Revealed: The Top 5 Chinese EV Startups of 2025 - A Fierce Battle for Dominance

As the calendar turned to 2026, China's electric vehicle startups unveiled their final scorecards for a tumultuous 2025. The year was marked by blistering growth, strategic global pushes, and the relentless expansion of product portfolios. Here is how the top five contenders ranked by annual deliveries performed in the race for new energy supremacy.

1. Leapmotor: The High-Speed Challenger

Leapmotor accelerated into the top spot with annual deliveries soaring 103% to 597,000 vehicles. December alone saw over 60,000 units delivered, capping a year where it became the second startup to achieve the one-millionth vehicle roll-off milestone. Its financial engine also hummed, posting a cumulative net profit of RMB 180 million (approximately USD 26,000) across three consecutive profitable quarters. With a blitz of new models like the B10 and Lafa5, and a footprint now spanning Hong Kong, Leapmotor is charging toward an ambitious 2026 target of one million deliveries.

2. Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance: The Ecosystem Powerhouse

The Huawei-backed alliance delivered a total of 589,107 vehicles in 2025, a 32% yearly increase. Its crown jewel, the AITO brand, shouldered the majority, accounting for roughly 70% of the total with about 420,000 deliveries. The HIMA set a blistering pace, shattering the record to reach one million cumulative deliveries in just 32 months in November of 2025. Evolving from a single brand to a full "five realms" ecosystem—AITO, Luxeed, Stelato, Meatro, and SAIC—it has completed a strategic leap into a comprehensive tech and mobility alliance.

3. XPeng: The Global Tech Pioneer

XPeng's full-year deliveries surged 126% to 429,445 units, fueled by a 96% spike in overseas sales to 45,008 vehicles. By year-end, its global presence expanded to 60 countries and regions. A key strategic move was breaking ground on its third overseas manufacturing base in Malaysia, solidifying its commitment to localized production and international growth alongside its advances in flying car technology through its subsidiary, Aridge.

4. Li Auto: The Steady Volume Leader

While its annual delivery figure wasn't separately emphasized, Li Auto cemented its position by surpassing 1.5 million cumulative deliveries, becoming the first domestic startup to hit that landmark. In 2025, it delivered 44,246 vehicles in December and 109,194 in Q4. Under CEO Li Xiang's leadership, the brand expanded its EREV lineup into new markets across Central Asia and Africa. For 2026, Li Auto is pivoting its focus toward embodied AI, aiming to transform its vehicles into more proactive intelligent companions.

5. Xiaomi Auto: The Disruptive Newcomer

In a stunning debut year, Xiaomi Auto roared past its initial targets, delivering over 400,000 vehicles and achieving 116% of its sales goal. December shipments exceeded 50,000 units. Having easily surpassed its 350,000-unit goal ahead of schedule, the tech giant has confidently set its sights on 550,000 deliveries for 2026. Its rapid scale-up poses a significant disruptive threat to the established competitive order.

The final rankings of 2025 paint a picture of a dynamic and multi-faceted battlefield. As these leaders pour resources into new technology, global footprints, and expansive product lines, the stage is set for an even more intense contest in 2026.

*(Exchange rate: RMB 7.0 = USD 1)*