TerraVolt eMoto spoke to the new Arctic Leopard Australia Director on their new national distributorship, the rollout of a new dealer network and the initial model range due to hit our shores before the end of the year.

When Arctic Leopard in China revealed to TerraVolt in September that it planned to sign a new distributor arrangement in Australia in October, details remained sparse. We’ve now spoken to the new Director of Arctic Leopard Australia, Sharlaine Slopsema, about the brand’s full roll-out plans for Australia.

The team driving the rollout brings a heavy motorsport background to the brand. “We come out of performance and race cars — more than 20 years of building, tuning and racing,” Slopsema said.

JPS Motorsports, a four-year-old dedicated workshop, grew directly out of that racing heritage and serves as the operational core for the new motorcycle brand.

“It’s where the mechanical depth comes from, and it’s the standard we’re holding this brand to. We’ve always ridden as well, and two to three years ago we set up Rodi Electric for electric bike sales, service and rentals, which took us straight into e-motos.”

The new team came to Arctic Leopard first as dealers. “We sold them, rode them and pulled them apart, and we could see how good the platform was — and how much more it could be here with the right operation behind it,” Slopsema explained. Rather than waiting for an outside player to establish that infrastructure, “we put our hand up.”

Suspension Backing and Initial Model Lineup

Alongside the vehicle distribution, the team has secured the Western Australian distribution rights for Sirris, the US-based suspension manufacturer producing dedicated motocross-design forks and shocks for eMotos.

“For WA riders that means a real suspension upgrade path from day one, which is normally the thing a newer brand can’t offer.”

The official signing occurs in China later this month, with the first shipment slated to land in November or December. Pre-orders are scheduled to open shortly before the inaugural shipment arrives on Australian shores.

Three models lead the initial launch:

  • XF Pro MX: A dedicated motocross-wheeled iteration of the XF, running a 19/16-inch wheel setup instead of the standard 17/14 combination. Slopsema noted that there is nothing else on the market doing that combination at the price.
  • XE Pro S: Mid-tier performance trail offering.
  • XE Pro R: Top-spec flagship variant of the XE platform.

Pricing for all three initial models is yet to be confirmed.

As for the XD PRO and XC models flagged at CIMAMotor in September, both are on Arctic Leopard Australia’s agenda in China this month. The XD PRO is likely to arrive first given its current production status, though Slopsema could not commit to a firm date before those discussions take place.

Logistics, Parts, and Market Strategy

A key focus for the Australian operation is establishing local spare parts availability ahead of sales volume.

“Spares land with the bikes and we hold them here. We’re not a brand that takes four weeks to get you a controller. That’s the difference between a distributor and an importer, and it’s the part that decides whether a brand is still here in three years.”

Dealer appointments are currently underway nationally. The distribution strategy will unfold across two key phases:

  • First arrivals (Nov/Dec): Lands in Western Australia. Supplies initial WA demand while fulfilling eastern-states dealer orders out of Perth.
  • Second shipment (Early Next Year): Comprises two 20-foot containers landing directly on the east coast via a third-party logistics provider for faster delivery to eastern dealers.

On the competition front, Arctic Leopard Australia said racing is not a day-one priority. Slopsema confirmed, “The first year is recreational and trail riders. We’ll look at it as the range and the network mature.”

Overall, great news for Australian eMoto riders. Just as Arctic Leopard in China starts building out its range of full-sized eMotos, we see what promises to be a committed and well-coordinated Australian distributor, an expanded model range, and a focus on customer service and support. We look forward to throwing our legs over the new model range when it becomes available.

Sources: TerraVolt eMoto interview with Sharlaine Slopsema, Arctic Leopard Australia, October 2026; arctic-leopard.com.