The results from China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) startup sales race are in for October, and the competition is as fierce as ever. While established giants wrestle for market share, the startup scene offers a dynamic look at who’s capturing the imagination of Chinese buyers. This month, Leapmotor solidified its top-dog status, with Huawei’s HIMA and a consistent Xpeng battling for the remaining podium spots. Let’s dive into the numbers.
Here’s how the top Chinese NEV startups stacked up in October:
| Ranking | NEV Startup | October Sales |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leapmotor | 70,289 |
| 2 | HIMA | 68,216 |
| 3 | Xpeng | 42,013 |
| 4 | Nio | 40,397 |
| 5 | Xiaomi | 40,000+ |
| 6 | Deepal | 36,792 |
| 7 | Li Auto | 31,767 |
| 8 | Voyah | 17,218 |
| 9 | Avatr | 13,506 |
| 10 | IM Motors | 13,159 |
Leapmotor’s Unstoppable Momentum
Leapmotor isn’t just leading, it’s accelerating away from the pack. The company smashed its own records in October, delivering 70,289 vehicles. This marks the first time it has crossed the 70,000 threshold and represents a staggering 84% year-on-year increase. For eight straight months, Leapmotor has dominated the Chinese NEV startup sales charts, proving its strategy is connecting with consumers.
The company is keeping its foot on the gas. The Leapmotor D19 EREV crossover just opened for pre-sale on November 1. It will be followed swiftly by the Leapmotor B05 (known as Lafa 5 in China) on November 7. Later in the month, the all-new Leapmotor A10 is set to debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show, signaling that the product offensive is far from over.
HIMA’s Premium Push Pays Off
HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance), the automotive brand backed by tech giant Huawei, also celebrated a record month. With 68,216 vehicles delivered, HIMA is demonstrating serious gravity in the premium segment, boasting an average transaction price of 390,000 yuan (about 54,800 USD). This achievement helped HIMA sail past one million cumulative sales, making it the fastest startup to hit this major milestone. The brand, which includes the popular Aito lineup, shows how a tech-forward approach can build a loyal following. You can read more about one of its popular models, the Aito M8, to see what makes it tick.
Xpeng Holds Strong and Expands
Xpeng continues to prove its resilience, delivering 42,013 vehicles in October. This is a solid 76% increase year-on-year and the second month in a row the company has sold over 40,000 units. For the first 10 months of 2025, Xpeng has delivered 355,209 vehicles, a massive 190% jump from the previous year.
The company is also looking beyond China, launching in seven new countries in October alone: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Cambodia, Morocco, Tunisia, and Qatar. This global expansion is a clear sign of its ambitions.
The rest of the field, including heavy hitters like Nio, Xiaomi, and Li Auto, along with strong performers like Deepal, continue to fight for position in this incredibly crowded market. The pace of innovation and competition shows no signs of slowing down, making the Chinese EV space one of the most exciting in the world.
