- BYD stays China's top automaker on the Fortune China 500, ranking 26th and expanding overseas aggressively.
- Leapmotor rockets 151 spots to 272nd after record June deliveries and mainstream-priced model expansion.
- XPeng jumps 113 places as EV startups and supply-chain firms drive major gains across the list.
Fortune released its 2026 Fortune China 500 rankings today. Chinese new energy vehicle makers and supply chain companies improved their positions on the list, with several firms posting notable gains.
Among automakers, BYD remained the highest-ranked Chinese automaker, placing 26th on the list. The company moved up one spot from 27th place in 2025.
SAIC Motor ranked 36th, followed by Geely at 39th and China FAW Group at 47th. GAC Group, Dongfeng Motor, Chery, and BAIC Group ranked 73rd, 77th, 87th, and 97th, respectively.
Beyond traditional automakers, EV startups continued to expand their presence. Seres ranked 156th, NIO ranked 216th, XPeng ranked 238th, while Leapmotor ranked 272nd.
XPeng and Leapmotor posted some of the biggest improvements year over year. Fortune highlighted that Leapmotor and XPeng, both from the vehicle and auto parts sector, jumped 151 and 113 spots, respectively.
Leapmotor recorded the sharpest rise among EV makers this year. The company has expanded its product lineup in recent years, using competitively priced models to enter the mainstream market.
In June, Leapmotor delivered 93,376 vehicles globally, up 95% year on year, rising 12.5% from May. The figure marked a new monthly delivery record, keeping Leapmotor among China’s top EV startups for several consecutive months.
In the battery supply chain, CATL ranked 66th, while CALB ranked 346th. CATL improved its position from 2025, while CALB jumped 125 places.
As China’s top-ranked automaker, BYD continues to strengthen its technology edge.
In March, BYD launched its second-generation Blade Battery, alongside megawatt flash-charging technology. The system supports peak charging power of 1,500 kW. With the second-generation Blade Battery, BYD claims compatible models can charge from 10% to 70% in five minutes, reaching 97% in nine minutes under flash-charging conditions.
BYD’s overseas expansion has also become a key growth driver. In the first half of 2026, BYD exported 789,367 vehicles, posting strong growth from a year earlier. The company has raised its 2026 overseas new energy passenger vehicle sales target to 1.5 million units, while accelerating localized operations across Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Overall, the Fortune China 500 rankings reflect the EV industry’s transition from early expansion into large-scale competition. Leading companies are maintaining their advantage through technology development, global expansion, and supply chain integration.
New EV players are seeking growth through smart driving capabilities and differentiated products. With more new models launching in the second half of the year, combined with further overseas expansion, more EV companies could climb higher in future rankings.
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