Stellantis and Leapmotor are probably wincing at the fact that a number of news websites and publications have publicised the boo-boo at the launch of the C10 SUV today. This electric car news website included.
A slide of Malaysia showing the intended dealer network for Leapmotor labelled Sabah as Sarawak.
In addition, the position of the two Malaysian states on Borneo Island relative to Peninsular Malaysia was not accurately depicted and the person who prepared the slide made Sarawak and Sabah appeared smaller than the peninsula.
Sarawak and Sabah combined actually have a land mass far in excess of the peninsula.
Perhaps, the geographically-challenged individual who prepared the slide also did a similar one for the Proton e.MAS 7 a few months earlier. The same mislabelling took place when Proton showed the press the plan for its dealer distribution across the country.
In the case of Proton, it apologised for the error when it was pointed out. Meanwhile Stellantis and Leapmotor have kept quiet about their map error, perhaps hoping that the kerfuffle would blow away soon as the public move on to more pressing matters – like dealing with the rising cost of living.
It’s a blight, however, on a young Chinese brand like Leapmotor making its initial foray into the Asian market when its first product launch is marred by a silly mistake that could easily have been avoided if someone bothered to check the presentation details in their entirety.
Let’s hope Leapmotor/Stellantis/Proton and other automakers learn from this embarrassing error and strive not to repeat it on Malaysia or any other country for that matter.
