China’s Auto Market Sees Some Automakers Break Records While Others Lose Ground
In October 2026, Chinese automakers showed divergent sales dynamics. According to CnEVPost, Xpeng, Leapmotor and Xiaomi increased vehicle deliveries, while Nio, Li Auto and the Huawei automotive alliance faced declines.
Market leader BYD sold 490.2 thousand new energy vehicles, 11% more than a year earlier. The brand’s electric vehicle sales exceeded 300 thousand units for the first time in a month.
Xpeng set a record by delivering 50.2 thousand vehicles (+19.6%). Leapmotor increased deliveries by 51%, to 106.1 thousand vehicles. Xiaomi also surpassed the 50 thousand vehicle mark.
At the same time, Nio’s deliveries fell by 15.2%, to 34.2 thousand vehicles, while Li Auto’s declined by 8.6%, to 29 thousand. The most substantial drop was recorded by the Huawei HIMA alliance: its result fell by 50.8%, to 33.5 thousand vehicles.
October’s results indicate intensifying competition among Chinese manufacturers of electrified vehicles.
