- CKD production begins at Stellantis Gurun plant with Cycle & Carriage partnership
- C10 and B10 local rollout marks shift from exports to in-market manufacturing
Leapmotor has begun local assembly of its C10 SUV in Malaysia, launching CKD production at Stellantis’ Gurun plant in Kedah and marking a key step in the Chinese EV maker‘s shift from exports to localized manufacturing in Southeast Asia.
The move was unveiled alongside the start of distribution operations with local automotive dealer Cycle & Carriage (C&C).
Both sides outlined a combined production-and-sales rollout aimed at strengthening Leapmotor’s footprint in the Malaysian market.
CKD stands for Completely Knocked Down, meaning a manufacturing method where a vehicle is shipped as a full set of parts and then assembled locally in the destination country.
Transition from exports to a hybrid model
The CKD rollout in Gurun represents a transition for Leapmotor, as it moves from vehicle exports toward a hybrid model combining local production and localized sales channels in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing EV markets.
The Gurun facility, operated by Stellantis, has an annual capacity of 60,000 units. Stellantis has invested more than 25 million ringgit ($6.15 million) in the project.
CKD production for the C10 began between April and May 2026, according to company disclosures.
Local operating model
Leapmotor said the local assembly setup in Gurun will shorten delivery times, reduce supply chain costs, and improve competitiveness while better aligning the model with local demand.
The C10 will be followed by the B10, which is also scheduled for local production at the same facility.
The launch comes as Leapmotor steps up its Southeast Asia expansion strategy, leveraging Stellantis’ manufacturing base and Cycle & Carriage’s distribution network to build a more integrated local operating model.
According to Malaysia’s Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan, or the country’s Road Transport Department, Leapmotor registered 237 vehicles in May 2026, ranking 19th among all automotive brands in the country for the month.
By model, the C10 logged 88 registrations in May, bringing cumulative registrations to 756 units, while 149 owners took delivery of the B10 in May with total registrations reaching 439 units.
