2026 Auto Sales Targets Diverge: Aggressive, Cautious, and Conservative Camps Emerge

At the start of 2026, Chinese automakers have rolled out their annual sales targets in quick succession, clearly dividing the market into three distinct camps. The aggressive camp—including Leapmotor (target: 1 million units, +67.5% year-on-year) and Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) (target: 1–1.3 million units, up to +120%)—is betting on high growth to capture market share. The steady camp, represented by Xiaomi (550,000 units, +34%) and Great Wall Motor (over 1.8 million units, +36%), prioritizes stability through balanced production capacity and ecosystem synergy. Meanwhile, the conservative camp—led by Geely (3.45 million units, +14%) and Li Auto—focuses more on profitability quality and the pace of transformation. In 2025, only six automakers met their sales targets. BYD topped the global all-electric vehicle sales chart with 4.6 million units, while Li Auto and HIMA fell short—highlighting intensifying industry consolidation. Experts note that competition in 2026 will shift from “chasing volume” to “competing on profitability and systemic capabilities,” and the success or failure of these three strategic approaches will reshape China’s automotive market landscape.