China EV Sales Rebound in May 2026 as BYD, Huawei HIMA and Leapmotor Lead Growth

China EV sales showed clear signs of recovery in May as several automakers reported stronger delivery numbers after a sluggish start to the year. Improved month-on-month performance was visible across multiple brands, supported by rising demand, expanding product portfolios, and strong export momentum. While domestic sales remained mixed for some manufacturers, overseas markets continued to provide significant growth opportunities. Major industry participants including BYD, Geely Auto, Nio, and Xiaomi EV reported encouraging results during the month, highlighting continued competition in the rapidly evolving China new energy vehicle market.

BYD Expands Sales Through Strong Overseas Performance

BYD sold 383,453 new energy vehicles in May, representing a slight year-on-year increase of 0.26%. Compared with April, sales rose sharply by 19.41%, reflecting improved market conditions and stronger demand. Domestic sales totaled 222,809 units, which was 24.07% lower than the same period last year. However, the domestic figure improved significantly compared with earlier months. The company’s international business remained the standout performer, with overseas sales reaching a record 160,644 units. This represented an 80.40% year-on-year increase and demonstrated the growing importance of global markets in supporting BYD’s overall growth trajectory.

Geely Auto Benefits from Export Momentum

Geely Auto reported total May sales of 237,637 vehicles, up 1.03% year-on-year and 1.05% from April. Export markets continued to be the company’s strongest growth contributor. Overseas deliveries reached a record 85,144 vehicles, representing a substantial 183.65% increase compared with the previous year. In contrast, domestic market performance remained relatively weak. Geely Auto recorded 152,493 vehicle sales within China, reflecting a 25.68% decline year-on-year. The contrast between export growth and domestic softness highlighted the increasingly global nature of Chinese automakers’ expansion strategies.

May 2026 Vehicle Deliveries by Major Chinese Automakers

Nio Achieves Its Strongest Monthly Performance of the Year

Nio delivered 37,705 vehicles in May, marking its highest monthly total so far this year. Deliveries increased 62.3% year-on-year and rose 28.44% compared with April. The result was supported by sustained demand for the ES8 SUV, which contributed 11,475 deliveries during the month. The company also benefited from the launch of the new L80 SUV under the Onvo sub-brand, which delivered 5,949 units during its first half month of market availability. These results demonstrated the positive impact of new model introductions and stronger customer acceptance across multiple vehicle segments.

Xpeng and Li Auto Navigate Product Transition Periods

Xpeng delivered 32,158 vehicles in May, representing a 4.08% year-on-year decline and marking its fifth consecutive month of annual delivery contraction. Despite this, deliveries improved by 3.70% compared with April. The company launched the GX SUV on May 20 and began customer deliveries on May 26, with larger-scale volume contributions expected in the coming months. Li Auto reported 33,350 vehicle deliveries in May, down 18.37% year-on-year and 2.16% from April. During the first five months of the year, cumulative deliveries reached 162,577 units, reflecting a 3.03% decline compared with the same period last year.

Leapmotor and Zeekr Continue Record-Breaking Growth

Leapmotor delivered 81,569 vehicles in May, setting another monthly delivery record for the company. Deliveries increased 80.99% year-on-year and 14.26% from April. Growth was supported by recently launched products including the A10 compact SUV and the D19 full-size SUV. Zeekr also reported strong performance, delivering 34,377 vehicles during May. This represented an 81.81% increase year-on-year and an 8.15% rise month-on-month. Higher-priced vehicles from the Zeekr 9 Series and 8 Series accounted for nearly half of total deliveries, while cumulative deliveries for the first five months reached 143,201 units, up 93.42% year-on-year.

