Leapmotor A05 Launch Delayed One Day After Typhoon Dolphin

Leapmotor Delays A05 Event After Typhoon Dolphin

Leapmotor (HKEX: 9863) has delayed the Leapmotor A05 launch by one day after Typhoon Dolphin hit Zhejiang province, where the automaker is headquartered. The event was originally scheduled for August 10 but will now take place at 6:30 pm Beijing Time on August 11 in Hangzhou, senior vice president Cao Li said on Weibo on Monday. Typhoon Dolphin made landfall near Yuhuan city in Zhejiang at around 5:30 pm Beijing Time on August 9, with maximum winds of 42 meters per second near its center, before making a second landfall in Wenzhou about an hour later.

China's National Meteorological Center issued its second red typhoon alert of the year on August 9, while the China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency response for major meteorological disasters to the second-highest level. Dolphin is the first typhoon on record to form near the International Date Line and make landfall in China at tropical storm intensity or above. The storm traveled more than 6,000 kilometers before landfall and had a lifespan of more than 15 days, creating conditions that prompted automakers in affected areas to adjust scheduled vehicle events.

Other Automakers Also Reschedule Events

Leapmotor is not the only automaker to reschedule an event because of the weather situation. Freelander, the brand jointly built by Chery (HKEX: 9973) and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), last week postponed the pre-sales event for its first model, the Freelander 8, to August 14 from August 10. The event was originally scheduled to take place in Changshu, Jiangsu province. "Safety always comes first," Freelander global CMO Zhou Wen said on Weibo on August 6. The changes highlight how severe weather conditions can affect automotive launches and pre-sales activities even when vehicle programs are otherwise ready for market introduction.

A05 Becomes Important to Leapmotor's Growth Target

The A05 is an important model for Leapmotor as the company works toward its 2026 delivery target. The Stellantis NV (NYSE: STLA)-backed automaker delivered 101,267 vehicles globally in July, exceeding 100,000 units in a single month for the first time and recording year-on-year growth of 102.01%. However, deliveries during the first seven months totaled 457,754 units, representing about 46% of its 2026 target of 1 million vehicles. Leapmotor would therefore need to average more than 108,000 deliveries per month during the remaining five months to reach that annual target.

Pre-orders for the A05 opened on July 27, although pricing was not disclosed. Customers can place an order with a 99 yuan ($15) deposit and receive 5,000 exclusive energy points. The vehicle measures 4,200 millimeters in length, 1,800 millimeters in width and 1,560 millimeters in height, with a wheelbase of 2,605 millimeters. Although it is classified as a sedan in China, the vehicle is in fact a compact hatchback. Two battery pack options are available, with capacities of 39.8 kWh and 53 kWh and corresponding CLTC ranges of 405 kilometers and 510 kilometers respectively.

Technology and Cabin Features

The cabin is positioned as one of the model's selling points. The A05 comes standard with a Qualcomm 8295 chip, an 8.88-inch instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch center screen. It also features a 12-speaker audio system that supports microphone-free karaoke. Exterior equipment includes seven color options, a floating roof, semi-hidden door handles and smiley-face taillights, while LiDAR is available as an optional feature. These specifications place the compact EV within a technology-focused segment of China's increasingly competitive electric vehicle market.

The vehicle is the second model on Leapmotor's A platform after the A10 small SUV, or sport utility vehicle. It will compete with the BYD (HKEX: 1211) Dolphin and the Geely Auto (HKEX: 0175) Xingyuan. For comparison, the A10 went on sale in March with prices ranging from 65,800 yuan to 86,800 yuan. The model subsequently recorded 26,804 units sold in June, setting a monthly sales record. The A05 therefore expands Leapmotor's A-platform lineup while adding another compact vehicle aimed at China's highly competitive electric passenger-car market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Leapmotor A05 event delayed?
The event was delayed because Typhoon Dolphin hit Zhejiang province, where Leapmotor is headquartered, prompting the company to prioritize safety and move the scheduled event. Originally planned for August 10, the event will now take place at 6:30 pm Beijing Time on August 11 in Hangzhou. The delay follows severe weather conditions in the region, where Dolphin made landfall twice on August 9. Other automakers also adjusted vehicle-related events because of the typhoon.