Stellantis Malaysia has officially commenced local assembly operations for Leapmotor electric vehicles at its manufacturing facility in Gurun, Kedah, marking a significant step forward for Malaysia’s electric vehicle (EV) industry and reinforcing the country’s position within the regional automotive landscape.

The new assembly line has begun production of the award-winning Leapmotor C10, with the Leapmotor B10 set to join the production schedule by the end of 2026. The move reflects Stellantis’ long-term strategy to establish Malaysia as a key manufacturing and industrial hub for electric mobility while expanding access to advanced EV technology for local consumers.

To support the localisation of Leapmotor production, Stellantis has invested EUR 2.23 million in assembly development initiatives tailored to the sophisticated manufacturing requirements of the brand’s electric vehicles. In addition, the company has secured a further EUR 3.1 million in capital expenditure for production line enhancements and infrastructure upgrades at the Gurun plant.

According to Isaac Yeo, Managing Director of Stellantis ASEAN, the start of local assembly operations represents a major milestone for both Stellantis and Malaysia’s growing EV sector. He noted that Malaysia plays a crucial role in Stellantis’ Asia-Pacific growth strategy and is well positioned to spearhead the company’s regional electrification efforts. Through its partnership with Leapmotor, Stellantis aims to accelerate EV adoption across the region while simultaneously enhancing local manufacturing capabilities and delivering innovative mobility solutions to customers.

Although current production is primarily intended to serve the Malaysian market, Stellantis is also exploring the potential for future exports from the Gurun facility to other ASEAN countries. Such plans could further strengthen Malaysia’s standing as an important production base within the regional EV supply chain.

A key component of the project has been workforce development. Employees and technical personnel at the Gurun plant have undergone specialised training to manage Leapmotor’s advanced vehicle architectures and software systems. As a result, the facility’s workforce is now certified to safely handle high-voltage electric vehicle systems of up to 800 volts, equipping local talent with valuable expertise for the rapidly evolving automotive industry.

To ensure product quality and manufacturing consistency, Leapmotor and Stellantis have adopted a unified global framework covering assembly procedures and quality assurance standards. Following extensive validation processes, the Gurun operations received approval from Stellantis’ multidisciplinary supervisory teams as well as relevant Malaysian and international regulatory authorities.

The launch of Leapmotor’s local assembly programme underscores Stellantis’ confidence in Malaysia’s manufacturing capabilities and highlights the country’s growing importance in the transition toward sustainable mobility. As production expands and future export opportunities are assessed, the Gurun facility is poised to become a significant contributor to the development of the ASEAN electric vehicle ecosystem.