Leapmotor Outsells Subaru and Mitsubishi as China's EV Push Reshapes Global Auto Market

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor has overtaken Japanese automakers Subaru and Mitsubishi Motors in global sales, marking another shift in the world's auto industry as Chinese EV brands expand rapidly. The milestone shows how quickly China's electric car companies are gaining ground. Leapmotor, founded in 2015, focuses on affordable electric vehicles and has grown its sales both at home and abroad. Subaru and Mitsubishi, both long-established Japanese brands, have been slower to move into electric vehicles. Their global sales have lagged as demand for traditional gasoline cars weakens in key markets. Leapmotor's rise reflects a broader trend. Chinese EV makers such as BYD and Leapmotor are increasing exports and opening factories overseas, challenging legacy automakers that once dominated the market. For Subaru and Mitsubishi, the loss of position adds pressure to speed up their electric vehicle plans. Both companies have announced new EV models, but they remain behind Chinese rivals in price and production scale. The global auto market is now a race between fast-moving Chinese EV startups and traditional brands trying to catch up. Leapmotor's latest result suggests the gap is narrowing — and in some cases, reversing.