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Stellantis’ Chinese Brand Has A Giant Flagship SUV Coming For The Price Of A RAV4

  • Leapmotor D19 is a new flagship SUV debuting globally on October 16.
  • It will offer both fully electric and range-extender hybrid powertrains.
  • The large SUV targets premium rivals with high-tech features and style.

Leapmotor, the Chinese EV manufacturer partly owned by Stellantis, continues to expand its lineup into new segments. Fresh off the debut of the B05/Lafa 5 hatchback last month, the company is now teasing its new flagship SUV, the D19. Scheduled for an official debut on October 16, the D19 is promising to deliver premium features and cutting-edge tech at an accessible price point.

More: Stellantis Just Sent Europe A Warning With This Chinese-Built Electric Hatch

The official teasers highlight the shape of the full-size SUV and its lighting signature, with slim DRLs up front and a full-width LED bar at the rear. That said, photos of the model have already surfaced on Chinese social media.

Big SUV Energy

In terms of proportions, the D19 lines up with other full-size electrified SUVs from China such as the Li Auto L9, Dongfeng Yipai 008, Chery Fulwin T11, GAC Trumpchi S9, Zeekr 9X, Nio Onvo L90, and Geely Galaxy M9.

One of the most distinctive design elements is the thick chrome trim that wraps around the side windows and obscures the D-pillar, giving it a Rolls-Royce Cullinan meets Mercedes-Maybach GLS vibe.

It also features split headlights, clean body surfacing, and chrome-finished disc wheels that further echo styling cues from Rolls-Royce and Maybach. At around 5.2 meters (204.7 inches) in length, the D19 is roughly the same size as a BMW X7 or a Mercedes GLS.

We haven’t seen the interior yet, but it’s expected to feature an advanced digital cockpit with a dedicated passenger display, along with high-quality materials throughout the cabin. The D19 will reportedly run on dual Qualcomm Snapdragon 8797 chipsets, one handling infotainment, the other powering the ADAS suite. Leaked images also show a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor.

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While full technical specifications haven’t been released, the D19 will be offered with both fully electric and range-extender hybrid powertrains. The battery-electric version is expected to offer a CLTC range of over 630 km (392 miles), while the extended-range version should cover more than 1,300 km (808 miles) between charging and refueling stops.

How Much Will It Cost?

Perhaps most noteworthy is the pricing. Leapmotor has suggested a starting price between ¥250,000 and ¥300,000, which converts to around $35,000 to $42,000. And yes, that figure sounds like a bargain for anyone trying to buy a car in the West these days.

In fact, that’s roughly what you’d pay for a hybrid Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V in the States, or, worse still, a mid-level Toyota Yaris Cross if you happen to live in Germany. And that’s not even getting into the more painful pricing realities in other parts of Europe.

Even so, you might be surprised to learn that the D19 won’t be the cheapest in its class. The Geely Galaxy M9 undercuts it with a current starting price of ¥173,800 ($24,400), thanks to discounts.

When it launches later this year, the D19 will sit above the T03, B01, B10, C01, C10, C11, and C16, making it the new range-topper in Leapmotor’s domestic lineup. Spy shots have also hinted at a flagship minivan currently in development, which may share the same platform as the D19.

More: China’s Trumpchi S9 Is Here To Make Luxury SUVs Great Again For The People

On September 25, Leapmotor announced that its one millionth vehicle had rolled off the production line. The automaker reaffirmed its commitment to “fully in-house R&D” and its goal of becoming a “respected, world-class smart electric vehicle company.”

 Stellantis’ Chinese Brand Has A Giant Flagship SUV Coming For The Price Of A RAV4

Leapmotor

You Can Buy A New Dacia EV For Just $4,600 In Italy, But It’s Not For Everyone

  • New Italian incentive cuts EV prices by up to €11,000 for eligible buyers.
  • The scrappage bonus is limited to low-income families living in urban areas.
  • Dacia Spring now costs €3,900, while Leapmotor T03 can be had for €4,900.

