Leapmotor dominates automotive start-ups: Four consecutive quarters with over 100.000 deliveries
Leapmotor defies gravity: Fourth consecutive quarter with over 100,000 deliveries and a major offensive in Romania
While some traditional manufacturers are still searching for their compass in the transition to electric, the Chinese from Leapmotor seem to have found the "fuel" of success: an aggressive mix of cutting-edge technology and prices that make the competition sweat. The company officially announced that it delivered 110,155 vehicles in the first three months of 2026, marking the fourth consecutive quarter in which it exceeds the psychological threshold of 100,000 units.
With an increase of almost 26% compared to the first quarter of 2025 and a monthly record of 50,029 units in March, Leapmotor has comfortably settled into the top position among new energy vehicle (NEV) start-ups.
Plans for Domination: The "1 Million" Goal
Leapmotor is no longer content with the role of "promise." Their strategy for 2026 is of rare ambition:
- China market: The target is to reach the threshold of 1 million units sold by the end of the year.
- Exports: A more moderate, but strategic, goal of 100,000 – 150,000 units, massively supported by the partnership with the giant Stellantis.
- Product Offensive: In 2026 alone, the brand will launch 4 new models (A10, D19, A05 and D99), which are estimated to generate 60% of future sales.
This month's piece de resistance is the D19 flagship SUV, which will be officially presented on April 16. We are talking about a technological "monster" with 1000V architecture, power of up to 724 HP and latest generation Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, all aimed at redefining electric luxury at a competitive price.
Leapmotor in Romania: The Chinese "cousin" of the Stellantis group
On the local market, Leapmotor has quickly gone from curiosity to relevant player. The brand's presence in Romania is closely linked to Leapmotor International, the joint venture controlled by Stellantis (51%). This structure gives them a huge logistical and reliable advantage, using the group's already established dealer and service network.
What do Romanians find in showrooms?
- Leapmotor T03: The city "pocket-rocket" that collided head-on with the Dacia Spring. With a better-finished interior and superior technical features, the T03 became a popular alternative for the Rabla Plus program.
- Leapmotor C10: The family SUV, built on the LEAP 3.0 architecture, which focuses on safety (5 Euro NCAP stars) and generous interior space.
- Leapmotor B10: The newest entrant, a compact SUV that promises to be the main sales volume in Romania in the second half of 2026.
Market verdict: In Romania, Leapmotor benefits from the "Stellantis effect." Customers are more open to buying a new Chinese brand when they know that the warranty and maintenance are handled by the same entities that handle Peugeot or Opel.
Who is Leapmotor: From surveillance cameras to the "brain" of electric cars
For many Europeans, Leapmotor came out of nowhere, but in China, the company is seen as a technological “rebel.” Founded in 2015 in Hangzhou, the technological heart of China, the brand’s story began not in a traditional car factory, but in electronics laboratories.
Its founder, Zhu Jiangming, is an electronics engineer with over 30 years of experience, previously co-founder of the giant Dahua Technology (one of the world leaders in video surveillance systems). This legacy explains why Leapmotor is not just a car assembler, but a tech company:
- In-house development: Unlike many rivals, Leapmotor designs and manufactures approximately 60-70% of its components itself, including electric propulsion systems, control chips, and software architecture.
- CTC (Cell-to-Chassis) innovation: They were among the first in the world to implement technology whereby the battery is integrated directly into the chassis structure, eliminating separate modules to reduce weight and increase interior space.
The turning point for the brand occurred at the end of 2023, when Stellantis (the conglomerate that owns brands such as Jeep, Fiat or Peugeot) invested 1.5 billion euros to take over 21% of the company.
The result was the creation of Leapmotor International, a joint venture controlled by Stellantis (51%), which holds the exclusive rights to sell and even manufacture the brand's cars outside of China. This strategic move gave Leapmotor the "passport" to Europe, benefiting from the logistics and service network of a global automotive giant. In Romania, this translates into the brand's presence under the umbrella of AutoItalia, an importer with over 30 years of experience on the local market.
Did you know? The brand's first model launched in 2019 wasn't an SUV, but a compact electric coupé called the S01, meant to prove that electric cars can be fun, not just utilitarian. Today, the brand has matured, shifting its focus to the volume segments that dominate the sales rankings.
The future sounds electric (and affordable)
Leapmotor's success confirms a clear trend: buyers are no longer loyal to just the logo on the hood, but are looking for raw technological value. With the launch of the Ultra version of the Lafa 5 (B05) model later this month (developed with the help of European engineers from Stellantis), the brand shows that it is ready to adapt to our tastes, not just import models from China.
If the pace continues, 2026 could be the year in which Leapmotor not only delivers record numbers, but also becomes a daily presence on the streets of Bucharest, Cluj or Timi?oara.