicle architectures. Employees are now certified to safely handle high-voltage electric vehicle systems operating at up to 800 volts, helping build local expertise for the next generation of automotive production.

Stellantis and Leapmotor have also implemented a unified global quality and compliance framework to ensure vehicles assembled in Malaysia meet the same standards as those produced elsewhere. Following extensive validation processes, the local assembly operations received approval from Stellantis supervisory teams as well as Malaysian and international regulatory authorities.

The launch of Leapmotor production in Gurun reflects the increasing momentum behind Malaysia’s EV ambitions. With ongoing investment, workforce development, and plans to expand the model lineup, Stellantis is laying the groundwork for a stronger regional manufacturing presence while supporting the transition to electric mobility across Southeast Asia.

Blagojce Krivevski