At a time when prices of new cars keep climbing out of reach for many households, Italy has launched a surprisingly generous scrappage scheme that makes some EVs almost absurdly affordable. Under the program, low-income buyers who trade in a car registered before 2015 could drive home in a brand-new Dacia Spring for as little as €3,900 (about $4,600 at current exchange rates).

The €597 million ($700 million) initiative is designed to increase electric car sales to at least 39,000 units by June 2026. Right now, fully electric vehicles represent only 5.2% of Italy’s market, far behind the European Union average of 15.8%.

More: The Cheapest Peugeot 308 Has Something You’ll Miss In Pricier Trims

To qualify for the full €11,000 ($12,900) discount, prospective EV buyers must scrap a Euro 5 (or earlier) vehicle, live in an urban area with more than 50,000 residents, and have a family income below €30,000 ($35,200). Households earning up to €40,000 ($46,900) can still access a reduced €9,000 ($10,600) bonus. Small companies also benefit, with subsidies covering 30% of an EV’s cost capped at €20,000 ($23,500) per new vehicle.

Pocket-Sized Prices

Dacia has trimmed the Italian starting price of the Spring EV from €17,900 ($21,000) to €14,900 ($17,500). With the full scrappage bonus applied, the figure falls to the headline-grabbing €3,900 ($4,600). That entry point is for the Essential Electric 45 trim, equipped with a 44 hp (33 kW / 45 PS) motor and a 26.8 kWh battery, good for a range of 225 km (140 miles).

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Stellantis has also dropped the cost of the Leapmotor T03 from €18,900 ($22,200) to €15,900 ($18,700), meaning it can be purchased for €4,900 ($5,800) under the same scheme. As reported by Autonews, the Chinese brand claims that the heavily discounted price is “less than what you paid for your bicycle.”

More: Kia’s K4 Just Struck A Killer Blow To The VW Golf

Electric vehicles from other automakers are also eligible under the same scheme. Fiat offers the 500e from €9,950 ($11,700) and the electric version of the Grande Panda from €11,950 ($14,000). The closely-related Citroen e-C3 starts at €12,900 ($15,100), while the spacious e-C3 Aircross SUV is now offered from a discounted €15,790 ($18,500).

These prices are undeniably attractive, but the strict eligibility requirements mean the incentives only reach a narrow slice of the population. For now, the question is whether the subsidy will genuinely reshape Italy’s car market or simply deliver a short-term boost among those who qualify.

 You Can Buy A New Dacia EV For Just $4,600 In Italy, But It’s Not For Everyone

Citroen

China’s Car Brands Are Quietly Eating Europe’s Lunch

  • Last month, Chinese brands took 5.5 percent of the Euro market.
  • Their 43,500 unit sales total was up 121 percent from August ’24.
  • During August, Audi sold 41,300 units and Renault 37,800 in Europe.

Overall car sales in Europe grew by 5 percent to 790,000 last month, buoyed by continuing enthusiasm for electric cars across the continent. Plug-in hybrids saw particularly strong momentum, with registrations climbing to 83,900 in August, a 59 percent increase on the previous year that lifted their market share to 10.6 percent.

Related: Global Electric Car Sales Jumped 25 Percent While Canada Dropped By A Third

According to Jato Dynamics figures, battery-electric cars (BEVs) also posted gains, up 27 percent compared with August 2024, giving them a record 20.2 percent market share, up 3.6 percentage points year on year. That brings Europe’s total for fully electric registrations in 2025 to 1.54 million so far. Analysts caution, however, that the headline growth figures for BEVs may not tell the full story

Numbers With Caveats

“The data shows that there was strong demand for BEVs in August, however a 27 percent increase is less significant than it looks when you consider how widely they are being promoted across Europe,” said Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at JATO Dynamics. “The new record market share for BEVs achieved last month has been partly distorted by the fact that Italy – typically a less enthusiastic adopter of BEVs – is usually quiet during August,” Munoz added.

