Stellantis to debut Leapmotor's EVs in South Africa this year
The C10 is an electric SUV with a petrol engine used purely to charge the battery. More Leapmotor models are expected to be launched next year, including fully electric models, Mike Whitfield, managing director of Stellantis South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, said in a statement.
Leapmotor created waves with its recent rollout of the all-electric B10 SUV equipped with smart-driving features and lidar sensing technology for less than $18,000.
In 2023, Stellantis bought a 21% stake in Leapmotor for $1.6 billion. The two automakers also formed the joint venture Leapmotor International, in which Stellantis holds a 51% stake.
Leapmotor will help the world's fourth-largest automaker widen its range of affordable EVs, as it presses ahead with electrification at a time when other Chinese automakers including BYD and Chery Auto are aggressively expanding into Africa.
"South Africa is a critical market for Stellantis, and we are fully committed to unlocking its potential through product, innovation and meaningful partnerships," Whitfield said.
Stellantis, which entered the South African market four years ago, is building a new plant in the country, with a maximum capacity of 100,000 vehicles by 2030. It plans to become the No.1 player in the Middle East and Africa region with one million vehicles sold by 2030, with 35% expected to be electric.
In 2024, it sold 500,000 cars in the Middle East and Africa.
With over 60% of the South African market concentrated below the 400,000 rand ($22,755) price point, Stellantis' Citroën C3 range is gaining strong traction, with the upcoming C3 Basalt set to complete a competitive lineup in the accessible B-hatch and SUV segments early next year, Whitfield said.
Stellantis will also launch the Citroën C3 Hola panel van, its entry into the growing commercial vehicle sector aimed at small business owners.>
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
20 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
'Give bully an inch, he takes a mile': China slams Trump's tariff on India
NEW DELHI: Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong on Thursday sharply criticised US President Donald Trump's decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian exports, saying, "give the bully an inch, he will take a mile.' The ambassador's remarks came just hours after Trump, during a White House press conference, signalled that China could be next in line for similar penalties due to its energy ties with Moscow. When asked whether secondary sanctions could apply to China—the largest importer of Russian crude—Trump said, 'We're looking at all options.' Xu's post was accompanied by a recent statement from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who in a phone call with Brazilian President Lula da Silva's top advisor, Celso Amorim, condemned Trump's use of tariffs as a coercive tool. "Using tariffs as a weapon to suppress other countries violates the UN Charter, undermines WTO rules and is both unpopular and unsustainable," Wang said. India has already termed the US move "unfortunate," pointing out that other major importers of Russian oil—including China—have so far avoided similar penalties.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Wheat, soy and corn bounce off lows as demand stirs
Strong export sales data boosts wheat, corn and soy futures Recovery also fuelled by short covering and technical trading (Updates for market open, changes dateline from PARIS/CANBERRA to CHICAGO) CHICAGO, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade wheat rebounded on Thursday after hitting a five-year low on Wednesday, and corn recovered from previous contract lows as chart support and signs of new export demand countered the pressure of ample supplies, traders said. Soybeans also edged up from a four-month trough as low prices stirred demand for the oilseed. Abundant supply expected from Northern Hemisphere wheat harvests and autumn corn and soybean harvests in the United States drove a sell-off the previous day. The most active wheat contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) was up 10-1/2 cents to $5.19 as of 10:30 a.m. CT (1530 GMT). The benchmark had fallen to its lowest since August 2020 on Wednesday at $5.04 but held above the $5 floor. "We're getting a corrective bounce with a boost from strong export numbers, which are a function of cheaper prices," Terry Linn, a broker at Linn & Associates, said. CBOT December corn was up 5 cents to $4.06-1/4 per bushel, after most corn contracts hit lifetime lows the previous day. Weekly U.S. export sales, reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday, showed wheat, corn and soybean volumes above market estimates. That bolstered expectations that the recent price drop, coupled with weakness in the dollar, has made U.S. crops attractive for export. The U.S. is expected to produce bumper corn and soy harvests later in the year. Analysts polled by Reuters think the U.S. Department of Agriculture will raise its estimates in a monthly report due on August 12. CBOT soybeans were last up 7-1/4 cents to $9.91-1/2 a bushel to recover from their lowest level since April struck a day earlier. Fund short covering and an uptick in demand helped fuel price recovery, traders and analysts said. "U.S. soybeans are the cheapest in the world clear out through the fall and non-Chinese buyers are scooping them up," Linn said.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
China Set To Equip Pakistan With J-35 Jets – With Both Rivals Boosting Airpower, Is India Falling Behind In The Sky?
New Delhi: Following a four-day military standoff between India and Pakistan this May, the spotlight has turned to the skies. Airpower is once again emerging as a critical element in regional defence postures. While India continues to face delays in modernising its fighter fleet, China is advancing rapidly. It is set to equip Pakistan with its latest fifth-generation J-35 stealth jets. The move signals a strengthening strategic alignment between Beijing and Islamabad and is prompting serious reflection within India's defence establishment over its preparedness and future capabilities. Beijing has invested heavily in next-generation combat aircraft. The Chinese air force is already flying J-20 stealth fighters. Now, the J-35 series is taking shape. The upgraded J-35A variant is next in line to join Chinese squadrons. Work has also begun on sixth-generation prototypes and new unmanned combat platforms. Islamabad is part of this evolution. In early June, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that his country expects to receive 40 J-35 fighters. These aircraft would mark the next major step in China-Pakistan defence ties. Pakistan already fields the J-10C, which is developed with Chinese support and fitted with long-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles. India is tracking these developments. The Indian Air Force is facing a shrinking fleet. As the last MiG-21s near retirement, its squadron strength is expected to fall to 29. The minimum requirement stands at 42. Over the last 10 years, India has inducted only 36 France-made Rafale jets. On the technology front, India is still searching for its own fifth-generation solution. Talks with the United States over F-35 jets did not progress. President Donald Trump had shown interest in selling them to India. But New Delhi declined. Plans to procure Russia's Su-57 fighters have also stalled. This leaves India without a clear timeline for next-generation jet acquisitions. Meanwhile, its adversaries continue to modernise and expand. Defence analysts say this growing gap should not be ignored. India has taken some steps to upgrade its air force. But the pace remains slow. Experts believe that integrating advanced combat aircraft into the fleet must now become a top priority as regional rivals are not waiting.
