Accessible 5-Star safety and smart EV tech for Kiwi drivers.
For many Kiwis, the idea of owning a high-tech electric vehicle often feels like a luxury reserved for those with deep pockets.
A new automotive brand has arrived in New Zealand with a mission to change that by making advanced, intelligent mobility much more accessible.
Leapmotor, founded in 2015 by electrical engineer Zhu Jiangming, is not just another car company – it is a technology-led brand that builds the majority of its car parts and software in-house.
This approach allows them to include features usually found in expensive luxury cars, such as a centralised computer “brain” called the Four-Leaf Clover that manages everything from the engine to the cabin.
This system allows the car to receive over-the-air updates, much like a smartphone, which the company has already used to fine-tune safety features specifically for New Zealand’s unique road conditions.
For drivers, that means a cleaner interface, fewer separate control systems and a smoother, more intuitive in-car experience that feels closer to using a smart device than a traditional vehicle dashboard.
Safety and global trust are at the core of Leapmotor’s entry into the market, a commitment backed by independent testing. The Leapmotor B10 achieved a 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating under the latest 2025 protocols – one of the most rigorous global benchmarks.
Under ANCAP’s latest 2023–2025 testing protocols, the B10 also achieved the equal-highest Child Occupant Protection score across all brands.
For Kiwi drivers weighing up newer brands, these ratings provide tangible reassurance.
“In 2025 Leapmotor was the fastest growing NEV (New Energy Vehicle – what BEVs and HEVs are called in China) brand in China,” says Brian Carr, general manager of sales for Auto Distributors NZ, distributor of Leapmotor in New Zealand.
“But it’s not just a Chinese brand selling in China – it’s got a global presence. All up now, there are currently 1700 sites around the world as they further develop sales touchpoints, mainly through Europe.”
Leapmotor has formed a major strategic partnership with Stellantis, the global giant behind the likes of Peugeot, Citroen and Ferrari.
Stellantis not only owns a 20% stake in Leapmotor, but the two have also formed a joint venture to handle production and distribution of Leapmotor vehicles outside China, with an initial focus on Europe before moving wider into markets like New Zealand.
The partnership gives Leapmotor immediate scale and long-term backing in global markets, while allowing Stellantis to benefit from Leapmotor’s software-led electric expertise.
Locally, Leapmotor is managed by the same experienced team that handles European brands in New Zealand.
To further bolster support, regional parts distribution hubs are being launched, with the latest facility in Malaysia, making after-sales service more efficient and long-term availability more stable.
The current New Zealand line-up consists of three variants: C10 BEV, C10 REEV and B10 BEV.
The award-winning C10 SUV combines a mid-size footprint with a cavernous boot and generous rear legroom, making it popular with private buyers, corporate fleets and rideshare drivers alike.
The C10 offers both a pure-electric version or an “Ultra Hybrid” range extender electric vehicle (REEV) that is particularly clever. It drives entirely on electricity, but uses its small petrol engine essentially as a generator to charge the battery on the go, effectively removing range anxiety by offering nearly 1000km of total travel before needing more fuel or a plug.
The smaller B10, on the other hand, is a pure electric SUV designed for active families who need space and comfort for both the school run and long weekend road trips.
Despite its compact footprint, the B10 delivers a spacious, tech-focused interior, including a large central touchscreen and Leapmotor’s centralised software architecture, allowing over-the-air updates as the vehicle evolves.
Its efficient electric platform provides the kind of real-world range Kiwi drivers expect, making it equally suited to daily commuting and longer journeys, while a flat floor and smart packaging maximise interior space for passengers and cargo alike.
Looking ahead, Leapmotor will expand its range in New Zealand with several new models.
“We’ve got the three different variants now, but that will grow to eight before the end of the year,” said Carr.
“We’ve got the C10 BEV All-Wheel Drive, which is currently landing, and a long-range C10 BEV model built on an 800-volt architecture with an 82kWh battery, offering over 600km of range, expected very shortly.”
Carr said that range-extender (REEV) versions of the B10 will also be available, catering to those seeking extended travel capabilities, while the B05 and A10 battery electric vehicles are confirmed for arrival before the year’s end.
The A10 will offer a compact and easy-to-park option that serves as a great entry point for first-time EV buyers, and the B05 will sit in the middle as a sporty hatchback-style car for drivers who want something agile and fun for daily use.
“It’s not just the model range that’s growing in New Zealand,” says Carr.
“Through March and April, we’re doubling our dealer network, making it easier for customers to access Leapmotor. We’ll have multiple sites across Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch, and there’s more expansion news coming over the next few months.”
By offering everything from city cars to large family SUVs, Leapmotor is positioning itself as the intelligent, value-driven choice for New Zealand’s electric future with the reassurance of being backed by a global giant like Stellantis.