Europe Car Sales
Aug ’24Aug ’25Diff.
Total752,847790,177+5.0%
BEV125,494159,746+27%
PHEV52,82083,872+59%
SUV408,561451,737+11%
Chinese brands19,70743,529+121%
Chinese-owned Western brands23,60119,613-17%
SWIPE

Jato Dynamics

China’s Growing Momentum

Yet Europe’s traditional manufacturers may find little comfort in these results. The bad news for Europe’s carmakers is that interest in Chinese brands is growing at an even faster rate, and it’s coming at the expense of some very big household names.

Audi shifted 41,300 units in August, and Renault moved 37,800. Both are major players in the market but were outmaneuvered by Chinese brands who registered 43,500 sales, up a massive 121 percent versus August 2024, Jato reports.

Granted, that ‘Chinese brands’ figure is made up of 40 different automakers, but Jato points out that 84 percent of the total was achieved by only five of them, namely MG, BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda and Leapmotor. Whichever way you cut it it’s bad news for Europe’s legacy brands, and is only going to get worse, though at least Stellantis’s deal with Leapmotor means it gets to celebrate the win.

Even on their own, the Chinese brands took some big scalps. MG registered more cars than Tesla and Fiat, BYD beat Suzuki and Jeep, and Jaecoo and Omoda outsold Alfa Romeo and Mitsubishi.

“European consumers are responding positively to the growing, competitive line-up from China’s car brands,” Jato analyst Felipe Munoz said. “It appears that these brands have successfully tackled the perception and awareness issues they have experienced.”

Hybrids, not just EVs

It’s not only in the EV segment that Chinese brands are making gains. They’re also doing great in the PHEV space, where they’re not hobbled by the same tariffs applied to their fully electric vehicles.

 China’s Car Brands Are Quietly Eating Europe’s Lunch
Jato

More than 11,000 Chinese-brand plug-ins were sold this August compared with only 779 in the same month last year, BYD is now the eighth most popular PHEV brand overall and the BYD Seal U, Jaecoo J7 and MG HS bagged three spots in the top 10 best-selling models list.

However, if you simply looked at the table of 10 most-registered models, you’d never guess how quickly China was moving forward. The list contains no names from the People’s Republic and continues to be dominated by Volkswagen and Renault.

The VW T-Roc (which has since been facelifted) was the region’s biggest seller, with the Dacia Sandero scooping second spot and Toyota’s Yaris Cross bagging third. Tesla’s updated Model Y was the best-selling EV, but its sales were down 37 percent and it was nowhere to be seen in the overall top 10 cars table.

 China’s Car Brands Are Quietly Eating Europe’s Lunch
Jato

Stellantis Gives China’s Leapmotor A Way To Dodge Europe’s Painful EV Tariffs

  • Stellantis will let Leapmotor build vehicles in one of its Spanish factories.
  • Local production helps Leapmotor avoid up to 30.7 percent EU import tariffs.
  • The B10 electric SUV is the most likely model to enter production first.

A year after making a major investment in Leapmotor, Stellantis is moving from shareholder to industrial partner. In 2023, the group spent €1.5 billion ($1.77 billion) for a 20 percent stake in the Chinese brand and took a 51 percent share in its international division, gaining the rights to sell and distribute its vehicles outside China. That relationship is now stepping up a gear, with Leapmotor set to build cars at one of Stellantis’s factories in Spain.

Read: New Leapmotor B10 Goes After Europe’s EV Market With Stellantis In Its Corner

Stellantis chief executive Antonio Filosa confirmed the development during a recent financial event. While he stopped short of naming the Spanish facility involved, the agreement will allow Leapmotor to sidestep the steep European Union tariffs placed on Chinese-built EVs, which can reach as high as 30.7 percent.

Tariff Workaround

“We have recently announced an industrial partnership to give Leapmotor capacity at one of our Spanish plants to build their cars on their platform,” Filosa said during the event, reports Auto News. “That will start very soon.”

