Alexandre
The Leapmotor T03, a newcomer to the electric city car segment, promises to shake up the European market. at an unbeatable price. Sold from 14,900 after environmental bonus in France (€19,500 excluding bonus)This small Chinese electric car is entering a market already undermined by strong competition in the A segment. However, it is above all Fiat, and more specifically the Fiat 500e, that could suffer from this arrival.
An aggressive pricing strategy will penalize the Fiat 500e
The Leapmotor T03, with its attractive price of less than €15,000 for an urban electric vehicle, poses a serious challenge to the Fiat 500e, priced at €30,400 with a much shorter range (190 km vs. 265 km for the T03). This price difference highlights a major problem for the 500thwhose sales are already in freefall. With only 20,000 units expected in 2024far from the 100,000 initially forecast, the iconic Italian city car seems to have reached an impasse.
T03's rock-bottom price tag could attract a European clientele more sensitive to the price of electric vehicles, particularly in an economic context where access to electric cars often remains expensive. The Fiat 500e, despite its timeless design and strong brand image, struggles to justify its price against a T03 that offers comparable technical specifications at a much more competitive cost.
Leapmotor: a strategic partner for Stellantis
As a reminder, the alliance between Stellantis and Leapmotor is beginning to bear fruit. The global group, which now holds 21 % of Leapmotor shares, is capitalizing on this opportunity to offer low-cost vehicles while benefiting from the technological expertise of its Chinese partner. With the Leapmotor T03, Stellantis brings to Europe an electric city car capable of competing directly with models such as the Dacia Spring or BYD's Seagull.
This joint venture, which focuses on vehicles produced partly in Europe (notably at the Tychy plant in Poland), enables Stellantis to offer affordable alternatives in a rapidly changing market. By addingLong-term rental from €79 per month, the T03 becomes an even more attractive option for city dwellers.
Fiat 500e: towards a black year
While the Leapmotor T03 looks set for a bright future, the Fiat 500e is in a tricky situation. Already facing a drastic drop in production to an all-time low of 20,000 units by 2024, the 500e must now contend with this new competition. Mirafiori, Fiat's historic Turin plant, is idling, with employees on short-time working and production at half-mast.
The initial success of the Fiat 500e when it was launched in 2020, with 44,000 sales in 2021 and a peak of 66,000 in 2022, now seems a long way off. Sales have plummeted in 2023, and forecasts for 2024 are hardly encouraging. The launch of the American version of the 500e, which was supposed to revitalize the brand, also ended in failure. Henceforth, all eyes are on Fiat's future electric and hybrid models, due in 2026to rectify the situation.
A dilemma for Stellantis
The joint venture with Leapmotor puts Stellantis in a complex position. On the one hand, the group must support the success of the Leapmotor T03, a city car that could strengthen its presence in the low-cost electric vehicle segment. On the other, it must also protect its own brands, including Fiat, which is already suffering the repercussions of the 500e production cutback.
The Leapmotor T03, with its tempting specifications and unbeatable price, risks further cannibalizing sales of the 500e. In this period of transition, Stellantis needs to strike a balance between promoting its new partnerships and protecting its historic brands.
You know here at Ital passion that I adore the bodywork of the new 500e! But Stellantis, or at least FIAT Italy and its Minister of Industry, should have shaken up the Stellantis Board of Directors, who didn't anticipate that they had the Leap motor in the drawers, and worse, that it was going to be a big hit! Because frankly, it's pretty, super-equipped and unbeatable value! You should know that the many young people who have Citroën Ami.e's, as soon as they turn 18 and get their driving license, and having had a taste of electrics, they're going to buy the LeapT03 right away! A truly superb city car, with 4 doors and an open panoramic roof, for less than the price of their little Ami.e !!!!!! offered by mom and dad!!!! Incredible but true!
Merci Thank you merci a vous Tous!
Scrooge really did everything he could to spoil the 500...
It had been a bestseller since 2007, and then it arrived...
Leapmotor is very cheap, and very ugly.
The Fiat 500e has positioned itself in the luxury city car category, with its high prices and lack of a hybrid engine. The Fiat 500e is very good, but it's no longer as affordable as the Fiat 500 combustion engine was, which explains its disappointing sales, and the absence of a hybrid engine (not due for more than a year).
We can thank Elon Musk for getting us into this mess! The Chinese are rubbing their hands! 🙄
VW's dieselgate was the precipitating event.
How can you compare the Fiat 500 e to this horror! For 2 months I've had a 500e after two 500 thermics and I've never been disappointed with my choice! The 500e red is a little marvel to drive and its finish is very worthy!