Xiaomi EV and Huawei HIMA Maintain Strong Market Presence

Xiaomi EV confirmed that May deliveries again exceeded 30,000 units, although the company did not disclose an exact figure. In April, Xiaomi EV delivered 36,702 vehicles, with the SU7 sedan accounting for more than 70% of total deliveries and the YU7 SUV contributing the remainder. Huawei-backed HIMA delivered 46,122 vehicles in May, representing a 3.77% year-on-year increase and a 40.79% month-on-month rise. The business recorded its second consecutive month of delivery growth and continued expanding through partnerships with several Chinese automakers under the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance framework.

Aito, SAIC-GM-Wuling, Voyah and IM Motors Report Mixed Results

Aito delivered 34,320 vehicles in May, representing a 48.2% increase from the previous month. The brand reported cumulative delivery growth of 28.7% from January through May compared with the previous year. SAIC-GM-Wuling achieved total May sales of 126,087 units, including 74,178 new energy vehicles and 30,090 exported vehicles. The company also highlighted the launch of the Huajing S, developed with Huawei, which delivered 3,603 units during its first three weeks. Voyah delivered 13,003 vehicles, increasing 29.74% year-on-year but declining 14.15% from April. IM Motors reported 10,023 deliveries in May and stated that cumulative deliveries during the first five months rose 115% year-on-year.

Outlook for the Chinese EV Market

The May sales results indicate that the Chinese EV industry is gradually recovering from the seasonal slowdown experienced earlier in the year. Export growth remains a major pillar of expansion for many manufacturers, while new vehicle launches continue to stimulate demand across the domestic market. Companies such as BYD, Leapmotor, Zeekr, Huawei HIMA, and Nio delivered particularly strong performances, while others are preparing for growth through upcoming product introductions and technology-focused initiatives. As additional models reach customers and market conditions improve, competition within China’s new energy vehicle sector is expected to remain intense throughout the remainder of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which automaker recorded the highest sales in May among the companies listed?
BYD recorded the highest May sales among the automakers covered, delivering 383,453 new energy vehicles during the month. This result represented a slight increase compared with the previous year and a strong month-on-month improvement. The company’s performance was supported by record overseas sales that exceeded 160,000 units. International markets played a major role in offsetting weaker domestic demand and helped BYD maintain its position as one of the largest EV and NEV manufacturers in the Chinese automotive market.

What was the main growth driver for Chinese automakers in May?
Exports emerged as one of the most important growth drivers for many Chinese automakers during May. Companies such as Geely Auto and BYD reported significant increases in overseas deliveries, with export volumes reaching record levels. International expansion helped manufacturers compensate for mixed domestic market performance and broaden their customer base. Growing acceptance of Chinese electric vehicles in foreign markets, combined with expanding distribution networks and competitive product offerings, continues to strengthen the global presence of China’s automotive industry.

How did Huawei HIMA perform in May?
Huawei HIMA delivered 46,122 vehicles during May, recording a 3.77% increase compared with the previous year and a 40.79% rise from April. The result marked the second consecutive month of delivery growth for the alliance. HIMA operates through partnerships with multiple automakers and supports several vehicle brands under the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance framework. Strong monthly performance and cumulative delivery growth indicate that the alliance continues to expand its influence within the rapidly developing Chinese new energy vehicle market.

Why did Nio achieve strong delivery growth in May?
Nio’s strong May performance was primarily supported by robust demand for existing models and the introduction of new vehicles. The ES8 SUV delivered more than 11,000 units during the month, while the newly launched L80 SUV under the Onvo brand contributed nearly 6,000 deliveries during its initial market period. Together, these products helped Nio achieve its highest monthly delivery total of the year. The company’s diversified product lineup and successful model launches played a key role in driving year-on-year and month-on-month growth.

What does the May sales rebound indicate for the EV market in China?
The May rebound suggests that China’s electric vehicle market is moving beyond the seasonal weakness experienced during the first months of the year. Stronger deliveries, increasing exports, and successful product launches indicate improving market momentum. Several manufacturers achieved record monthly results, while others are preparing additional models and technology updates. Although competition remains intense, the combination of domestic demand recovery and international market expansion provides a positive outlook for the Chinese new energy vehicle industry in the coming months.