New Leapmotor models coming to Australia in 2027 and beyond
Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor is closely examining a seven-seat electric SUV, a sporty version of its new B05 hatch and even a dual-cab ute as it looks to gain a foothold in the increasingly competitive Australian market.
Speaking with Open Road this week at the launch of the new electric B05 hatch – the review for which will be published Thursday next week – Leapmotor Australia boss Andy Hoang revealed the strategy he is taking for the burgeoning brand in Australia.
It comes amid fears that not all Chinese brands will survive long-term in the Australian market.
At its Australian launch in 2024, Leapmotor committed to releasing six vehicles in Australia in the ensuing three years. The Leapmotor road map until now has included the C10 and B10 SUVs, along with the new B05 hatch and soon the B03X compact SUV.
It seems further down the pipeline those models will be joined by a larger, seven-seat SUV, a sportier hatch and possibly a ute.
“There’s lots of segments that we don’t have vehicles in today, but on our list of priorities we believe something like a bigger SUV with dedicated seven seats – there’s definitely something there,” Hoang said.
“We also know the B05 Ultra, that sort of sports hatch segment. We think that’s definitely another opportunity because there’ll be a halo sort of effect on the rest of the brand having that.
“We know there’s a ute segment out there that we’ve been talking to China about.”
Backed by automotive giant Stellantis, Leapmotor sales have been relatively modest in Australia compared with the booming fortunes of BYD, GWM, Chery and MG – selling barely 1000 units in Australia so far this year.
However, Hoang said plans remained on track and that the brand had adopted a sustainable, long-term approach to sales.
“It’s not just about selling cars. It’s actually about that whole life cycle journey,” he said.
“We are growing, but would we like to grow faster and more? Of course. But it has to be sustainable. Our investment here in Australia is for the long term. So it’s not just about sales now. It’s about trying to build that business.
“Everyone has to run their own race. I think there is a danger, though, if you don’t have the foundations in place.”
While Leapmotor currently doesn’t have a ute in its global portfolio, Hoang said the brand would do its research and make an informed decision on whether to enter the segment – as it is with its other models already available overseas.
“We have a people mover already available in China, but that’s not high on the list of priorities, so something like a ute would be higher on the list than a people mover,” he explained.
Hoang declined to say whether Leapmotor would consider a luxury sub-brand for the Australian market, as Geely has done Zeekr and BYD with Denza.
“No comment on that at this point in time,” he said.
Globally, Leapmotor is on track to surpass one million sales in 2026 – a huge uptick since it entered the global market in 2019, with just over 1000 annual sales.
That success has been underpinned by huge sales in China – Leapmotor’s biggest share of volume – as well as a successful launch in Europe.
Rather than focusing on sheer volume, Hoang said his plan in Australia was to create a strong dealer network and aspire for gradual, sustainable growth. He said the brand wouldn’t resort to aggressive price cutting as it “kills the residual of all the customers that have already been loyal to you”.
Leapmotor is on track to reach 25 dealership outlets nationally in the coming months, and is now striving for close to 40 locations.
“We believe that that’s probably a good balance between expanding quickly and at the same time making sure that wherever you open your sales and service, that customer experience is ensured,” Hoang explained.
“We know that if we get the right product line up here, the sales and customers will come.
“This is my personal belief. I don’t think all Chinese brands will survive … the volume is just not there,” he added.
