Leapmotor B10 SUV Debuts in Mexico with Stellantis Backing, U.S. Entry Blocked

Chinese automaker Leapmotor has officially entered North America, but not in the way many expected. Instead of rolling into Canada or the United States, the Stellantis-backed brand launched its B10 SUV in Mexico, priced at around $33,000. The move marks a significant step for the company, which has spent years expanding globally, and it comes with the full support of Stellantis and its Mopar service network.

8 kWh battery that powers a 215-horsepower electric motor. Leapmotor claims the vehicle can travel up to 615 miles between fuel stops, making it a strong option for long-distance drivers. Engineers spent over a year adapting the SUV for Mexican roads, testing it at high altitudes, in desert heat, and tropical humidity before certification.

More models, including the C10 and C16 SUVs, are expected to follow.

Stellantis owns about 20 percent of Leapmotor and handles international sales through a joint venture. Rather than building a new dealer network, Leapmotor is using existing Stellantis showrooms, with more than 40 locations already open in Mexico. Canada could be next, as Stellantis explores manufacturing options there.

S. remains off-limits due to 100 percent tariffs on Chinese-built EVs and restrictions on connected vehicle technology, which recently pushed Polestar out of the American market. For now, Mexico is the beachhead for Leapmotor’s ambitious goal of delivering one million vehicles worldwide this year.