As the second quarter draws to a close, vehicle deliveries across China’s auto industry have largely returned to a more stable trajectory. Several brands posted record-breaking delivery figures, while others managed to maintain solid sales performance despite mounting competitive pressure. Among them, Zeekr set another all-time high, while Leapmotor became the first Chinese EV startup to surpass the 80,000-unit monthly delivery mark. NIO, Xpeng and Li Auto all launched major new models during May, keeping them firmly in the spotlight. NIO in particular has demonstrated notable momentum as market preference increasingly shifts toward battery-electric vehicles. Here’s a closer look at which automakers stayed ahead of the pack in May. NIO Inc. NIO Inc. delivered 37,705 vehicles in May, up about 28.4% from April and 62.3% year-on-year. The NIO brand delivered 20,013 vehicles, ONVO delivered 12,029 units, and firefly delivered 5,663 units. NIO Inc delivery data in May 2026 According to the company, deliveries at all three brands increased year-on-year, with growth rates of 50.8%, 91.5%, and 53.9%, respectively. In May, NIO Inc. launched two flagship large SUVs: the all-electric five-seat ONVO L80 and the NIO ES9. According to vehicle industry platform CarFans’ 72-hour launch tracking report, the ES9 attracted a significantly higher proportion of entirely new customers, while existing NIO owners accounted for 35% of purchases. Firefly continued its steady progress, surpassing the milestone of 60,000 cumulative deliveries in May. According to NIO’s plans, the firefly lineup will not expand significantly in the near term, instead reinforcing its distinctive brand identity through limited-edition special models. With refreshed versions of the L90 and L60 scheduled to launch on June 11 and the L80 strengthening NIO’s presence in the large-SUV segment, June is shaping up to be a critical month for the company. Whether the L80 and ES9 can become NIO’s next major growth drivers in 2026 remains to be seen. Li Auto Li Auto delivered 33,350 vehicles in May, down approximately 0.2% from April and 18.3% year-on-year. May marked one of Li Auto’s most important milestones of 2026. Li Auto delivery data in May 2026 The four-year-old L9 flagship entered a new generation, introducing an 800V active suspension system and a 5C range-extender platform. However, Li Auto now faces a dramatically different competitive landscape. Revenue and profitability have both come under pressure during the seasonal slowdown, while the premium “9 Series” SUV segment has become increasingly crowded. Regaining the dominant position once enjoyed by the original L9 will be challenging. Looking ahead to June, the more significant launch may be the repositioned next-generation L8, which transitions from a “smaller L9” to a large five-seat SUV. As the company’s extended-range lineup enters a new generation, the question is whether deliveries and revenue can achieve another breakthrough. Xpeng Xpeng delivered 32,158 vehicles in May, up about 3.6% month-on-month and 7.4% year-on-year. Xpeng delivery data in May 2026 May also saw the launch of Xpeng’s first full-size three-row SUV, the GX, which entered the mainstream large-SUV segment with a limited-time starting price of RMB 269,800 ($39,800). Company data showed the GX received 24,863 firm orders within 12 hours of launch, with CEO He Xiaopeng stating that flagship variants accounted for roughly 80% of orders. Meanwhile, the highly successful MONA family is preparing to welcome two new members: the L03 and L05. These SUV models are expected to build on the popularity and reputation of the MONA M03, further supporting brand growth. Leapmotor Leapmotor delivered 81,569 vehicles in May, up 81% year-on-year and 14.2% from April. It became the first Chinese EV startup to surpass the 80,000-unit monthly delivery threshold. Leapmotor delivery data in May 2026 According to the company, the C11, C16 and C10 will soon enter a product refresh cycle, accompanied by substantial exterior redesigns. Leaked information suggests the updated C16 will also grow in both overall length and wheelbase. In addition, the D99, another flagship model built on Leapmotor’s D platform, is approaching its launch phase. The vehicle is expected to fill a gap in Leapmotor’s product portfolio and could offer pricing surprises similar to those delivered by the D19. Following this broad product refresh, the key question is whether Leapmotor can continue accelerating toward its long-term goal of selling one million vehicles annually worldwide. Zeekr After setting a record in April, Zeekr delivered 34,377 vehicles in May, up about 8.1% month-on-month and 81.8% year-on-year, establishing yet another all-time high. Zeekr delivery data in May 2026 In addition to achieving both month-on-month and year-on-year growth for four consecutive months, the company said its 9 Series and 8 Series models accounted for nearly 50% of deliveries, while average transaction prices rose 52.4% from a year earlier. Deliveries of the Zeekr 8X reached 5,757 units in May. Meanwhile, cumulative deliveries of the Zeekr 9X surpassed 60,000 units. The company claims the model now commands roughly 30% of China’s premium vehicle market priced above RMB 500,000 ($73,800), with overseas deliveries planned for the third quarter. Automotive blogger MOTO SenSen noted that Zeekr’s overseas sales averaged around 2,000 units per month during January-April. The international rollout of the 9X could further strengthen those figures. It is increasingly clear that Zeekr has found its footing in the premium luxury SUV segment. As the next-generation Li Auto L9 and AITO M9 enter the market, whether Zeekr can maintain leadership in the RMB 500,000-plus category remains an open question. Xiaomi EV Like April, Xiaomi EV reported May deliveries of “more than 30,000 units.” Compared with 28,013 vehicles delivered in the same period last year, sales continued to grow. Xiaomi EV delivery data in May 2026 June will mark the first full delivery month for both the YU7 GT and the standard YU7, priced from RMB 389,900 ($57,500) and RMB 233,500 ($34,400), respectively. The YU7 GT pushes