Latest news with #DamienDally
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
New cheapest EV in Britain revealed as Tesla rival knocks £1,500 off price of compact city car
A NEW Chinese electric vehicle has grabbed the crown as Britain's cheapest EV – knocking its rival off the top spot with a surprise price cut. 5 The Leapmotor T03 city car is now on sale for just £14,495 5 That makes it £500 cheaper than the Dacia Spring Credit: Newspress That makes it £500 cheaper than the The price drop applies immediately across the UK as Leapmotor looks to get ahead of the The firm, which now sells its models through Vauxhall and Peugeot showrooms as part of a deal with European giant Stellantis, says it is offering customers an instant saving while the official subsidy remains weeks away. Based in China, Leapmotor is also cutting the cost of its larger C10 SUV by £3,750. Read more on Motors The new price tag of £32,750 puts it well under the Government's £37,000 grant threshold. Both cars qualify for 0 per cent finance deals and come with long warranties — four years on the car and eight years on the battery. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the Government's new scheme on Monday. The Electric Car Grant will offer between £1,500 and £3,750 off qualifying electric vehicles, depending on how sustainably they are made. Most read in Motors However, it's not available yet, as carmakers must apply for approval — a process that could take weeks. That's left firms like Leapmotor in limbo. The brand says its 'Leap-Grant' is a proactive move to give drivers savings now, before the Government scheme kicks in. Managing director Damien Dally said the company wants to give drivers clarity, confidence and immediate savings. But questions hang over whether Leapmotor — and other Chinese EV makers — will qualify at all. To get the full Government grant, manufacturers must meet green targets under the Science-Based Targets initiative, a framework that rates the environmental impact of vehicle production, including energy use at factories. Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood has warned that vehicles made in China may not be eligible. Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, she said factories powered by coal are unlikely to meet the Government's strict criteria. She added that only brands reaching minimum environmental standards will be approved for taxpayer support. This has sparked tension with the Chinese government. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in London said the UK must follow World Trade Organisation rules and avoid discriminatory policies. They warned they are monitoring the situation closely and would defend the rights of Chinese companies. 'It swallows up the potholes and the bumps' cries car dealership owner over popular motor brand ideal for the countryside Even There's also doubt over the Dacia Spring's eligibility. Although Dacia is a Renault-owned brand, the Spring is built in Wuhan, China, at a joint venture facility shared with Dongfeng Motor Group. Seven low-cost electric cars expected to benefit from the grant — including the Dacia Spring, MG4, Peugeot e-208, But with the Government now focusing on sustainability standards, many of those could also miss out on the full grant unless their makers can prove they meet the green benchmarks. Tax payers are, however, footing the bill for the £650million subsidy scheme, including for EVs leased through Motability, prompting criticism from some quarters. Commentators have questioned whether public funds should be used to make new cars cheaper for wealthier drivers at a time when many families are struggling to afford food. The Government is also promising £63million to improve the UK's public charging infrastructure and £25million to help people without off-street parking charge their EVs at home. But even Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander admitted she doesn't currently drive an electric vehicle herself, citing the cost. For now, Leapmotor is pressing ahead with its own incentive. The T03 is being offered on a four-year personal contract purchase plan at just £169 per month with a £169 deposit. The larger C10 SUV comes in at £319 per month, also with a matching deposit and 0 per cent APR. Both offers run until 30 September. Whether the brand qualifies for official Government support or not, Leapmotor has made its move — and, for now at least, it means Britain's cheapest electric car is Chinese, costs just under £14.5k. 5 The new price tag of £32,750 puts it well under the Government's £37,000 grant threshold Credit: Leapmotor 5 But even Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander admitted she doesn't currently drive an electric vehicle herself, citing the cost Credit: Leapmotor 5 Seven low-cost electric cars expected to benefit from the grant Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
New cheapest EV in Britain revealed as Tesla rival knocks £1,500 off price of compact city car
