Leapmotor might supply an electrical ute too

The Leapmotor model could have solely been launched in Australia in current months, however regardless of arriving right here with only one mannequin, it hasn’t dominated out the potential for growing a ute to compete in one among Australia’s hottest auto market segments.

Leapmotor, working right here by a three way partnership with auto conglomerate Stellantis, is the one Chinese language model in Australia but to verify concrete plans for a ute – even Chery has beforehand mentioned it desires to introduce a ute, and has proven off an idea.

Regardless of that, Leapmotor Worldwide CEO Tianshu Xin says that whereas the fledgling model doesn’t have a ute or pickup truck on the playing cards, it’s doable one might be developed – probably with electrical energy.

“From Leapmotor’s perspective, if you happen to take a look at the product plan they’ve in China for the time being, the primary focus in China is just not pickup. Pickup doesn’t enable [you] to enter town centre, the pickup [segment] is just too small in China,” he mentioned.

“Within the present Leapmotor product plan, we don’t have the pickup.

“And, frankly talking, there’s nothing to cover. However the pace they’re growing new merchandise is superb, it doesn’t rule [that] out sooner or later.”

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Because it stands, there’s already no scarcity of Chinese language utes on sale in Australia. The present catalogue consists of the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon and Cannon Alpha, JAC T9, and LDV T60, with a minimum of a number of extra on the horizon.

JAC has revealed the Hunter PHEV, LDV was the primary in Australia to promote an electrical ute within the type of the eT60, and can quickly carry a alternative within the eTerron 9, whereas MG is gearing as much as launch its intently associated U9 dual-cab ute.

It’s additionally no secret that dual-cab utes are among the many hottest autos in Australia, behind solely medium SUVs as of April 2025. The Ford Ranger was Australia’s general best-selling car in 2024, whereas the Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton are additionally among the many nation’s top-selling autos.

Mr Xin mentioned it was necessary for Leapmotor – based in 2015 – to stand up and working in Australia earlier than worrying about potential fashions exterior its consolation zone, whereas additionally outlining that its export distribution associate Stellantis is already established within the pickup world, by way of the Jeep Gladiator and Ram 1500.

“While you’re trying on the enterprise determination, the product plan, it’s a must to ensure that the product plan we’re introducing is smart,” he mentioned.

“Pickup [trucks are] an enormous market, but in addition [in] Stellantis group, now we have a very good pickup – Ram – as effectively.

“I feel that when you find yourself a startup, when you find yourself a brand new child, you can not count on that day one you cowl the whole lot, you change into knowledgeable marathon runner. It’s important to take issues one step at a time.”

In keeping with Mr Xin, relatively than specializing in utes or pickup, Leapmotor is selecting to prioritise passenger fashions just like the C10 mid-size SUV that launched in Australia as an electrical car (EV), and is now out there with an extended-range electrical car (EREV) powertrain too.

“However it doesn’t essentially rule out [that] we will even develop not solely pickup, however Leapmotor additionally getting into into the industrial car house,” Mr Xin added.

“As a result of, even within the mild industrial house, this vitality transition will occur as effectively, however it will likely be perhaps a number of years behind passenger automobiles.”

If Leapmotor have been to develop into the industrial car section as an EV and EREV model, it will nonetheless be competing with the likes of LDV and its eDeliver 7 and eDeliver 9 electrical vans.

Volkswagen is about to carry PHEV variations of its Transporter van and Multivan folks mover to Australia inside the subsequent 12 months, together with outlining an curiosity in promoting the Caddy eHybrid domestically. The electrical ID. Buzz Cargo is now on sale right here too.

Ford, in the meantime, affords a PHEV model of its Transit Customized van, whereas an electrical E-Transit Customized will quickly be part of its industrial vary.

Different extra area of interest electrical rivals may be the Mercedes-Benz eVito and eSprinter, the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, and the Chinese language Skywell D11 van.

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