China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market remained dynamic in May 2025, with several automakers posting strong year-on-year growth despite some monthly fluctuations. BYD retained a commanding lead, while Geely, Leapmotor, and Xpeng recorded the highest year-on-year gains, doubling their May 2024 volumes. The rankings also reflect increasing competition among legacy automakers, startups, and tech-backed brands.
| Rank | Brand | May Sales | MoM Change | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BYD | 376,930 | +1.2% | +14.1% |
| 2 | Geely Group¹ | 138,021 | +9.9% | +135.2% |
| 3 | Leapmotor | 45,067 | +9.8% | +148.1% |
| 4 | Harmony Mobility² | 44,454 | — | — |
| 5 | Li Auto | 40,856 | +20.4% | +16.7% |
| 6 | Xpeng | 33,525 | –4.3% | +230.4% |
| 7 | Great Wall Motors | 32,638 | +13.3% | +32.1% |
| 8 | Xiaomi | ~28,000 | ≈0% | — |
| 9 | GAC Aion | 26,777 | –5.4% | –33.2% |
| 10 | Deepal | 25,521 | +26.7% | +77.6% |
| 11 | Nio Group³ | 23,231 | –2.8% | +13.1% |
| 12 | Avatr | 12,767 | +9.3% | +179.4% |
| 13 | Voyah | 10,022 | +0.03% | +121.7% |
Includes Geely Galaxy, Lynk & Co NEVs, and Zeekr.
Harmony Mobility includes Aito, Luxeed, and Stellaris models.
Includes Nio, Firefly, and Onvo
BYD maintains leadership
BYD reported NEV sales of 376,930 units in May, reflecting a 14.1% increase compared to last year and a 1.2% gain from April. The company has sold 1,735,643 vehicles year-to-date, up 37% over the first five months of 2024. Its Dynasty and Ocean series remain central to BYD’s dominance in the market.
Geely Group demonstrates strong performance
Geely sold 138,021 NEVs in May, a 135.2% jump year-on-year and 9.9% higher than in April. The Galaxy series led with 101,845 units, Lynk & Co delivered 17,268 units, and Zeekr contributed 18,908. Total NEV sales for the group reached 602,784 units through May, up 137.1% year-on-year. Despite being part of the Geely Group, Zeekr continues to operate under its own branding and sales network.
Leapmotor delivers rapid growth
Leapmotor delivered 45,067 units in May, up 148.1% from a year ago. By the end of May, the brand’s total deliveries for 2025 reached 173,658 units, representing a 160.8% increase. Key models such as the C11 have resonated with consumers seeking advanced features at accessible prices.
Huawei-backed Harmony Intelligent Mobility scales up
Harmony Intelligent Mobility, backed by Huawei, delivered 44,454 NEVs in May. The Aito M9 was the top seller with 15,481 units, followed by the M8 (12,116 units), M5 Ultra (4,889 units), and M7 (4,139 units). The Luxeed R7 added 5,124 units, while the newly launched Stelato S9 EREV contributed 2,000 units.
Li Auto maintains an upward trajectory
Li Auto recorded sales of 40,856 units in May, marking a 16.7% increase year-on-year and a 20.4% rise from April. The company’s extended-range L series models remain popular among family buyers. Cumulative sales for 2025 now stand at 167,659 units, up 18.7% year-on-year.
Xpeng achieves a sharp surge
Xpeng delivered 33,525 vehicles in May, a 230.4% increase from last year’s month, despite a slight 4.3% dip from April. The X9 MPV accounted for 3,327 units, maintaining its lead in the premium electric MPV segment for six consecutive weeks. Total deliveries from January to May reached 162,578 units, a 293.1% jump.
Great Wall Motor and Xiaomi show steady performance
Great Wall Motor reported NEV sales of 32,638 units in May, up 32.1% year-on-year. Xiaomi matched its April performance with over 28,000 SU7 deliveries. The company is preparing for the debut of its second model, the YU7, later this year.
Varied Outcomes for other NEV brands
GAC Aion delivered 26,777 NEVs in May, a 33.2% decline year-on-year. In contrast, Deepal posted 25,521 units, up 77.6%. Nio Group delivered 23,231 units across its three brands: Nio (13,270), Onvo (6,281), and Firefly (3,680), bringing its year-to-date total to 89,225 units, a 34.7% rise. Avatr reported 12,767 sales in May, more than double the previous year’s figure. Voyah posted 10,022 units, reflecting a substantial 121.7% increase year-on-year.
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