But not everyone's happy about it DRIVE DOWN COSTS New cheapest EV in Britain revealed as Tesla rival knocks £1,500 off price of compact city car A NEW Chinese electric vehicle has grabbed the crown as Britain's cheapest EV – knocking its rival off the top spot with a surprise price cut. The Leapmotor T03 city car is now on sale for just £14,495 after the manufacturer slashed £1,500 from the original list price. 5 The Leapmotor T03 city car is now on sale for just £14,495 5 That makes it £500 cheaper than the Dacia Spring Credit: Newspress That makes it £500 cheaper than the Dacia Spring, which had held the budget EV title for the past year at £14,995. The price drop applies immediately across the UK as Leapmotor looks to get ahead of the Government's new Electric Car Grant, which is set to come into force next month. The firm, which now sells its models through Vauxhall and Peugeot showrooms as part of a deal with European giant Stellantis, says it is offering customers an instant saving while the official subsidy remains weeks away. Based in China, Leapmotor is also cutting the cost of its larger C10 SUV by £3,750. The new price tag of £32,750 puts it well under the Government's £37,000 grant threshold. Both cars qualify for 0 per cent finance deals and come with long warranties — four years on the car and eight years on the battery. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the Government's new scheme on Monday. The Electric Car Grant will offer between £1,500 and £3,750 off qualifying electric vehicles, depending on how sustainably they are made. However, it's not available yet, as carmakers must apply for approval — a process that could take weeks. That's left firms like Leapmotor in limbo. The brand says its 'Leap-Grant' is a proactive move to give drivers savings now, before the Government scheme kicks in. Managing director Damien Dally said the company wants to give drivers clarity, confidence and immediate savings. But questions hang over whether Leapmotor — and other Chinese EV makers — will qualify at all. To get the full Government grant, manufacturers must meet green targets under the Science-Based Targets initiative, a framework that rates the environmental impact of vehicle production, including energy use at factories. Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood has warned that vehicles made in China may not be eligible. Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, she said factories powered by coal are unlikely to meet the Government's strict criteria. She added that only brands reaching minimum environmental standards will be approved for taxpayer support. This has sparked tension with the Chinese government. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in London said the UK must follow World Trade Organisation rules and avoid discriminatory policies. They warned they are monitoring the situation closely and would defend the rights of Chinese companies. 'It swallows up the potholes and the bumps' cries car dealership owner over popular motor brand ideal for the countryside Even BYD — China's biggest EV manufacturer — has confirmed it is applying for the grant but, like Leapmotor, has yet to hear back. There's also doubt over the Dacia Spring's eligibility. Although Dacia is a Renault-owned brand, the Spring is built in Wuhan, China, at a joint venture facility shared with Dongfeng Motor Group. Seven low-cost electric cars expected to benefit from the grant — including the Dacia Spring, MG4, Peugeot e-208, Fiat 500e and Volkswagen ID.3 — though most will only get the lower £1,500 discount unless they can prove greener production credentials. But with the Government now focusing on sustainability standards, many of those could also miss out on the full grant unless their makers can prove they meet the green benchmarks. Tax payers are, however, footing the bill for the £650million subsidy scheme, including for EVs leased through Motability, prompting criticism from some quarters. Commentators have questioned whether public funds should be used to make new cars cheaper for wealthier drivers at a time when many families are struggling to afford food. The Government is also promising £63million to improve the UK's public charging infrastructure and £25million to help people without off-street parking charge their EVs at home. But even Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander admitted she doesn't currently drive an electric vehicle herself, citing the cost. For now, Leapmotor is pressing ahead with its own incentive. The T03 is being offered on a four-year personal contract purchase plan at just £169 per month with a £169 deposit. The larger C10 SUV comes in at £319 per month, also with a matching deposit and 0 per cent APR. Both offers run until 30 September. Whether the brand qualifies for official Government support or not, Leapmotor has made its move — and, for now at least, it means Britain's cheapest electric car is Chinese, costs just under £14.5k. 5 The new price tag of £32,750 puts it well under the Government's £37,000 grant threshold Credit: Leapmotor 5 But even Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander admitted she doesn't currently drive an electric vehicle herself, citing the cost Credit: Leapmotor
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Leapmotor reduces its BEV prices by around 10% in the UK
The Stellantis-Leapmotor JV, Leapmotor International, has announced cuts of around 10% to its all-electric car prices in the UK car market. Leapmotor says the 'Leap-grant' reductions are immediately available on its China-built models and are ahead of the UK government's new BEV grants which will be introduced shortly (full details on implementation still unclear). Effectively, they come into effect a few weeks before the UK gov grants apply and act as a temporary pre-grants discount. Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! The Insurance Savings You Expect Great Rates and Award-Winning Service Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You From 18th July, the brand says it is is flipping the switch with its own self-funded EV grant – offering up to £3,750 off its electric car range immediately. That makes the T03 5-door electric city car available at just £14,495 OTR (on the road), and the C10 family SUV available from £32,750 OTR – both available with 0% APR finance. Leapmotor says the move gives its buyers clarity and savings now, while the government scheme still remains to kick in for UK car buyers. 'Our mission is to help make the leap to electric cars easy for UK drivers,' said Damien Dally, Managing Director, Leapmotor UK. 