Malaysia’s Gearing Up for an Electric Ride: Stellantis & Leapmotor Kick Off Local EV Production
Big news for EV lovers in Malaysia: Stellantis and Leapmotor are teaming up to build electric vehicles right here in Malaysia! That’s right—EVs are going local, and it’s all kicking off at Stellantis’ Gurun plant in Kedah.
They’ve just dropped €5 million (about RM24 million) into this game-changing project, and it’s more than just assembling cars—it’s about putting Malaysia on the EV map and making electric mobility more accessible across Southeast Asia.
For Stellantis, this is a big step forward in their Dare Forward 2030 plan, and Leapmotor (the rising EV star from China) is bringing the tech magic. Together, they’re out to make EVs more affordable, stylish, and built for real people.
“This milestone marks more than the start of local assembly—it marks the next chapter in Stellantis’ electrification journey across ASEAN. By combining Leapmotor’s EV innovation and success with Stellantis’ regional expertise and global scale, we are laying the foundation for an accessible, sustainable future of mobility right here in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia.” Ashwani Muppasani, COO of Stellantis India & Asia Pacific
So, why Kedah? The Gurun plant already has the tools and talent—and it’s super strategic for distributing cars across the region. It’s all part of the Stellantis plan to build in ASEAN for ASEAN.
“The Gurun plant has become a cornerstone of Stellantis’ manufacturing presence in the region. We have proactively enhanced its capabilities to support EV assembly, and we are proud that Leapmotor will be the first locally assembled electric vehicle to emerge from this plant. This marks a meaningful step forward not just for Stellantis, but for Malaysia’s role in the regional EV landscape.” – Isaac Yeo, Managing Director of Stellantis ASEAN
The first model to roll out? The Leapmotor C10—and production starts at the end of this year. This whole move lines up with Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy 2030 and plays into the country’s goals as ASEAN Chair for 2025. It’s not just about cars either—it’s about growing industries, boosting local skills, and strengthening ties with China.
“The localized assembly project in Malaysia will accelerate Leapmotor’s global strategic expansion. We look forward to working with Stellantis Group to bring new technology and vitality to the transformation of Malaysia’s automotive industry, and to set a benchmark and model for opening up the entire Southeast Asian market for Leapmotor.” -Zhu Jiangming, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Leapmotor
Leapmotor has already made a splash in Malaysia (since October 2024) and Thailand, and now they’re going bigger with local production. It’s great news if you’ve been eyeing an EV but waiting for one that fits your budget and lifestyle.
So yeah—EVs built in Malaysia, powered by innovation from China, and backed by a global brand. The future’s electric, and it’s getting a whole lot closer to home.
Stay tuned—because this is just the beginning.
