China's new-energy vehicle startups showed a sharply tiered August market, led by Leapmotor's 103,129 global deliveries, an 80.72% year-over-year increase and its second straight month above 100,000 units. XPeng, Li Auto, Zeekr, NIO and Xiaomi EV competed in the 30,000-to-40,000-unit range, while Harmony Intelligent Mobility delivered 42,101 vehicles. Leapmotor said its performance reflects technology-led product competitiveness, 65% control of vehicle costs, 18 component plants and deep in-house manufacturing. It will unveil developments in world-model assisted driving and electric powertrains at its 2026 annual technology conference on September 16. XPeng delivered 39,107 vehicles, Li Auto 37,679, NIO 35,836 and Zeekr 37,000, while Xiaomi EV exceeded 30,000. New models planned for September include the next-generation Li Auto MEGA, Li Auto i9, XPeng G9L and Xiaomi Pengcheng. The launches will test whether startups can reverse slowing or declining year-to-date trends as the traditional peak season approaches. Cui Dongshu, head of the Passenger Vehicle Market Information Joint Conference under the China Automobile Dealers Association, said the market was in a bottoming-out and recovery phase, with consumption-stabilizing policies and an improving base effect expected to narrow the decline in passenger vehicles.