The September 2025 NEV Showdown: Leapmotor Leads, Xpeng and Li Auto Follow

September 2025 proved to be another dynamic month in China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market, with startup brands unveiling their sales figures. While the competition remains fierce, Leapmotor once again solidified its position at the top, followed by Xpeng and Li Auto.

Leapmotor’s Record-Breaking Run

Leapmotor truly outdid itself in September, achieving an all-time high with 66,657 deliveries. This marks the first time the company has surpassed the 60,000-unit threshold and sets a new record for monthly deliveries among Chinese NEV startups. This stellar performance extends Leapmotor’s lead to seven consecutive months, showcasing remarkable consistency in a rapidly evolving market. Just last week, the company celebrated a significant milestone: its one millionth production vehicle rolled off the assembly line. It only took 343 days for Leapmotor to go from half a million to a million units, a testament to its accelerated production capabilities (Leapmotor hits the million mark). Looking ahead, enthusiasts can anticipate the debut of Leapmotor’s flagship D19 SUV in October.

Xpeng’s Impressive Growth Trajectory

Coming in second, Xpeng posted strong results with 41,581 vehicles delivered. This represents a substantial 95% year-on-year increase and a 10% month-on-month bump, establishing a new personal best for the brand. From January to September of this year, Xpeng’s cumulative deliveries hit 313,196 units, a staggering 218% increase over the previous year. A key player in Xpeng’s success was the Mona M03, which sold over 10,000 units in September, bringing its total sales to a remarkable 180,000 units. The all-new Xpeng P7 also hit a production milestone, with its 10,000th unit rolling off the line, becoming the fastest Xpeng model to reach a production rate of 40 units per hour. Furthermore, Xpeng made headlines by announcing its expansion into five new European markets, including Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia (Xpeng accelerates European expansion).

Li Auto Maintains Strong Performance

Securing the third spot, Li Auto delivered 33,951 vehicles in September. The third quarter of 2025 saw Li Auto deliver a total of 93,211 vehicles, pushing its cumulative historical deliveries past the 1.4 million mark to 1,431,021 units. The brand recently introduced the Li i6 five-seater SUV to the Chinese market on September 26, with deliveries already underway (Li Auto’s latest EV contender).

The Broader Picture: September NEV Startup Sales Ranking

Here’s a quick look at the top-performing Chinese NEV startups for September, based on available data as of October 1, 2025:

These numbers highlight the dynamic and competitive nature of the Chinese NEV market. With innovative products and strategic expansions, these startups continue to push the boundaries of electric mobility.