China’s EV Report Card: June Sales Data Reveals New Winners and Losers
The June 2025 sales results for China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) startups are in, and the data paints a picture of a brutal, fast-moving battlefield. The once-stable hierarchy has been shaken up, with a new champion crowned and a former king stumbling. This article provides an objective analysis of the June sales data, breaking down what the numbers truly mean for the market’s key players.
The biggest winners in June were undoubtedly Leapmotor and AITO.
Leapmotor (June Sales: 48,006 units): For the fourth consecutive month, Leapmotor has claimed the top spot among startups, cementing its position on the throne. Its sales approached the 50,000-unit mark, setting another all-time high. This success is fueled by ① a rapid succession of competitively priced new models (like the C16 and B01) and ② key technology partnerships (such as integrating Qualcomm’s latest platform).
AITO (June Sales: 44,685 units): Riding the “Huawei effect,” AITO has made a stunning return to the top three. Strong sales of its premium M8 and M9 models drove this growth. Most significantly, certain provincial governments have begun offering purchase subsidies exclusively for vehicles equipped with Huawei’s HarmonyOS. This signals a new phase of competition where being part of a larger tech ecosystem—and receiving its political favor—can directly impact sales.
2. A Shaken Throne & The Production Dilemma: Li Auto & Xiaomi
The former champion, Li Auto, and the market’s most-hyped entrant, Xiaomi, are facing different but significant challenges.
Li Auto (June Sales: 36,279 units): The former king has fallen to third place, with sales declining both year-over-year and month-over-month. The primary cause appears to be weaker-than-expected deliveries of its new L6 model. While the company has announced new pure-electric models for the second half of the year, its dominant position is clearly under threat.
Xiaomi (June Sales: 25,000+ units): Xiaomi’s slight dip in sales is not a demand issue but a severe supply bottleneck. Locked-in orders for its new YU7 have reportedly surpassed 280,000 units, with current wait times extending up to a year. This demonstrates immense potential but also highlights that in today’s market, manufacturing capacity is a critical constraint on growth.
3. The Middle Pack’s Melee: Xpeng, Deepal, & NIO
The competition in the middle of the pack remains fierce, with each brand facing its own unique challenges.
Xpeng (June Sales: 34,611 units): Xpeng delivered a stable performance, marking its eighth consecutive month of over 30,000 sales. The new G7 model shows promise, but the brand needs a major breakout hit to climb higher.
Deepal (June Sales: 29,893 units): While approaching the 30,000-unit mark, Deepal’s challenge is its lack of a standout “hero” model. Cultivating a true flagship product is essential for it to become a market leader.
NIO (June Sales: 24,925 units): NIO’s sales saw a modest increase, showing signs of stabilization. However, behind this positive signal lies growing concern. The company recently lowered its annual sales forecast, suggesting that its previously promised 2025 profitability turnaround is now unlikely. Its multi-brand strategy and cost-cutting measures appear to be a necessary pivot towards long-term sustainability rather than short-term gains.
[Table] China NEV Startup Deliveries – June 2025
Rank
Brand
June Sales
May Sales
% Change (MoM)
% Change (YoY)
1
Leapmotor
48,006
45,067
+6.5%
+138%
2
AITO
44,685
36,372
+22.9%
+53%
3
Li Auto
36,279
40,856
-11.2%
-24%
4
Xpeng
34,611
33,525
+3.2%
+224%
5
Deepal
29,893
25,521
+17.1%
+79%
6
Aion
27,848
26,777
+4.0%
-20%
7
Xiaomi
25,000+
28,013
–
–
8
NIO
24,925
23,231
+7.3%
+18%
9
Zeekr
16,702
18,908
-11.7%
-17%
10
Avatr
10,153
12,767
-20.5%
+117%
11
Lantu
10,053
10,022
+0.3%
+83%
[Table] China NEV Startup Cumulative Deliveries – H1 2025 (Jan-Jun)
Rank
Brand
2025 H1 Sales
2024 H1 Sales
% Change (YoY)
1
Leapmotor
221,664
86,696
+156%
2
Li Auto
203,938
188,981
+8%
3
Xpeng
197,189
52,028
+279%
4
Xiaomi
157,000
30,000
+423%
5
AITO
155,104
180,831
-14%
6
Aion
152,264
177,366
-14%
7
Deepal
143,236
83,858
+71%
8
NIO
109,519
87,426
+25%
9
Zeekr
90,740
87,870
+3%
10
Avatr
58,453
29,030
+101%
11
Lantu
56,128
30,376
+85%
Conclusion: The New Rules of Survival
The June 2025 sales data clearly shows that the formula for success in China’s EV market has become more complex.
Speed is King: The ability to rapidly launch new models that meet market demand is crucial, as demonstrated by Leapmotor.
Ecosystem is Power: Integration into a larger tech ecosystem, as seen with AITO and Huawei, is a new form of leverage.
Capacity is a Bottleneck: Manufacturing capacity is now a key differentiator that can make or break a company’s momentum, as Xiaomi’s case illustrates.
There is No Single Formula: The market is diversifying, with companies finding different paths to survival, from NIO’s premium long-term play to Leapmotor’s value-focused approach.
In this hyper-competitive environment, next month’s sales report is sure to bring another chapter of this unfolding drama.