Leapmotor cars make up 52% of Brazil's vehicle imports

Chinese electric vehicles from Leapmotor accounted for 52.4% of all cars imported into Brazil between January and July 2026, with more than 180,000 units arriving—a 105.4% increase over the same period in 2025. Total vehicle imports reached 344,100, a 25.7% rise from the previous year, outpacing the production of many domestic manufacturers, according to the National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (Anfavea). The surge in Chinese imports coincided with a 20.8% drop in Brazil's vehicle exports, which fell to 255,900 units.

Domestically, Brazilian automakers produced over 1.6 million vehicles in the same period, an 8.8% year‑on‑year gain, and July saw a record monthly sales figure of 279,500 new vehicle registrations. Meanwhile, a Leapmotor B03X prototype was photographed undergoing road tests in São Paulo. If launched, the compact electric SUV could be priced below R$150 000, positioning it as the brand's most affordable model in Brazil and expanding Leapmotor's market entry strategy.