Previous French Leapmotor importer takes Stellantis to court
As the French portal Automobil Propre reports, a lawsuit is pending against Stellantis filed by Didier Sirgue, head of SN Diffusion and EVE (Espace Véhicules Électrique), who previously distributed the small T03 electric car in France. Before the big deal with Stellantis, Leapmotor tried to launch in Europe using importers in some countries. However, since the comprehensive cooperation with Stellantis has been finalised, these importers are evidently out of the picture.
Didier Sirgue says his contract as an importer for Leapmotor wasn’t due to run until 15 January 2025 but was terminated on 1 May 2024 without prior notice. According to his account, the problems began in October 2023, when Stellantis acquired 21 per cent of Leapmotor and announced its intention to sell Chinese models via its network. The French importer now wants to take the case to court.
Leapmotor and Stellantis founded a joint venture called Leapmotor International in a rush to coordinate the marketing of electric vehicles from Asia. The first deliveries are scheduled for this year. In addition to France, the first markets for Leapmotor vehicles in Europe are Germany, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. From the fourth quarter of this year, Leapmotor International also plans to launch sales in the Middle East and Africa (Israel and French overseas territories), the Asia-Pacific region (Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and Nepal) and South America (Brazil and Chile).
According to Stellantis, the first Leapmotor EVs have arrived by ship from China in Germany. In the long term, however, vehicles meant for the European market will no longer be built in China but in Europe. It has already been decided that the T03 will be built at the Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland. Where in Europe the C10 will be built has yet to be decided.
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