Leapmotor hits 30,000 deliveries in Italy as European car demand shifts

Chinese EV maker Leapmotor saw a dramatic rise in European sales in the first five months of 2026. According to ACEA data, new passenger‑car registrations across Europe increased 4.5% year‑on‑year to 5.8 million, with Poland growing 7.4% and Estonia, Malta and Slovenia posting the strongest gains. At the same time, nine brands recorded double‑digit declines, led by Mitsubishi (‑42.9%) and Ford (‑16.9%). Leapmotor recorded the largest percentage increase, up 552.9%, followed by BYD (+145.2%) and Tesla (+57%). In Italy, the brand crossed the 30 000‑vehicle mark in less than two years after starting sales in September 2024. The milestone vehicle, a Leapmotor B10 REEV SUV, combines an electric motor with a gasoline generator that recharges the battery on demand. Stellantis, which supports Leapmotor’s European rollout, highlighted the model’s appeal to customers seeking electric range without charging‑infrastructure limitations.