Leapmotor Leads Record September for China's EV Makers as XPeng, Xiaomi Surge
Chinese electric vehicle startups posted record-breaking deliveries in September, as a traditional peak sales season and a flurry of new models underscored intensifying competition in the world's largest auto market. A broad-based surge saw multiple carmakers, including Leapmotor, XPeng, NIO, and Li Auto, set new monthly highs, signaling robust consumer demand despite a crowded field.
The most notable performance came from Leapmotor , which saw its monthly deliveries surpass the 60,000-unit mark for the first time. The company’s deliveries surged over 97% from a year earlier, highlighting its rapid ascent among a group of aggressive domestic challengers.
Meanwhile, a new competitive tier emerged as both XPeng Inc. and Xiaomi Automobile crossed the 40,000-unit delivery threshold, establishing themselves as high-volume players. The milestone marks a historic high for both companies and positions Xiaomi as a formidable new entrant in the market.
The sales boom was widespread, with established players NIO Inc. and Li Auto Inc. also reporting their best-ever monthly delivery figures. Their strong performance, alongside solid growth from Zeekr and Lantu, indicates a strong finish to the third quarter for China's new energy vehicle sector.
Leapmotor and Zeekr Post Blockbuster Sales
Leapmotor led the pack in September with 66,657 vehicles delivered, capping a quarter in which it also produced its one-millionth vehicle. Its C10 model remained the top-selling new energy mid-size SUV for the fourth consecutive month. The company is set to unveil its new flagship technology platform and D19 model in October, aiming to set a new benchmark for value in the luxury segment.
Zeekr Intelligent Technology Holding Ltd. also demonstrated strong momentum, delivering 51,159 units in September, an 8.5% year-over-year increase. The company has now exceeded 40,000 monthly sales for seven consecutive months. Deliveries were split between its Zeekr brand (18,257 units) and its Lynk & Co brand (32,902 units).
XPeng and Xiaomi Cross 40,000-Unit Threshold
XPeng hit a new company record, delivering 41,581 vehicles in September, a 95% increase from the prior year and a 10% rise from August. For the first nine months of 2025, XPeng's cumulative deliveries have soared 218% to 313,196 units. The company's MONA M03 model was a key contributor, with over 10,000 units delivered in the month.
Echoing XPeng's success, smartphone giant Xiaomi’s automotive arm also delivered more than 40,000 cars in September. The achievement solidifies its position as a significant new force in the competitive EV landscape just months after commencing deliveries.
NIO and Li Auto Also Set Delivery Records
Premium EV makers NIO and Li Auto continued their steady growth trajectories. NIO delivered a record 34,749 vehicles in September, up 64% year-over-year. The figures include 13,728 units from its core NIO brand, 15,246 from its mass-market Onvo brand, and 5,775 from its small-car Firefly brand.
Li Auto delivered 33,951 vehicles in September, bringing its third-quarter total to 93,211. According to Chairman and CEO Li Xiang, the company maintained its lead in the market for SUVs priced above 200,000 yuan (approximately $27,400), with year-to-date sales in the segment surpassing Tesla. Li Auto also launched its new five-seater i6 SUV and signed popular singer-actor Jackson Yee as its first brand ambassador.
Lantu and a Growing Push into Premium Tech
Lantu Auto Technology Co., Ltd., the premium EV arm of state-owned Dongfeng Motor, reported a record 15,224 deliveries, a 52% year-over-year increase. The company has posted seven consecutive months of sales above 10,000 units. Lantu is accelerating its product offensive, with new models featuring advanced technology such as 800V architecture, 5C ultra-fast charging, and Huawei's Qiankun ADS 4.0 and HarmonyOS 5 intelligent cockpit systems.
Global Expansion Accelerates with Focus on Europe
While battling for domestic market share, Chinese EV makers are also accelerating their global expansion plans, with a particular focus on localizing production in Europe. XPeng announced in September the planned opening of its first European R&D center in Munich and a partnership with Magna Steyr to produce its G6 and G9 models in Graz, Austria, with the first vehicles having already rolled off the assembly line in the third quarter.
Zeekr has also made significant international strides, entering over 60 markets. Its sister brand, Lynk & Co, recently announced its entry into the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland, expanding its European presence to 25 markets.