'We've decided to act now because we want to give customers clarity, confidence, and immediate savings – and make the switch to electric a simple choice.' The Leapmotor T03 is a compact electric city car which offers up to 165 miles range (WLTP), rapid DC charging, 10 ADAS features and many premium touches as standard, including a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, rear parking camera with sensors, keyless start, and 10.1″ touchscreen. The C10 is described by Leapmotor as a spacious, tech-rich, large electric family SUV offering up to 263 miles of range (WLTP). It comes with premium features such as a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, heated steering wheel and seats, 12-speaker audio and dual HD displays. The C10 also comes with intelligent ambient lighting, vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging, a heat pump, power tailgate and a five-star Euro NCAP rating with multiple advanced driver assistance systems. Furthermore, every Leapmotor vehicle is backed by a 'comprehensive four-year warranty', while the battery is covered by a separate eight-year guarantee, it says. Leapmotor International is Stellantis-led JV company – with a 51/49 ownership split between Stellantis and China-based Leapmotor. "Leapmotor reduces its BEV prices by around 10% in the UK" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald Scotland
Car brand offering bungee jumps to potential customers
Up to 100 jumps are being offered free on a first-come, first-served basis. Aptly named electric car brand Leapmotor is behind the initiative. It's hoped the bungee jumps will inspire motorists yet to go electric to take the leap. There's a bungee ride in Scotland. On it, people are dropped into pitch blackness 😱 — The Random Guy (@RandomTheGuy_) May 15, 2025 Anyone brave enough to bungee will enjoy a full panoramic view of London before they jump. They'll get the chance to take in iconic landmarks such as The Shard, The London Eye, and The BT Tower in full view as they hurtle towards the ground. Damien Dally, MD of Leapmotor UK, said: 'The thought of doing a bungee jump will be quite a daunting one for many. 'But sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone and take a leap – like making the switch to electric. 'So, if you fancy stepping out of your comfort zone, please come down to Coram's Fields and say hello.' Leapmotor officially launched in the UK in early 2025 with its city car, the T03, and its family-focused SUV, the C10. The manufacturer has partnered with Stellantis, one of the largest car brands in the world, to distribute its vehicles nationwide at 46 dealerships. Recommended reading: The joint venture is led by 51 per cent stakeholder Stellantis, which has 130 years of history in the UK automotive sector. Damien Dally added: 'As for our pop-up dealership, we couldn't think of a more fitting way to launch our brand into the UK by helping Brits literally take the ultimate leap, a bungee jump from 160-feet-tall crane. 'Leapmotor is on a mission to be the best value EV brand in the UK and make electric driving accessible to everyone. 'It is clear many drivers are still nervous about making the switch to electric, but we believe our offering is the perfect first step into electric.'
Scotsman
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Car brand drives traffic to its showroom – by offering bungee jumps
New electric car brand Leapmotor has opened a one-of-a-kind car showroom at Corams Fields | Will Ireland/PinPep A new electric car brand offered visitors free bungee jumps - to drive traffic to its showrooms. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Customers got the chance to leap over the top of a 50-metre crane - the same length as an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Up to 100 jumps were offered free on a first come, first served basis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Aptly named electric car brand Leapmotor is behind the initiative, which took place at Coram's Fields in central London yesterday [Wednesday June 25] from 10am until 5pm. It's hoped the bungee jumps will inspire motorists yet to go electric to take the leap. Anyone brave enough to bungee will enjoy a full panoramic view of London before they jump. They got the chance to take in iconic landmarks such as The Shard, The London Eye, and The BT Tower in full view as they hurtle towards the ground. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Damien Dally, MD of Leapmotor UK, said: 'The thought of doing a bungee jump will be quite a daunting one for many. 'But sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone and take a leap – like making the switch to electric. 'So, if you fancy stepping out of your comfort zone, please come down to Coram's Fields and say hello.' The showroom offers free bungee jumps while browsing for an electric car | Will Ireland/PinPep 'Take a leap - like making the switch to electric' Leapmotor officially launched in the UK in early 2025 with its city car, the T03, and its family-focused SUV, the C10. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The manufacturer has partnered with Stellantis, one of the largest car brands in the world, to distribute its vehicles nationwide at 46 dealerships. The joint venture is led by 51 per cent stakeholder Stellantis, which has 130 years of history in the UK automotive sector. Damien Dally added: 'As for our pop-up dealership, we couldn't think of a more fitting way to launch our brand into the UK by helping Brits literally take the ultimate leap, a bungee jump from a 160-feet-tall crane. 'Leapmotor is on a mission to be the best value EV brand in the UK and make electric driving accessible to everyone. 'It is clear many drivers are still nervous about making the switch to electric, but we believe our offering is the perfect first step into electric.'
