Xpeng Overtakes Li Auto as January Sales Leader: New Energy Vehicle Brands Set Ambitious 2025 Targets

The competitive landscape of China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market shifted dramatically in January 2025, with Xpeng Motors dethroning Li Auto to claim the monthly sales crown. This surge highlights the accelerating consumer adoption of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), battery cars, and other new energy cars, reshaping priorities for car dealers and manufacturers alike.

New Energy Car Brands Battle for Market Share
Xpeng delivered 30,300 units in January, marking a 268% year-over-year (YoY) increase, despite a 17.3% month-over-month (MoM) dip. Its flagship sedan, the MONA M03, maintained strong momentum with over 15,000 deliveries for two consecutive months, while the P7+ model surpassed 20,000 cumulative deliveries since launch. Meanwhile, Li Auto reported 29,900 deliveries, down 4% YoY, ending its multi-month dominance. The rivalry underscores the fierce competition among automobile brands to innovate in new energy car technology, particularly Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles and battery cars, to attract eco-conscious buyers.

Other rising players like Leapmotor (25,000 units, +105% YoY), Deepal (24,500 units, +44.2% YoY), and Xiaomi’s newly launched EV division (20,000+ units) further intensified the race. NIO, despite a 55.5% MoM decline, pushed aggressive promotions, including zero-interest financing, to boost demand for its sedan and SUV lineups.

Traditional Automakers Adapt to the EV Shift
While legacy automobile brands face mixed results, their NEV subsidiaries strive to stay relevant. Geely Auto shattered records with 266,700 January sales (+25% YoY), leveraging its growing portfolio of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. However, GAC Aion (14,300 units, -42.3% YoY) and Zeekr (11,900 units, -4.7% YoY) faced setbacks, signaling the challenges of transitioning from combustion engines to battery cars. Hongmeng Zhixing, Huawei’s smart EV alliance, emerged as a dark horse with 34,900 deliveries, excluding its premium "Zunjie" line, and aims to sell 1 million units in 2025 by expanding its sedan and pickup offerings.

Car Dealers Navigate Evolving Consumer Preferences
As new energy cars dominate showrooms, car dealers are prioritizing PHEVs and battery cars to meet demand. Xpeng’s success with the MONA M03 sedan and Li Auto’s focus on family-oriented SUVs reveal distinct strategies to capture market segments. Meanwhile, brands like Deepal and Leapmotor are targeting budget-conscious buyers with affordable Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, while premium automobile makers like Hongmeng Zhixing experiment with luxury pickup models to diversify their appeal.

2025: A Pivotal Year for New Energy Cars
With Xpeng setting a high bar, competitors aim to double 2024 sales figures. Li Auto plans to counter with upgraded PHEV models, while Xiaomi accelerates production of its battery car series. Car dealers nationwide are revamping inventories to highlight sedan and pickup variants, anticipating stricter emissions regulations. As the automobile industry accelerates toward electrification, innovations in Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle efficiency and battery car affordability will likely dictate who leads the next phase of this high-stakes race.

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