Now that 2024 has officially ended, emerging new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers have subsequently announced their annual performance numbers. Li Auto, HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance), and GAC Aion claimed the top three spots, and their annual sales collectively exceeded 350,000 vehicles. As a reminder that in 2024, China’s new energy passenger vehicle retail sales were 11 million units in 2024.
The term “emerging Chinese NEV automakers” refers to the newer automakers specializing in the production of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles that have sprouted in recent years, in contrast to the traditional automakers that previously focused on diesel or gasoline-engine cars. In China, the leading emerging automakers often referenced are Nio, Li Auto, and Xpeng.
| Automaker | December Sales | 2024 Sales | Annual Completion Rate |
| Li Auto | 5.85 | 50.05 | 104.27% |
| HIMA | 4.95 | 44.50 | 89% |
| GAC Aion | 4.69 | 35.4 | 50.59% |
| Leapmotor | 4.25 | 29.37 | 117.48% |
| Deepal | 3.66 | 24.39 | 87.11% |
| Zeekr | 2.72 | 22.21 | 96.50% |
| Nio | 3.11 | 22.19 | 96.52% |
| Xpeng | 3.67 | 19 | 67.89% |
| Xiaomi | 2.5 | 13.5+ | 103.85% |
| Voyah | 1.21 | 8.57 | 85.70% |
| Avatr | 1.11 | 7.36 | 81.78% |
| IM Motors | 0.8 | 6.55 | 54.58% |
Li Auto
In December, Li Auto delivered 58,500 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 16.21%, setting a new record. Its 2024 cumulative delivery volume exceeded 500,000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 33%, making it the first emerging NEV maker to achieve an annual delivery of more than 500,000 vehicles. It is worth pointing out that Li Auto lowered its annual delivery target from the original 800,000 vehicles at the beginning of 2024 to 480,000 – 560,000 vehicles partially due to the postponement of the release of three EV models.
HIMA
HIMA delivered 49,500 vehicles in December, bringing its total annual sales to 445,000 vehicles, ranking second on the list. HIMA currently consists of the Aito, Luxeed, Maextro, and Stelato brands. Aito is still the biggest sales contributor where the cumulative order of the Aito M9 has exceeded 200,000 units in the 12 months since its launch and the annual cumulative delivery of the new M7 has exceeded 190,000 units.
HIMA also claimed that the number of cumulatively possible collisions avoided on its models due to the usage of advanced driving assistance systems was 1,126,600 times. Looking ahead, HIMA plans to launch models such as the Aito M8, Luxeed S9 EREV variant, and Maextro S800 in 2025.
GAC Aion
GAC Aion’s sales rebounded in December, with monthly sales of 46,900 units, bringing its annual sales to 354,000 units, but compared with the 480,000 units sold in 2023, there was a year-on-year decline of about 14%.
More competition ahead
Entering 2025, some emerging NEV manufacturers have already started a new round of “price war” since January 1, aiming to grab market share during the peak sales season before the Spring Festival at the end of this month.
Source: Sohu
