Leapmotor could offer an electric ute too

The Leapmotor brand may have only been launched in Australia in recent months, but despite arriving here with just one model, it hasn’t ruled out the possibility of developing a ute to compete in one of Australia’s most popular auto market segments.

Leapmotor, operating here through a joint venture with auto conglomerate Stellantis, is the only Chinese brand in Australia yet to confirm concrete plans for a ute – even Chery has previously said it wants to introduce a ute, and has shown off a concept.

Despite that, Leapmotor International CEO Tianshu Xin says that while the fledgling brand doesn’t have a ute or pickup truck on the cards, it’s possible one could be developed – likely with electric power.

“From Leapmotor’s perspective, if you look at the product plan they have in China at the moment, the main focus in China is not pickup. Pickup doesn’t allow [you] to go into the city centre, the pickup [segment] is too small in China,” he said.

“In the current Leapmotor product plan, we do not have the pickup.

“And, frankly speaking, there’s nothing to hide. But the speed they are developing new products is amazing, it doesn’t rule [that] out in the future.”

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As it stands, there’s already no shortage of Chinese utes on sale in Australia. The current catalogue includes the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon and Cannon Alpha, JAC T9, and LDV T60, with at least a few more on the horizon.

JAC has revealed the Hunter PHEV, LDV was the first in Australia to sell an electric ute in the form of the eT60, and will soon bring a replacement in the eTerron 9, while MG is gearing up to launch its closely related U9 dual-cab ute.

It’s also no secret that dual-cab utes are among the most popular vehicles in Australia, behind only medium SUVs as of April 2025. The Ford Ranger was Australia’s overall best-selling vehicle in 2024, while the Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton are also among the nation’s top-selling vehicles.

Mr Xin said it was important for Leapmotor – founded in 2015 – to get up and running in Australia before worrying about potential models outside its comfort zone, while also outlining that its export distribution partner Stellantis is already established in the pickup world, via the Jeep Gladiator and Ram 1500.

“When you’re looking at the business decision, the product plan, you have to make sure the product plan we are introducing makes sense,” he said.

“Pickup [trucks are] a big market, but also [in] Stellantis group, we have a good pickup – Ram – as well.

“I think that when you are a startup, when you are a new baby, you cannot expect that day one you cover everything, you become a professional marathon runner. You have to take things one step at a time.”

According to Mr Xin, rather than focusing on utes or pickup, Leapmotor is choosing to prioritise passenger models like the C10 mid-size SUV that launched in Australia as an electric vehicle (EV), and is now available with an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain too.

“But it doesn’t necessarily rule out [that] we will also develop not only pickup, but Leapmotor also entering into the commercial vehicle space,” Mr Xin added.

“Because, even in the light commercial space, this energy transition will happen as well, but it will be maybe a few years behind passenger cars.”

If Leapmotor were to expand into the commercial vehicle segment as an EV and EREV brand, it would still be competing with the likes of LDV and its eDeliver 7 and eDeliver 9 electric vans.

Volkswagen is set to bring PHEV versions of its Transporter van and Multivan people mover to Australia within the next 12 months, along with outlining an interest in selling the Caddy eHybrid locally. The electric ID. Buzz Cargo is now on sale here too.

Ford, meanwhile, offers a PHEV version of its Transit Custom van, while an electric E-Transit Custom will soon join its commercial range.

Other more niche electric rivals could also be the Mercedes-Benz eVito and eSprinter, the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, and the Chinese Skywell D11 van.

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