Tough climate for latest Chinese brand to hit here noted by distributor.

THOUGHT about how Government action has left the electric vehicle sector in a tough state has been shared by the distributor of the latest involver.

A new announcement in respect to the C10, a medium five-seater fully electric sports utility from new entrant Leapmotor, confirming it will avail in a single $54,990 specification, on sale from January, has given Rick Armstrong opportunity to share views.

In expressing confidence in the new opportunity offered by a make that has no previous history here and is in early stage of international operation, he also spoke to the current state of EV sales, which in 2024 has become extremely poor after almost four years of rising opportunity.

Armstrong’s Auto Distributors NZ operation has felt the burn.

ADNZ has already immersed into the EV-sphere with Peugeot and, even more deeply, Opel.

The German marque returned here in 2022 on strength of selling with electric emphasis; most of its products were fully battery-involved and all were priced to achieve the previous Labour Government’s sub-$80,000 incentive that curtailed on change of administration at end of last year.

The push started with optimism, but now appears to be a hard slog.

Sobering registrations data shows Opel has become another EV seller to experience a massive decline in consumer interest since the incentive dropped. Peugeot, which is now Opel’s parent, has also been battered.

Armstrong did not directly address this in shared comment, but did note that the terrain has massively altered, saying: “New Zealand has experienced its fair share of turbulence as successive governments discover our pathway to reduce the country’s carbon footprint.”

Nonetheless, he also seems to suggest ongoing confidence in having EVs, albeit without offering any specific forecast on how the C10 might work out.

“As leaders in automotive, it is critical we continue to embrace this technology and be part of this positive EV-focused development in our market.”

Leapmotor comes to New Zealand with absolutely no international brand equity. It was only founded in 2015.

Its export strategy occurs through a partnership with conglomerate Stellantis, which represents via two separate, competing distributors here.

ADNZ has Peugeot, Citroen and Opel representation and the more nationally-representative Ateco NZ holds keys to Jeep, RAM, Fiat and Alfa Romeo.

Leapmotor only makes battery cars. Founder Zhu Jiangming is an electrical engineer who has over 30 years of technical experience, according to the company website, which also describes the brand effort as being about delivering “technology-driven intelligent electric vehicles.”

Armstrong says the C10 will bring a new level of innovation and excellence to the EV segment.

“Manufacturing of EV products in China has expanded significantly over the last 10 years, the product being produced by Leapmotor is some of the best from across all brands. We are excited to be part of this global strategy”.

Leapmotor has proposed its car should be considered a Tesla Model Y equivalent, though the BYD Atto 3, MG 4, Omoda E5, and potentially also the Opel Mokka and Peugeot e-2008 might also be considered rivals.

ADNZ was to present the car directly to national media in Auckland yesterday, but on November 12 notified that the event had been postponed. A press release offering pricing detail came out instead.

The media share notified that the car will be on sale through Armstrong Group outlets in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch (with more franchises to be appointed) but did not make clear what the status of the stock count is, or if C10 is represented in the showroom from today.

Brian Carr, ADNZ general manager of sales, clarified this today, saying: “We have a small handful of pre-production cars in NZ that are being used for final evaluation, training and can be booked as media drives. Leapmotor officially goes on sale from January 2025 when stock of the Leap C10 start to arrive.”

Also of interest is that the car is only here in a single configuration; sister market Australia is to take two variants - the same high-specification Design model we have and a cheaper alternate, called Style, with less comforts.

Said Carr: “ADNZ decided to focus on one competitively priced vehicle with a compelling level of specification.

“The Leap C10 Design variant is a family SUV built with advanced technology, bold innovation, exemplary levels of ADAS and benchmark mobility experience for driver and passenger alike. Going to market with an MRP starting from $54990 (+ORC) presents consumers with a competitive well specified alternative ready for the NZ ever changing market.”

Pricing here is the same as that in Australia, when exchange rates are applied.

Warranty terms differ. The NZ market model carries a four-year, 100,000km warranty on the vehicle and an eight-year, 160,000km battery cover. Australia has a seven year unlimited kilometres warranty and the same battery warranty.

Customers in Australia who take delivery of their Leapmotor C10 by March 31 next year will receive one-year free charging on a popular network. That allowance does not seem to span to NZ.

The C10 has a rear-mounted 160kW/320Nm e-motor, 69.9kWh battery pack and 420km claimed WLTP range.

The car as we take it has 20 inch alloys, dusk-sensing LED headlights, a 14.6-inch infotainment system, sat-nav, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, wireless phone charger, a fixed panoramic roof, 12-speaker sound system, 360-degree camera, LED tail-light bar with animated signature, ‘silicone leather’ upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, powered tailgate, interior air quality monitor, multi-colour ambient lighting and rear privacy glass.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available with the C10 until an updated model arrives next year. Cars in original state cannot be retro-fitted.