Core Viewpoint - Leap Motor's senior vice president, Cao Li, emphasized that the company's commitment to self-research and development does not conflict with collaborations with other companies, clarifying that he never stated "different paths with Huawei" and urged for a rational discourse in the industry [1][1][1] Group 1: Company Strategy - Leap Motor has maintained a consistent strategy of full self-research and development for its core technologies, which is not in opposition to partnerships with other excellent enterprises [1][1] - The company respects Huawei as a benchmark for China's technological self-reliance and innovation, highlighting the importance of collaboration in the industry [1][1] Group 2: Market Positioning - The launch of the new flagship model, Leap D19, on October 16 is seen as a significant move for Leap Motor to elevate its brand positioning in the market [2]

Core Insights - Leap Motor achieved a significant milestone by delivering 66,657 vehicles in September 2025, becoming the first new force brand to exceed 60,000 monthly sales and maintaining the top position in sales for seven consecutive months [1] - The launch of the D19 model, positioned as the flagship of the D series, was held on October 16, 2025, showcasing advanced technology and high-end features [1][3] Product Strategy - The D series is defined as "the flagship among flagships," featuring a dual-vector three-motor system, an 80 kWh battery with a small fuel tank range extender, and a Qualcomm 8797 chip, with suppliers including Bosch, ZF, and CATL [3] - CEO Zhu Jiangming emphasized that the brand's positioning remains unchanged, focusing on "good but not expensive" products, with pricing strategies aligned with the B and C series, avoiding high margins [3][5] Business Model - Zhu provided examples of clothing brands to illustrate that pursuing scale effects can be more profitable than focusing on high margins, comparing Ermenegildo Zegna and Uniqlo's profitability [5][6] - Leap Motor's core advantage lies in its comprehensive in-house research and development, allowing efficient collaboration with suppliers and cost optimization through technological innovation [6] Technological Innovation - Innovations such as the integrated electric drive generator system developed with ZF reduce weight and costs significantly, while the CTC technology enhances space and safety in the D series [6] Market Strategy - The key to sales growth is attributed to product strength, with a focus on technology and reasonable pricing to attract customers [9] - Leap Motor plans to concentrate on first-tier cities for high-end store layouts while maintaining advantages in lower-tier markets [9] Future Outlook - Zhu expressed confidence in achieving the annual target of 500,000 vehicles ahead of schedule and anticipates a product explosion in 2026 with plans to launch 2-3 new D series models and 2 A series models [9] - The company does not prioritize immediate sales leadership but aims for sustained efforts to reach long-term goals [9]

Core Insights - The senior vice president of Leap Motor, Cao Li, denied making statements regarding Huawei, clarifying that his comments were misinterpreted by some media outlets [1] - Leap Motor emphasizes its commitment to independent research and development of core technologies while respecting Huawei as a benchmark for China's technological self-reliance [1] - Leap Motor and Huawei announced a collaboration in March 2024 to develop a native application for the HarmonyOS ecosystem, focusing on technology complementarity and commercial win-win scenarios [1] Company Performance - Leap Motor has shown strong performance in the new energy vehicle sector, leading the sales rankings among new car manufacturers with a total of 396,000 units sold in the first nine months of the year [2] - In September, Leap Motor achieved a record monthly delivery of 66,657 vehicles, marking the highest single-month delivery for new car manufacturers in China and maintaining the top position in sales for seven consecutive months [2]

Core Viewpoint - The recent statement attributed to Leap Motor regarding Huawei has been clarified by the company's senior vice president, emphasizing that there was a misunderstanding and that Leap Motor respects Huawei as a benchmark in China's technology sector [2][2]. Group 1: Company Positioning - Leap Motor has reiterated its commitment to core technology and self-research, stating that it has not expressed any intention to distance itself from Huawei [2][2]. - The company aims to provide high-quality products through technological innovation and does not see collaboration with other companies as contradictory to its self-research approach [2][2]. Group 2: Industry Context - The senior vice president highlighted that the progress of China's new energy vehicle industry is a collective effort from all practitioners, calling for a rational and objective public discourse [2][2].

Core Viewpoint - Leap Motor emphasizes its commitment to full self-research and development, asserting that this approach does not conflict with collaboration with other excellent companies, including Huawei [2][3]. Group 1: Self-Research and Development - Leap Motor's core electronic components and high-value-added parts achieve full self-research, accounting for 65% of the vehicle's cost, allowing for better cost control, quality assurance, and greater freedom for technological and functional innovation [3]. - The company has invested significantly in development over the years, aiming to establish its advanced driver assistance systems [3]. Group 2: Collaboration with Huawei - Leap Motor's senior vice president, Cao Li, clarified that the company has not stated any intention to avoid collaboration with Huawei, recognizing Huawei as a benchmark for self-reliance in the Chinese tech industry [3]. - A partnership with Huawei is set to be formalized in March 2024, focusing on the development of native applications for the HarmonyOS and exploring deeper cooperation in technology and business [3]. Group 3: Industry Trends and Future Outlook - The automotive industry is expected to see a significant breakthrough in higher-level driver assistance technologies by 2026, with Leap Motor planning to quickly implement mature technologies into its vehicles [4][6]. - Leap Motor has adopted a strategy of closely following industry trends in driver assistance technology rather than leading, which is seen as a more resource-efficient approach [5].

