While Tesla and BYD dominated headlines last year, Hangzhou-based Leapmotor quietly became China's top EV startup in 2025 – proving slow and steady sometimes wins the race. With 328% annual growth reported this week, this tech-first automaker is rewriting the rules of China's cutthroat electric vehicle market.
Battery Tech Breakthroughs 🔋
Insiders credit Leapmotor's success to its 'cell-to-chassis' battery systems, which reduced production costs by 40% compared to 2024 models. Their C01 sedan now boasts 800km range – matching premium rivals at mid-range prices.
Global Expansion Mode 🌏
Fresh off their 2025 domestic victory, Leapmotor plans European market entry this spring. CEO Zhu Jiangming tells NewspaperAmigo: 'We're not just building cars – we're creating mobility ecosystems.' The company recently partnered with AI giant SenseTime to develop autonomous delivery vehicles.
What's Next? 🚀
Analysts predict Leapmotor could challenge NIO and Xpeng in premium segments by late 2026. With their stock up 78% since January 2025, this dark horse proves innovation beats hype in China's EV revolution.
