Leapmotor delays B10 production in Spain to Q3 2026

Leapmotor will apparently not start European production of the B10 until the third quarter of 2026. Earlier this year, there was still talk of a possible production debut in the first quarter. According to a Chinese media report, preparations for production are currently underway at the Stellantis plant in Zaragoza, Spain.

The Chinese portal International Financial News reports that conversion work is currently in progress at the Zaragoza site to prepare the Stellantis plant for production of the Leapmotor B10. Leapmotor has not yet officially confirmed this location, although rumours have been circulating since spring.

Citing its own research, the outlet adds that Leapmotor plans to focus on the B series in Spain and begin production in Q3 2026. The B10 is expected to be followed by the B05. The European debut of the B10 is scheduled for the IAA Mobility in Munich these days – and the B05 is also set to be on display in Munich, according to the report.

One thing is clear: setting up local production in Europe has proven bumpy for Leapmotor so far. Following its partnership with Stellantis in autumn 2023, Stellantis began producing Leapmotor’s small electric car, the T03, at its Tychy plant in Poland in September 2024. However, production was pulled from the site only a few months later, in spring 2025. No official reasons were given. Insiders, however, point to an informal directive from the Chinese government, which in recent months urged domestic carmakers to halt major investments in European countries that supported the EU’s additional tariffs on China-made EVs. Poland counted among the supporters last year.

This is likely also the reason why production of the second Leapmotor model for Europe – the B10 – is now heading to Spain. Since spring, evidence has mounted that the electric SUV, positioned above the T03, will be built in Zaragoza. Originally, Leapmotor and Stellantis had also planned to produce the B10 at Tychy, but the joint venture is believed to have abandoned this location decision due to pressure from Beijing.

Although Leapmotor International is majority-owned by Stellantis (51 per cent versus 49 per cent), the Chinese partner clearly retains influence over such fundamental decisions. Other potential sites for B10 production had reportedly included Eisenach (Germany) and Trnava (Slovakia). Zaragoza, however, benefits from its proximity to CATL’s planned 50-GWh battery factory and from the underutilisation of Stellantis’ existing plant.

cnevpost.com, ifnews.com

This article was first published by Cora Werwitzke for electrive’s German edition.