Leapmotor opens a research and development centre in Munich

The Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor has inaugurated its first innovation centre outside China. The company, backed by the Stellantis group, has moved into an office building located in Parkstadt Schwabing, in the German city of Munich. This new space will focus mainly on research and development, as well as design.

With the opening of the Leapmotor Europe Innovation Centre, the company takes a further step forward in its international expansion. Until now, its innovation centres were located in China itself, specifically in the cities of Hangzhou and Shanghai. It should be clarified, however, that this new innovation centre in Munich probably belongs to the joint venture created with Stellantis, Leapmotor International.

The main objective of these new European facilities is to adapt Leapmotor vehicles to the tastes and specific needs of customers in the Old Continent. During the inauguration ceremony, the A10 model was presented, which will reach the European market later this year under the name B03X. This vehicle is inspired by the brand’s Tech-Natural Aesthetics 2.0 design philosophy and is planned for launch in almost 40 countries.

A winning business

Since it signed its alliance with Stellantis, exports have become far more important for Leapmotor. Of the 596,555 vehicles sold in 2025, 67,052 units were exported — an increase of almost 400 per cent compared with the previous year — which allowed the company to record its first annual net profit, of around 540 million yuan, or just over 67.5 million euros at the current exchange rate.

Finally, it should be noted that the innovation centre in Munich will be relatively modest compared with those existing in China. It is located at number 4 Georg-Muche-Straße, within an office building shared by several tenants. It is estimated that up to 100 employees will work there in a first phase.