Leapmotor Sales Surpassed Subaru and Mitsubishi in Q2
The EV maker hit record delivery numbers as European sales helped it gain ground on established global competitors.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Car Types
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Leapmotor delivered 240,000 vehicles in Q2 2026, marking an 84% year-over-year increase that allowed it to outsell both Subaru and Mitsubishi. This growth was driven largely by strong performance in European markets, which account for 80% of the company's overseas sales.
Why it matters
Leapmotor has gained a 10% per-vehicle cost advantage through vertical integration, producing 65% of its components in-house. This strategy, combined with a strategic partnership with Stellantis, allows the brand to bypass EU import duties on Chinese-built electric vehicles.
Leapmotor achieved 240,000 deliveries in Q2 2026 while major players saw declines, including a 4% drop for Toyota and a 9% drop for Volkswagen. In Italy alone, the company sold 24,450 vehicles through August 2026, securing a 27% share of the local EV market.
The players
Leapmotor
An electric vehicle manufacturer known for high vertical integration and rapid international expansion.
Stellantis
A multinational automotive corporation that holds a 51% stake in the Leapmotor International venture.
Subaru
A long-standing Japanese automaker currently navigating significant impairment charges related to its electrification assets.
Mitsubishi
A global automotive brand that was recently surpassed in quarterly delivery volume by the newcomer Leapmotor.
The details
Leapmotor International, a joint venture between Stellantis and Leapmotor, leverages over 850 existing European sales points to scale its footprint quickly. By manufacturing locally within Europe to avoid import tariffs and maintaining high in-house production of parts, the firm has undercut traditional pricing models. Future growth plans include adding B10 production in Spain and expanding manufacturing capacity through further plant ownership transfers.
Timeline
Between January and August 2026, Leapmotor sold 24,450 vehicles in Italy.
During Q2 2026, the brand surpassed Subaru and Mitsubishi in global sales volume.
In H2 2026, B10 production is scheduled to begin at the Zaragoza plant.
During 2027, the Dongfeng-Peugeot-Citroen venture will begin building new models.
In H1 2028, Stellantis will transfer ownership of the Villaverde plant to Leapmotor International.
The Home Front
Leapmotor’s rapid expansion reflects a broader shift toward localized manufacturing as global automakers navigate restrictive EU import duties on Chinese-built EVs. This strategy highlights the increasing influence of cross-border partnerships in maintaining competitive vehicle pricing.
Consumers should watch for increased availability of Leapmotor models in European markets as local production scales up at the Zaragoza plant. Check local dealership listings for pricing updates on new models as the company continues to aggressively target a 1 million annual sales goal.
The takeaway
Leapmotor has effectively leveraged a partnership model to overcome trade barriers and capture significant market share from established legacy automakers. Buyers should monitor the brand's production expansion into Spain as a sign of its growing footprint in the international EV market.
Further reading
For more on the current market landscape for various vehicle segments, visit the Car Types section.
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