September 2025 has been a wild ride for Chinese New Energy Vehicle (NEV) startups, and as October rolls in, we have a clear picture of who’s leading the charge. Leapmotor absolutely dominated the sales charts, followed closely by Xpeng and Li Auto. These players are not just selling cars, they’re rewriting the rules of the automotive game.
Leapmotor Leaps Ahead with Record-Breaking Sales
Leapmotor isn’t just winning, it’s setting new benchmarks. They delivered a staggering 66,657 vehicles in September, cruising past the 60,000 unit mark for the first time ever. This isn’t a one-off success story either, as Leapmotor has held the top spot among Chinese NEV startups for seven consecutive months. It’s pure dominance. Just last week, their one millionth vehicle rolled off the production line, a feat achieved in just 343 days since their half-millionth unit. Expect more from them, too, as the flagship D19 SUV is set to debut in October. Talk about momentum!
Xpeng’s Aggressive Growth and European Expansion
Xpeng snagged the second spot with 41,581 vehicles delivered, marking a phenomenal 95% year-on-year increase and a 10% jump from the previous month. They’re clearly on a growth spurt, with cumulative deliveries hitting 313,196 vehicles from January to September this year, a massive 218% increase year-on-year. The Xpeng Mona M03 is proving to be a crowd-pleaser, selling over 10,000 units in September and pushing its cumulative sales past 180,000. And a little fun fact: the 10,000th unit of the all-new Xpeng P7 was built at a blistering pace of 40 units per hour. Beyond their domestic success, Xpeng is also making serious moves globally, expanding into five new European territories: Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia.
Li Auto’s Steady Ascent with New Offerings
Li Auto secured the third position, delivering 33,951 vehicles in September. Their third-quarter performance was strong, with 93,211 vehicles delivered, bringing their total historical deliveries to an impressive 1,431,021 units. The latest buzz from Li Auto is the Li i6 five-seater SUV, which launched on September 26 and has already started deliveries. This new addition is sure to keep Li Auto’s sales trajectory pointed upwards, building on their reputation for delivering compelling NEVs to the Chinese market.
The Broader Picture: More Players in the EV Race
While Leapmotor, Xpeng, and Li Auto took the top three spots, other notable startups are also making their mark. Arcfox sold 16,074 units, followed by Voyah with 15,224, and IM Motors with 11,107. The competition is fierce, and innovation is rampant. The Chinese NEV market is a dynamic space, constantly evolving with new models, expanded market reach, and relentless pursuit of efficiency and performance.
This September sales report reaffirms the incredible momentum in China’s NEV sector. Startups are not just surviving, they’re thriving, constantly pushing boundaries and expanding their global footprint. It’s an exciting time to be an EV enthusiast, and we can’t wait to see what these automakers cook up next.
