In May 2026, China's new force brand sales landscape underwent significant changes. Leapmotor achieved a gap-leading 81,569 units, up 81% year-over-year. Hongmeng Zhixing followed with 46,122 units, while Xiaomi Motors surpassed 30,000 units. This pattern marks the new force sector's transition from "chaotic competition" to "stratified tiers," with head effects becoming more pronounced and mid-tier brands facing narrowing survival space.
Sales Landscape: Leapmotor's "One Superpower" Status Established
May new force sales data reveals a clear tiered structure:
| Rank | Brand | May Sales | YoY Growth | Market Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leapmotor | 81,569 units | +81% | Gap leader |
| 2 | Hongmeng Zhixing | 46,122 units | +35% | Solid second |
| 3 | Xiaomi | 30,000+ units | New entrant | Rapid climb |
| 4 | NIO | 37,700 units | +12% | Steady growth |
| 5 | Li Auto | 36,500 units | -8% | Declining |
Leapmotor's explosion is no accident. Its strategy can be summarized as "high configuration at low price" — offering 300,000-yuan-level intelligent features in the 150,000-200,000 yuan price segment. Models like the C16 and C10 feature LiDAR, Orin-X chips, and Qualcomm 8295 cockpits at half the price of competitors.
Core Growth Drivers for Leapmotor
- Full-stack self-developed technology: Battery, motor, control, and intelligent driving systems all achieve independent control
- Cost control capability: Through CTC battery-chassis integration technology, per-vehicle costs reduced by 15%
- Overseas expansion strategy: Entered Middle East and Southeast Asian markets in 2026, planning Russian-speaking region entry by year-end
Huawei and Xiaomi: Tech Giants' Cross-Border Offensive
Hongmeng Zhixing's 46,122-unit result proves that Huawei's commitment not to manufacture cars doesn't prevent it from "making cars." Through the Smart Selection model, Huawei converts its ICT technology accumulation into automotive product strength:
- Aito M9: Three consecutive months as the best-selling model above 500,000 yuan, validating the premium market feasibility
- Stelato S9: Executive-class sedan filling the domestic high-end gap, with strong government and corporate procurement orders
- Luxeed R7: Coupe SUV targeting young high-net-worth individuals, with order conversion rates exceeding 40%
Xiaomi Motors completed its leap from new force "newcomer" to "mainstream player" with 30,000+ units. The SU7 Ultra, priced at 529,900 yuan with 1,548 horsepower, tears open a gap in the premium market. Xiaomi's ecosystem "car-home" integrated experience becomes a differentiated purchase reason for young consumers.
Traditional New Forces Diverge: Li Auto Under Pressure, NIO Holds Steady
Li Auto's May sales of 36,500 units marked an 8% year-over-year decline — its first negative growth in nearly 12 months, drawing market attention. Core reasons include:
- Product cycle: L-series in mid-to-late lifecycle, new platform models not yet delivered
- Pure electric transition: MEGA sales below expectations, slow pure electric product line layout
- Intensified competition: Aito M9 directly分流 Li Auto L9's core customer base
NIO achieved steady growth with 37,700 units, up 12% year-over-year. The strategic value of its battery swap network is being realized: as of end-May, NIO has built over 3,100 battery swap stations nationwide, including over 900 highway stations. For overseas buyers, the battery swap model represents a unique energy replenishment solution that bypasses local charging infrastructure bottlenecks.
Market Implications: New Forces Enter Second Half of Elimination Round
The 2026 new force market presents three deterministic trends:
| Trend | Manifestation | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Head concentration | Top three account for over 60% of sales | Mid-tier brands face harder financing |
| Technology下沉 | Intelligent driving features reach 100,000-yuan level | Consumer expectations continue rising |
| Accelerated overseas expansion | Multiple new forces launch overseas delivery | More options for Central Asian, Russian markets |
For Central Asian and Russian buyers, the rise of new force brands means more choices and higher value-for-money. The overseas expansion plans of Leapmotor, Xiaomi and others will bring a new wave of product supply to the Russian-speaking market in H2 2026. EX1000.COM will continue tracking overseas certification progress and localized service deployment of new force brands.
