The Leapmotor T03 will arrive in Europe with a surprise... it will be manufactured in Poland!

A few months ago we learned that Stellantis had reached an agreement with the Chinese company Leapmotor to sell the brand’s models in the European market. This collaboration would allow the brand’s two models to reach Europe and offer an alternative to other models from European brands. And above all, at a lower price.

But the European Union had an ace up its sleeve, and tariffs have been established on cars arriving from countries outside Europe, especially from the Asian country. This could prevent the partnership between Stellantis and Leapmotor from coming together as they hoped, but the European group has come up with a rather interesting solution that will make it easier for the Chinese brand to land.

The proposed solution has been to move production of the entry-level model in the Leapmotor range, the T03, to a European plant. The chosen one, for now, is the factory that the Stellantis group has in Poland. This will allow the small electric model to face its natural rival, the Dacia Spring, on better terms.

It must be remembered that the tariffs on imports of Chinese vehicles will, for the time being, only be applied in France. This measure aims to protect the country’s brands from competition from Chinese electric cars. These are cheaper and can position themselves better against other models.

Another of the options the group is considering is to import the vehicles, but have them pass through the Polish factory so that several modifications can be made to justify the change of brand and allow them to avoid the tariffs.

And pay attention, because this move, whatever its final form, could happen in May, so before the first half of 2024 ends we could already have the sale of this model under way.