further into the performance, handling and luxury space, while the standard YU7 adopts a smaller 73kWh battery pack to lower pricing while retaining most other configurations. The company has also updated June purchase incentives, largely extending the promotional benefits introduced in May, including complimentary optional equipment packages. Based on CPCA data for January-April and Xiaomi’s official May figures, cumulative deliveries from January through May likely exceeded 150,000 vehicles, representing about 27.2% of its annual target of 550,000 units. To move closer to — or potentially exceed — its annual objective, Xiaomi likely needs monthly sales to return to the 40,000-50,000-unit range. Voyah Voyah delivered 13,003 vehicles in May, down about 14.1% from April but up 29.7% year-on-year. Total deliveries for January-May reached 62,041 vehicles, representing 35% growth. Voyah’s large five-seat SUV, the Taishan X8, has already launched, entering the segment with a starting price of RMB 292,900 ($43,200) and a body length exceeding 5.2 meters. According to company data, cumulative orders have surpassed 40,000 units, though the number of locked-in orders has not yet been disclosed. Another key five-seat SUV, the Voyah Zhuguang S, is also entering its pre-launch marketing phase. Unlike the Taishan X8, the Zhuguang S adopts a more youthful and performance-oriented positioning. Whether youth-focused branding can become Voyah’s next growth engine remains to be seen. IM Motor IM Motor delivered 10,023 vehicles in May, up 0.06% from April and approximately 128.5% year-on-year. Sales during the first five months of the year increased 115%. IM Motor delivery data in May 2026 As model-level sales rankings for May have yet to be released, the performance of the IM LS8 during its first full delivery month remains unclear. Beyond the LS8, the LS6 remains a major volume contributor, while the flagship LS9 has yet to achieve a significant breakthrough. For now, IM appears focused on steady execution through updates to existing products rather than launching major new additions to its lineup. Huawei-backed HIMA Huawei-backed Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) delivered 46,122 vehicles in May, up 41% from April and approximately 3.2% year-on-year. AITO contributed 34,320 units, up 48% month-on-month and remaining HIMA’s primary sales pillar. HIMA delivery data in May 2026 The alliance launched multiple new models in May, including the Luxeed V9 and the next-generation AITO M9. According to official figures, the former secured more than 10,500 firm orders within 48 hours, while the latter surpassed 20,000 firm orders within 24 hours. Going forward, HIMA is expected to further explore new opportunities across its various brands. Reports suggest Stelato may launch its first boxy SUV this year, while Maextro is developing a large SUV known as the V800. These initiatives indicate growing interest in premium niche segments and a broader effort to sharpen the positioning of individual brands. Geely Galaxy According to Geely Automobile’s May sales report, Geely Galaxy sold 81,727 vehicles, down 20% year-on-year and 10.1% from April. Geely Galaxy delivery data in May 2026 Interestingly, despite rapid growth in China’s pure-electric market, Geely’s battery-electric vehicle sales declined 19% year-on-year, while plug-in hybrid sales rose 32%. Meanwhile, the Geely Galaxy Xingyao 7 MAX received more than 10,000 firm orders within 23 hours of launch, potentially setting the stage for strong June performance. Chery New Energy According to Chery Group’s latest sales report, the company sold 100,304 new-energy vehicles in May, up 58.8% year-on-year and roughly in line with April levels. Chery delivery data in May 2026 The group also recorded export sales of 181,871 vehicles, up 80.5% year-on-year. Global cumulative users exceeded 19.62 million, including 6.59 million overseas customers. Arcfox BAIC Arcfox sold 17,943 vehicles in May, up 32.82% year-on-year and 8.5% from April. BAIC Arcfox delivery data in May 2026 The brand’s sales are currently driven primarily by entry-level models such as the T1 and Alpha S5. In May, Arcfox strengthened its portfolio with the launch of the Arcfox Wendao V9 and Beta S3. The former targets the premium market, while the latter lowers the entry price to below RMB 60,000 ($8,900) through a battery-leasing model. According to company figures, the Arcfox Beta S3 received more than 10,000 firm orders within two hours of launch. If those orders translate into stable deliveries, it could mark a major breakthrough for the brand. Hyptec-Aion Business Unit Hyptec-Aion sold 33,140 vehicles in May, up 23.76% year-on-year but down approximately 10.8% from April. The company said it has now delivered positive year-on-year growth for several consecutive months. Hyptec-Aion BU delivery data in May 2026 Its product lineup targeting retail consumers is gradually taking shape. The i60 has exceeded 10,000 monthly sales for several months and is establishing a stable sales base, while the N60 continues to gain market traction. In May, Hyptec also unveiled the S600, with a pre-sale incentive price starting at RMB 188,900 ($27,900). The model is available with both extended-range and battery-electric powertrains and features Momenta’s reinforcement-learning foundation model across the range. The S600 is expected to play a central role in Hyptec-Aion’s efforts to move further upmarket. BYD BYD passenger vehicle sales reached 376,990 units in May, up about 20% from April and 8.2% year-on-year. BYD delivery data in May 2026 Even more impressive was the company’s overseas performance. BYD sold 160,177 passenger vehicles and pickups abroad, representing year-on-year growth of 80.7%. Supported by its second-generation battery technology, Flash Charging Technology 2.0, and new flash-charging-equipped models such as the Ti 7 Flash-Charge Edition and Ti 3 Flash-Charge Edition, BYD has achieved a rapid sales recovery in the short term. However, compared with its peak performance in the fourth quarter of 2024 — when monthly sales averaged more than 480,000 vehicles — there remains a measurable gap.
