Stellantis-backed electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor has opened its first overseas research and development center in Munich, Germany. The new facility, located in Schwabing-Freimann, will oversee design iterations and conceptual development for the company’s future models. Leapmotor said the Munich hub represents a strategic shift from merely exporting vehicles to exporting its design capabilities.
The Munich center joins existing design hubs in Hangzhou and Shanghai, forming a globalized network intended to integrate advanced international design concepts into Leapmotor’s signature language. The company is leveraging this network to enhance its competitiveness as it scales operations outside China.
Leapmotor has accelerated its global expansion in recent years. In 2025, the company exported 67,052 vehicles, the highest volume among Chinese emerging EV brands according to its own data. As of the end of February 2026, total exports have surpassed 100,000 units, placing Leapmotor among the top three Chinese pure-electric brands in the European market.
To strengthen its European presence, Leapmotor has launched a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) project in Spain. The initiative includes local assembly of its B10 and B05 models. The B10 has entered the off-tooling sample phase, with a first trial vehicle already completed and commercial production slated for October 2026. Trial production of the B05 is expected to begin in June 2026, leading to full local production in 2027.
Leapmotor reported its first full-year profit in 2025, with net income of 540 million yuan (approximately $78.4 million). Annual revenue rose 101.3% year-over-year to 64.73 billion yuan, driven by delivery of 596,555 new vehicles, a 103.1% increase from 2024. The company has set an ambitious target to deliver more than 1 million vehicles in 2026.
In China, Leapmotor will launch its all-new A10 model (branded B03X overseas) on March 26. This global strategic vehicle is planned for sale in nearly 40 countries and regions. The company also released a four-model launch schedule expected to account for 60% of its projected 2026 sales.
Source: CNEV Post