While Stellantis hasn’t said which Leapmotor models will be built in Spain, a recent report indicated that the B10 electric SUV is the most likely candidate. Leapmotor is thought to be investing up to $200 million into one of Stellantis’s Spanish factories to make it happen. Zaragoza has been reported as a potential location for Leapmotor’s local production base, as Stellantis is building a massive battery gigafactory there with CATL, set to open next year.

 Stellantis Gives China’s Leapmotor A Way To Dodge Europe’s Painful EV Tariffs

Leapmotor’s European Plans

Interestingly, Leapmotor has already dipped a toe into European manufacturing. The brand previously assembled the T03 minicar at Stellantis’s plant in Tychy, Poland, though production ended in April. There had also been plans to build the B10 in Poland, but those have since been abandoned.

Leapmotor lifted the veil on the European-spec B10 late last year and recently opened the order books for it. Positioned as a rival to the likes of the Kia EV3, BYD Atto 3, and Honda Kona Electric, the B10 starts at €29,900 ($35,400).

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Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

BYD And Stellantis Spar Over Who Owns Germany’s Chinese EV Crown

  • BYD disputes claims that Leapmotor outsold it in Germany, citing official KBA data.
  • Stellantis clarifies CEO referred to Leapmotor’s August performance in the country.
  • BYD sold 8.6K vehicles between January and August, more than double Leapmotor’s tally.

Update: Stellantis has clarified that CEO Antonio Filosa’s remarks were focused on Leapmotor’s sales performance in Germany in August and not the entire year. He was specifically referring to the Leapmotor T03, which ranked as the country’s best-selling Chinese electric vehicle that month, while Leapmotor overall claimed the top spot as Germany’s best-selling Chinese battery-electric brand, again for August.

“Antonio Filosa’s statement about Leapmotor’s sales of battery electric vehicle (BEV) in Germany in the month of August 2025 are accurate and confirmed by the national industry’s database (KBA),” the Stellantis spokesperson told us.

“In August 2025, in Germany, Leapmotor was the best-selling Chinese BEV brand and Leapmotor T03 was the best-selling Chinese BEV” he explained. The spokesperson also added,, “All other assessments from the competition cannot be linked to what was stated yesterday by our CEO”.

Original story continues below.

 BYD And Stellantis Spar Over Who Owns Germany’s Chinese EV Crown

It seems a brewing rivalry has spilled into the press. Chinese automaker BYD has pushed back against comments attributed to Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa, reportedly made on Thursday in reference to Leapmotor, though the original source of his remarks is still unclear. We’ve reached out to both sides for clarification.

A Question of Interpretation

According to BYD, Filosa was quoted as saying that “in Germany Leapmotor sold more than BYD.” While Stellantis does not own Leapmotor outright, it holds a minority stake and controls exports outside China through Leapmotor International, a joint venture in which Stellantis has a 51 percent share.

The Chinese automaker disputes the claim, citing its own sales data that show it still has a clear lead. Along the way, BYD also couldn’t resist pointing out how its numbers stack up against Stellantis’ own brands.

According to BYD, they sold 8,610 vehicles in Germany between January and August 2025, which is a far cry from the 3,536 sales of Leapmotor over the same period. These numbers can be broken down to 5,852 BEVs and 2,757 PHEVs for BYD, versus 3,088 BEVs and 448 PHEVs for Leapmotor.

More: Europe’s EV Buyers Are Dumping Tesla And China Couldn’t Be Happier=

We checked the official registration data from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), which confirm a similar picture. Between January and August 2025, BYD recorded 8,563 new registrations, compared with 3,531 for Leapmotor. In August alone, the gap narrowed, though BYD still came out ahead with 1,114 units versus Leapmotor’s 826.

It is possible the remarks were lost in translation, or that Filosa simply misspoke in Leapmotor’s favor. He may also have been referring to narrower metrics that have not yet surfaced. While overall sales figures for August are available, the detailed breakdown between BEVs and PHEVs has not been published. A clearer picture should emerge once both companies respond to requests for clarification.

