Leapmotor shattered its own monthly record in May 2026, delivering 81,569 vehicles — the first time the Stellantis-backed Chinese EV startup has crossed the 80,000-unit threshold. The figure represents an 80.99% year-on-year increase and a 14.26% month-on-month gain, making Leapmotor the fastest-growing brand among China’s major new energy vehicle startups.
According to the company’s official delivery report, the May result marks the second consecutive month of record-breaking performance, following a strong April that already set a new high-water mark. Leapmotor has now delivered more than 360,000 vehicles year-to-date through May, putting it on track to potentially exceed 900,000 units for the full year 2026.
Key Models Driving Growth
The C10 and C16 SUVs remain Leapmotor’s volume leaders, with the C10 appealing to families seeking a mid-size electric SUV at competitive price points and the C16 offering three-row seating. Leapmotor’s value proposition — delivering EV technology and features comparable to premium brands at roughly 30-40% lower prices — continues to resonate in China’s increasingly cost-conscious market.
Per Gasgoo reporting, Leapmotor plans to launch two additional models — the A10 and D19 — later in 2026, further expanding a lineup that already covers the compact crossover through mid-size SUV segments. The company’s EREV (extended-range electric vehicle) variants have been particularly successful, accounting for roughly half of total deliveries and helping Leapmotor win over buyers who remain concerned about charging infrastructure in lower-tier cities.
Stellantis Partnership Deepens
The record sales come as Leapmotor’s partnership with Stellantis continues to deepen. In early May 2026, Stellantis and Leapmotor announced an expanded joint venture that includes adding a production line at Stellantis’s Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, Spain, for an Opel-branded C-segment electric SUV. Leapmotor also plans to produce its C10-based B10 model at the same facility, potentially starting as early as late 2026.
This manufacturing expansion complements Leapmotor’s existing export strategy through Stellantis’s global distribution network. Leapmotor vehicles are already sold in over 15 European markets through Stellantis dealerships, giving the brand a ready-made retail footprint that most Chinese EV startups lack.
What’s Next
With monthly volumes now comfortably above 80,000, Leapmotor is increasingly mentioned alongside established players like BYD and Tesla in China’s domestic market. The company faces the challenge of scaling its supply chain to match demand while maintaining its signature value pricing. The upcoming A10 compact crossover — expected to start below ¥100,000 (about $13,900) — could open an even larger addressable market. International expansion through Stellantis will be critical for sustaining growth rates as the Chinese domestic market becomes increasingly saturated.
