Leapmotor breaks 100,000 milestone: Stellantis stake pays off

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor doubled its sales in 2025 according to Fraunhofer ISI and became the second new Chinese automaker to reach one million vehicles in production. The strategic partnership with the Stellantis Group gives the company direct access to the European market and sets Leapmotor apart from many Chinese competitors.

Growth accelerates to 344 percent in January 2026

Following an already strong 2025 with a doubling of sales figures, Leapmotor posted further gains in January 2026: growth accelerated to 344 percent compared to the same month of the previous year. This allowed the company to outpace other rising Chinese manufacturers such as XPeng, which recorded a plus of 250 percent in the same month.

The absolute figures underpin the upward trend: in 2024, Leapmotor delivered nearly 293,000 vehicles. In November 2025, the company reached a monthly record with 70,327 delivered vehicles (including domestic and export sales). As early as September 2025, Leapmotor had set a milestone with 66,657 deliveries, representing a 17 percent increase compared to the previous month of August.

Second new Chinese manufacturer to reach million-unit production

Leapmotor became the second new Chinese automaker to reach one million vehicles in production. This milestone underscores the rapid scaling of manufacturing capacity and growing market acceptance. Compared to established competitors such as BYD or new brands like Xiaomi, which posted a sales increase of 190 percent in 2025, Leapmotor positions itself in the upper growth segment of the Chinese electric vehicle industry.

Stellantis partnership as gateway to Europe

Stellantis' stake in Leapmotor gives the Chinese manufacturer a strategic advantage in entering European markets. In Germany, Leapmotor is available through a network of approximately 150 BYD dealers and major automotive retail groups. According to market observers, the company thereby has "strategically the best current access to the European market" among Chinese manufacturers.

The dynamics are particularly evident in Switzerland: after only about 16 months since market entry, Leapmotor had already delivered 1,000 vehicles to customers. This rapid market penetration in a demanding European market indicates strong product acceptance and efficient distribution structures.

Strategic positioning in global competition

While the Chinese electric vehicle market is increasingly consolidating and smaller manufacturers face pressure, Leapmotor benefits from the Stellantis connection. The partnership enables not only access to distribution channels but potentially also to technological know-how and economies of scale in production.

The growth figures from January 2026 show that Leapmotor continues to gain momentum in an increasingly competitive environment. For Stellantis shareholders, the stake in the Chinese manufacturer could prove strategically valuable, particularly if Leapmotor expands its European position further while simultaneously expanding in its home market of China.

Outlook: growth trajectory under observation

Leapmotor faces the challenge of maintaining its high growth pace while scaling profitably. European expansion presents both opportunities and risks: while the Stellantis partnership provides market access, Chinese manufacturers in Europe face regulatory hurdles and potential tariffs. The coming quarters will show whether Leapmotor can convert the triple-digit growth rates of January 2026 into sustained market success.