BYD Compares Itself to Alfa Romeo and Jeep

While January–August sales alone would have been enough to counter the CEO’s alleged remarks, BYD went further, highlighting its performance against Stellantis-owned Alfa Romeo and Jeep.

 BYD And Stellantis Spar Over Who Owns Germany’s Chinese EV Crown
BYD Sealion 7

The Chinese automaker bragged about outselling Alfa Romeo in Germany so far in 2025, a curious flex given the two brands operate in completely different segments and court completely different buyers. More specifically, the Italian marque reportedly sold 5,226 units, 5,222 according to KBA, including just 140 BEVs (Junior Elettrica) and 34 PHEVs (Tonale PHEV).

In the same vein, BYD said it sold more EVs and PHEVs than Jeep, 350 BEVs and 569 PHEVs, and claims it is closing in on overall volume, only 278 units behind. KBA data indicate that Jeep sold 8,884 units in Germany between January and August 2025, which is 321 more than BYD, a small gap that may reflect different cuts of the data or timing.

A Significantly Wider Range Of Products

A quick look at their local websites proves that BYD has a significantly larger lineup in Germany compared to Leapmotor. BYD currently offers the Dolphin Surf, Dolphin, Atto 2, Atto 3, Sealion 7, Seal, Seal U, and Tang EVs, plus the Seal U DM-i and Seal 6 DM-i PHEVs in the German market.

On the other hand, Leapmotor is currently limited to the T03 urban EV, the B10 electric crossover, and the C10 SUV in electric and range-extender versions. The range will expand soon with the the new B05 electric hatchback that debuted in Munich.

It will be interesting to see whether the marketing war between the two Chinese brands will continue with more statements in the future, and how both of them will evolve in terms of sales in export markets. On the global stage, however, the contest is lopsided: in the first half of 2025 BYD sold 2,145,954 vehicles, nearly ten times Leapmotor’s 221,664.

 BYD And Stellantis Spar Over Who Owns Germany’s Chinese EV Crown
Leapmotor B05

Stellantis Just Sent Europe A Warning With This Chinese-Built Electric Hatch

  • The Leampotor B05 is a compact hatchback with a fully electric powertrain.
  • The low-slung EV will most likely share its underpinnings with the B10 crossover.
  • It will be available in China and Europe, targeting the VW ID.3 and the MG 4.

Update: We’ve added live shots straight from the floor in Munich, so you can see the Leapmotor B05 in all its yellow-gold painted, black-accented glory. The display car still wears Chinese-market badges and the Lafa 5 nameplate, but otherwise it’s the same hatchback headed for Europe.

A new contender has rolled into the compact EV arena, making its first appearance at the Munich motor show this week. The Stellantis-backed Leapmotor pulled the cover off the B05, a fully electric hatchback positioned to compete with models like the VW ID.3 and MG 4.

More: I Drove Stellantis’ Chinese Electric SUV That Rivals Tesla For Just $30K

In China, the car goes by the name Lafa 5, which is what Leapmotor showed in Munich, but when it goes on sale in Europe it will carry the B05 badge. Production is set to begin next year, and buyers will have the option of an “Ultra” trim that adds a sharper, sport-inspired body kit.

The B05 serves as a low-slung alternative to the B10 crossover that is already available to order in Europe. It is designed for young buyers who are interested in an affordable EV with a stylish exterior and a high-tech interior.

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Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

The sleek hatchback body incorporates familiar styling traits from other Leapmotor products. Highlights include the dark-tinted headlights which are connected via a slim grille, the sporty bumper intakes, the frameless doors, and the full-width LED taillights that send subtle Porsche vibes.

The example that is exhibited in Munich is painted in a vibrant yellow shade, combined with glossy black accents and a matching set of 19-inch alloy wheels. Setting aside the name, the European version is identical to the Chinese-spec Lafa 5, although the latter is also fitted with a LiDar sensor on the roof hinting at more sophisticated autonomous driving capabilities.

