The Numbers Behind the Surge
Leapmotor's April performance was not a one-off spike. The company has now delivered 181,542 vehicles in the first four months of 2026, up 41 % over the same period last year, according to CnEVPost. Cumulative deliveries since inception have crossed 1.37 million units — a milestone that puts Leapmotor firmly in the top tier of China's EV startups.
The growth is being driven by an aggressive product offensive. Since late March, Leapmotor has launched three new models. The flagship D19 large SUV, unveiled on April 16, racked up more than 15,000 firm orders in its first 15 days on sale. Priced from 219,800 yuan (approximately €28,500), the D19 undercuts comparably sized European electric SUVs by a wide margin. The compact A10, which starts at just 65,800 yuan (around €8,500), is already being produced at a rate exceeding 1,000 units per day.
Those prices are worth pausing on. Even after shipping, tariffs, and European homologation costs, Leapmotor's cost base is so low that it can price its vehicles at levels that make life deeply uncomfortable for the Volkswagen ID. family, the Renault Megane E-Tech, and even the MG ZS EV.
Why Europe Should Pay Attention
Leapmotor is not just another Chinese brand content to dominate its home market. Its strategic goal is to push overseas sales to 60 % of total volume — a remarkably ambitious target for a company that only began exporting in earnest two years ago. Europe is the obvious prize: the world's second-largest EV market, with mature charging infrastructure and buyers increasingly open to non-traditional brands.
The route in runs through Stellantis. The Franco-Italian-American giant holds a significant stake in Leapmotor and already handles distribution of the T03 city car in several European markets. More importantly, Stellantis is preparing its Zaragoza plant in Spain to build Leapmotor-branded vehicles, allowing the Chinese company to sidestep EU anti-subsidy tariffs that currently exceed 45 % for some imports.
The first product from that line is expected to be the B10, a compact SUV developed jointly with Stellantis and priced to undercut most Western rivals. If April's production ramp is any indication, Leapmotor will have no shortage of capacity to feed both Chinese and European demand.
A Product Barrage, Not a Trickle
Beyond the D19 and A10, Leapmotor unveiled the Lafa 5 Ultra at the Beijing Auto Show on April 24, with a limited-time starting price of 118,800 yuan (about €15,400). An all-new A05 electric hatchback is set to debut in May and go on sale in June. The company's CEO has publicly stated that, based on current order momentum, Leapmotor is highly confident of hitting its 1 million unit target for 2026.
To put that in context, 1 million annual sales would place Leapmotor ahead of brands like BMW or Mercedes-Benz in global EV volume. It would also make the company one of the largest EV producers on the planet, trailing only BYD and Tesla.
There is even a second brand in the works. Leapmotor reportedly plans to launch a premium marque in 2027 targeting vehicles priced above 300,000 yuan (roughly €39,000), a segment where profit margins are thicker and brand perception matters more than sheer value.
The European Challenge
Volume and low prices are not guarantees of success. Leapmotor will still need to convince European buyers that its vehicles can match Western rivals on Euro NCAP safety, WLTP range accuracy, and after-sales support. The T03 has received decent reviews for its price point, but the B10 and subsequent models will face stiffer competition from the Kia EV3, Hyundai Kona Electric, and a wave of refreshed European compact SUVs.
Stellantis's involvement helps. The group's dealer network spans the continent, and its experience with homologation, servicing, and warranty claims will smooth Leapmotor's entry. But there is a risk for Stellantis, too: if Leapmotor's value proposition proves too strong, it could cannibalise sales of the Peugeot e-2008, Opel Mokka-e, and other small SUVs in the group's own stable.
That tension is already visible. Stellantis is simultaneously developing an Opel-badged electric SUV using Leapmotor technology, also slated for Zaragoza production. The message is clear: if you cannot beat the Chinese cost structure, borrow it.
What the April Record Really Means
Leapmotor's 71,387 deliveries in April are not just a monthly sales trophy. They are proof that the company has solved the manufacturing scalability problem that has tripped up so many EV startups. With daily output of the A10 alone exceeding 1,000 units, Leapmotor is operating at a scale that allows genuine economies of scale — the kind that make €25,000 electric SUVs financially viable.
For European automakers still wrestling with the profitability of their own EV lines, that is an uncomfortable reality. The question is no longer whether Leapmotor will arrive in force. It is whether Europe's legacy brands can match its pace before the Zaragoza plant starts shipping.
When will Leapmotor start building cars in Europe?
Stellantis plans to begin producing Leapmotor vehicles at its Zaragoza plant in Spain later this year. The first model is expected to be the B10 compact SUV, which will avoid EU import tariffs by being manufactured inside the bloc.
How does Leapmotor's pricing compare to European rivals?
Leapmotor's Chinese domestic prices start at around €8,500 for the A10 compact SUV and €28,500 for the flagship D19. Even after European homologation, shipping, and margin adjustments, the brand is expected to undercut similarly sized Western EVs by several thousand euros.
Is Leapmotor only focused on budget EVs?
No. While the current lineup emphasises value, Leapmotor is reportedly preparing a second premium brand for 2027 targeting vehicles above €39,000. The company also supplies EV platforms to other manufacturers, including Hongqi, through its technical partnership with Stellantis.
Source: https://cnevpost.com/2026/05/01/leapmotor-delivers-record-71387-cars-april-2026/