Leapmotor launched the A10, a compact EV targeting RMB 100,000 ($14,000), aiming for strong sales and global expansion.
On November 21, Leapmotor officially unveiled the A10, the first global model within its A-series lineup—a compact all-electric SUV positioned against models such as the Wuling Bingo S and BYD Yuan UP.
It targets the RMB 100,000 (US$14,000) price band while emphasizing the brand’s hallmark strengths in intelligence, long-range capability and interior space.
The A10 is also set to become another globally distributed model for Leapmotor, with large-scale deliveries beginning in the first half of next year, followed by expansion into European markets.
Historically, A-segment and A0-segment EVs have been fertile ground for top-selling models—from the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV to the BYD Seagull and Dolphin—and well-defined compact EVs consistently capture mass-market demand.
Leapmotor’s second mass-production model, the T03, was among the earliest and strongest sellers in the RMB 100,000 EV segment, helping the company through its challenging early years.
Five years later, Leapmotor returns with another compact segment contender—but now as the top-selling emerging EV brand for eight consecutive months, with strong momentum both domestically and globally.
So what does A10 reveal about Leapmotor’s evolution, and how will the brand compete in the rapidly shifting compact EV market?
We spoke with Leapmotor Senior Vice President Cao Li and Vice President Zhou Ying, drawing from their remarks at a media roundtable.
A compact EV with Leapmotor’s signature attributes
In short, the A10 is poised to be a powerful disruptor in the RMB 100,000 ($14,000) compact EV category in 2026. Key specifications include:
- Length/width/height 4.2 x 1.8 x 1.6 meters, 88.1% cabin efficiency;
- Qualcomm 8295P + 8650 chip architecture and lidar for full-scenario assisted driving;
- Over 500 km pure-electric range on high-spec trim, 50% charge in 16 minutes;
- Oil-cooled electric drive, intelligent driving indicator light, 18-inch wheels.
Notably, the A10 continues Leapmotor’s characteristic approach of providing above-segment configuration levels, offering multiple first-in-segment intelligent features.
Lidar, the 8295 cockpit processor and 8650 AD chip previously debuted only on the RMB 110,000 ($15,500) B01 sedan in high-spec form.
The A10 becomes the only compact EV in its class equipped with lidar, urban assisted driving and auxiliary-driving indicator lighting.
“All the high-end intelligence, space, range and performance capabilities have been added—A10 is fundamentally over-specced for its class,” said Cao.9
He added that full-option configurations will still be positioned around the RMB 100,000 ($14,000) level.
Zhou noted that A10’s product capability is competitive with many A+ and B-segment EVs priced around RMB 150,000 ($21,100).
However, this price band is also one of the most intensely contested.
Cao believes that high competition reflects high market potential, and that customers’ demands for comfort, technology and emotional value do not conflict with compact-EV practicality.
He adds that A10’s interior soft-touch coverage area is also the largest and best-quality in class.
Discussing sales expectations, Cao said that Lafa5—despite being a niche-style model—carries strong product capability, and the goal is to exceed 10,000 units per month.
With greater volume potential, he believes A10 is even better positioned. For context, the Bingo S and Dolphin—priced similarly—achieved more than 17,000 and 16,000 monthly sales in October.
Accelerated model rollout and global expansion
With the launch of A10, Leapmotor’s A-B-C-D four-series structure is now complete.
Cao said each platform is mature and each series has 3–4 planned models addressing different markets.
Next year, three new B-series models and two A-series models will launch, alongside C-series updates. Going forward, each model in each series will undergo annual mid-cycle updates and regular generational upgrades.
This year marks Leapmotor’s 10th anniversary and the fastest growth period in its history.
Last week, the company reached the 500,000 annual sales milestone nearly 50 days ahead of schedule, becoming the second emerging EV brand to surpass 500,000 annual deliveries.
Cao showed a comparison image: at the Auto Guangzhou 2025, Leapmotor lacked its own booth, while this year’s booth expands to 1,225 square meters.
Zhou described the company’s development as methodical growth: “One step at a time.”
Global expansion has been a unique differentiator. From January to October, Leapmotor exported 44,000 vehicles, effectively securing the 50,000 mark for the year.
Next, Leapmotor targets more than 100,000 overseas sales in 2026. For comparison, Dongfeng Motor ranked tenth among Chinese exporters in 2024 with 246,000 overseas units.
Cao expressed confidence in achieving the goal, citing Leapmotor’s current overseas dealer network and future expansion plans.
As of the latest quarterly earnings report, Leapmotor has more than 700 overseas authorized stores, including over 600 in Europe. Next year’s core overseas lineup will include the A10, B10, C10, Lafa5, T03 and C16.
Looking ahead, Cao reiterated Leapmotor’s ambition to achieve one million annual sales. On capacity planning, he noted that production will be closely managed, with sales slightly leading capacity to maintain optimal balance.
For product segmentation, the ABC series share similar targets, while the D series—positioned as premium—has different expectations.
Asked about the direction of the domestic three-row SUV market and the wider EV vs. EREV debate, Cao offered a perspective aligned with Leapmotor’s values:
“The market will ultimately shift to pure EVs—over 80% of our customers already choose pure electric. But for the segment where the D19 competes, range-extended models will continue to play a supplementary role for some time.”
On the question of whether Leapmotor will abandon its value-driven positioning in the high-end segment, Cao was direct:
“If a brand lacks reputation and the product lacks strengths, entering premium would be a major problem. Product capability must come first—only then can we secure competitive share.”
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