We joined Leapmotor for its official Irish debut at Gowan Auto’s Distribution Centre in Citywest recently. The brand used the occasion to outline its plan for rapid growth, confirm four initial dealer appointments, and open the order books for its first two models. With a focus on “value without compromise,” Leapmotor also confirmed a six-year, unlimited-mileage warranty across the Irish range ahead of the 261 registration period. For those not aware, Leapmotor International is the joint venture between Stellantis, one of the world’s largest mobility groups, and Leapmotor, a fast-growing Chinese manufacturer that has already built its one-millionth vehicle, becoming only the second of the new Chinese marques to reach that milestone.
Ireland will see the fruits of this partnership immediately, with showroom arrivals of the compact T03 and the larger C10. The T03 launches with a WLTP range of up to 265 km and a starting price of €18,995 plus delivery related charges. The C10 arrives as a fully electric model from €38,995, and as a Range-Extended Electric Vehicle from €45,420, combining everyday EV smoothness with long-distance convenience. The C10 REEV runs purely on electric drive. A 1.5-litre petrol engine works only as a generator to recharge the battery when needed, never driving the wheels. That layout preserves the linear, quiet feel of an EV while delivering a combined WLTP range of up to 975 km, made up of approximately 145 km of electric driving and a further 830 km courtesy of the range-extending generator.
We drove the C10 at the Irish launch, leaving the outskirts of Dublin and cruising down to Mount Juliet Estate in County Kilkenny. The first impression is space: generous room in both rows and a cabin that feels well packaged for families. On the road the car’s engine generator cycled in and out depending on the selected mode and state of charge, and overall energy use on our round trip appeared frugal. The driver display and central screen present information clearly, although some assistance systems felt a little intrusive and are best tailored or disabled at source. We also noted an absence of in-car mapping and no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on our test vehicle. Leapmotor’s team acknowledged these points and said they will be addressed in the next software update.
Momentum will build quickly from here. The new B10 mid-size SUV, shown recently at IAA Mobility in Munich and previewed again at Citywest, arrives to Irish forecourts in November, followed by the B05 family hatchback in 2026. Two further models are scheduled before the end of 2027, creating an impressive line-up that stretches from city car to family SUV and beyond. Gowan Auto were appointed National Importer in May 2025 and have moved at pace to establish a retail network and aftersales footprint. The first partners are Joe Norris Motors in Navan, Dan Seaman Motors on Forge Hill in Cork, Greenhall Motors in Buttevant, and Kenny Galway on the Tuam Road. More appointments will follow, but for now the foundations are in place for test drives, sales and service coverage across the country, and the first batches of C10 and T03 have already reached dealer forecourts.
As Leapmotor takes its first official step onto Irish roads, the message is clear: rapid growth supported by a long warranty, accessible pricing, and a product strategy that mixes pure electric models with a practical range-extended option for long-distance travel. The brand invites drivers to “Take The Leap,” and we indeed plan on doing this with week long drives of both the C10 and the T03 in the coming weeks. Software glitches aside, which will no doubt be rectified in next round of software updates, Leapmotor could be a serious brand to watch!