The company has also shared photos of the Ultra trim that will be formally unveiled later this year ahead of a 2026 market launch. This one is distinguished by a pronounced splitter, a larger rear wing, and a slightly redesigned rear bumper.

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Stellantis

The B05 measures 4,430 mm (174.4 inches) long, 1,880 mm (74 inches) in width, and 1,520 mm (59.8 inches) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,735 mm (107.7 inches). For comparison, the B10 crossover is 85 mm (3.4 inches) longer, 5 mm (0.2 inches) wider, and 135 mm (5.3 inches) taller, with an identical wheelbase.

More: Stellantis’ Chinese Brand Unveils Its First Sedan

While Leapmotor has yet to announce the full specifications, the B05 is expected to share the LEAP3.5 architecture with the B10. This means it could be powered by a single electric motor producing 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque, and offer the option between 56.2 kWh and 67.1 kWh battery packs. The latter provides a WLTP range of up to 434 km (270 miles) in the B10 crossover, so expect a similar figure for the sleeker hatchback.

The automaker proudly states that the chassis setup of the B10 was developed with the help of Stellantis‘ engineering team and sports a 50:50 weight distribution and a multi-link rear suspension. The same could apply to the electric hatchback. The EV siblings could also share a similar interior layout, with a 14.6 inch infotainment display powered by the Snapdragon 8155 chip and running on the Leap OS 4.0 Plus system.

Stellantis didn’t announce pricing for the Leapmotor B05 hatchback, but it will be more affordable than the B10 crossover that currently starts from €29,900 ($35,000) in certain European markets. This would make it more affordable than the VW ID.3, which is currently priced from €33,330 ($39,100) in Germany.

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Leapmotor

Stellantis’ Chinese Brand Is Gunning For VW’s Electric Turf

  • Leapmotor is ready to expand its lineup with a new five-door hatchback.
  • The Lafa 5 is expected to share its underpinnings with the B10 crossover.
  • The fully electric model will be unveiled at the IAA Mobility Show next week.

A new player is about to join Europe’s compact EV hatchback scene, and it comes from a brand gaining momentum. Leapmotor, backed by Stellantis, has offered a first glimpse of its upcoming Lafa 5 before the official unveiling at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich on September 9. Positioned directly against Volkswagen’s ID.3, it marks the company’s first step into the competitive hatchback segment.

More: I Drove Stellantis’ Chinese Electric SUV That Rivals Tesla For Just $30K

The shadowy teasers reveal a five-door silhouette with clean proportions and a sporty edge. Up front, the headlights carry Leapmotor’s recognizable LED design language, tying the car visually to the rest of its lineup.

Design Cues with a Twist

The front end with the short hood is slightly reminiscent of the pre-facelifted Kia EV6, the pronounced rear shoulders send Renault Megane vibes, while the full-width LED taillights at the back have a hint of Porsche (if you squint…). We can also see a roof-mounted LiDar sensor that hints at advanced driver assistance tech.

The hatchback is expected to sit on the same LEAP 3.5 architecture as the B10 crossover. That platform currently supports a rear-mounted motor with up to 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and a battery pack offering as much as 67.1 kWh, so the Lafa 5 will likely share similar numbers.

 Stellantis’ Chinese Brand Is Gunning For VW’s Electric Turf

A Record Month for Leapmotor

Leapmotor shared the Lafa 5 teasers on its social media accounts, celebrating a new record month in terms of sales. The brand delivered 57,066 units in August, which is an all-time high and represents an 88% increase compared to the same month last year.

More: Stellantis’ Chinese Brand Unveils Its First Sedan

The company’s vice president Cao Li described the Lafa 5 as a car designed for “young people who refuse to settle, conform, or be ordinary.” That ambition will put it directly in competition not only with the VW ID.3 but also with the Cupra Born, Peugeot E-308, Opel Astra Electric, MG 4, BYD Dolphin, and Renault Megane E-Tech.

More details are set to be revealed when the Lafa 5 takes the stage at the Munich Motor Show next week, so stay tuned for mow.

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