Core Viewpoint - The senior vice president of Leap Motor, Cao Li, clarified that the company will not adopt Huawei's Qian Kun autonomous driving system, emphasizing that Leap Motor is committed to self-research and development while still open to collaborations with other companies [1][2] Group 1 - Cao Li stated that Leap Motor has invested significantly in autonomous driving development over the years and will launch its own advanced autonomous driving technology [1] - The media misinterpreted Cao Li's comments, suggesting that Leap Motor is distancing itself from Huawei, which he denied [1] - Leap Motor respects Huawei as a benchmark for China's technological self-reliance and sees it as a learning example [2] Group 2 - Leap Motor and Huawei previously signed a cooperation agreement on March 15, 2024, to develop native applications for the Leap Motor app based on HarmonyOS NEXT [2] - The partnership aims to enhance collaboration in the Harmony ecosystem, technical complementarity, and commercial success [2]

Core Viewpoint - Leap Motor emphasizes its commitment to full self-research and development, asserting that this approach does not conflict with collaboration with other leading companies, such as Huawei [2][5]. Group 1: Self-Research and Development - Leap Motor's core electronic components and high-value-added parts achieve full self-research, accounting for 65% of the vehicle's total cost, allowing for better cost control, quality assurance, and greater freedom for technological and functional innovation [5]. - The company plans to develop its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) after several years of accumulation and investment in development [5][11]. Group 2: Collaboration with Huawei - Leap Motor's executives clarified that their self-research strategy does not contradict their collaboration with Huawei, which is viewed as a benchmark for self-reliance in China's tech industry [5]. - A partnership with Huawei was announced for the development of the Leap Motor App on the HarmonyOS platform, indicating a commitment to deeper collaboration in technology and business [5]. Group 3: Future of Advanced Driver Assistance Technology - The company anticipates a significant breakthrough in higher-level ADAS technology by 2026, suggesting a strategic focus on following industry trends rather than leading them [10]. - Leap Motor's founder noted that the company has adopted a strategy of closely following advancements in the ADAS field, which has allowed for reduced consumption of resources compared to being a pioneer [9].

Core Viewpoint - Leap Motor has unveiled its flagship model, the D19, targeting the 300,000 yuan price segment, despite its average vehicle price being below 110,000 yuan [2][4][16]. Group 1: Product Launch and Positioning - The D19 is positioned as a high-tech luxury flagship SUV, built on Leap Motor's D platform, and is expected to be the first model to challenge the 300,000 yuan price point [4][12]. - The D19 is claimed to incorporate six industry-first technologies and features components from globally recognized suppliers, emphasizing a premium build quality [4][17]. - The vehicle is anticipated to be available for pre-sale in the first half of 2026, although specific pricing details have not yet been disclosed [4][12]. Group 2: Marketing and Brand Image - Leap Motor has appointed actor and singer Fei Xiang as the brand ambassador for the D series, which has sparked confusion among consumers due to a mismatch between his fan base and the brand's target demographic [3][5]. - The average price of Leap Motor vehicles is around 110,000 yuan, with the most expensive model priced at 180,000 yuan, indicating that the brand primarily appeals to lower-middle-class consumers [5][14]. Group 3: Technology and Development Strategy - Leap Motor's Vice President, Cao Li, stated that the company will not use Huawei's advanced driving system, opting instead to develop its own high-level autonomous driving technology [3][8]. - The company plans to invest over 50 billion yuan in research and development from 2025 to 2030, with more than 15% of its annual R&D budget allocated to smart technology [8][11]. - Leap Motor aims to achieve L4 level autonomous driving by 2026 and plans to launch its "Leap Smart Driving 4.0" system by 2028 [8][11]. Group 4: Market Challenges - Despite rising sales, Leap Motor's average vehicle price has been declining, with projections indicating a drop to 109,500 yuan in 2024 [16][17]. - Entering the 300,000 yuan market poses significant challenges, as the brand's established image as a value-for-money option may not resonate with high-end consumers [17]. - Leap Motor's self-research strategy faces risks, including the need for substantial upfront investment and the potential for technological advancements to lag behind competitors [11][17].

Core Insights - The article discusses the competitive landscape of Chinese automotive companies in the luxury segment, highlighting the emergence of new models and strategies in response to the growing demand for electric and extended-range vehicles [1][2]. Group 1: New Product Launches - Geely has introduced three models in the high-end segment under its 9 series, including Zeekr 009, Zeekr 9X, Lynk & Co 900, and Galaxy M9, targeting different price ranges [1]. - Leap Motor has unveiled its high-end model D19, available in both pure electric and extended-range versions, featuring advanced battery technology and high-quality components [2][5]. Group 2: Battery and Range Innovations - The D19 model features an 80.3 kWh battery with a pure electric range of up to 500 km, utilizing a strategy of larger batteries and smaller fuel tanks [5][7]. - Leap Motor's approach to extended-range vehicles is unique, as it aims to maximize electric usage while providing a small fuel tank as a backup for long trips [7][11]. Group 3: Market Positioning and Strategy - Leap Motor's product strategy differs from competitors, categorizing its offerings into four lines based on size and price, with the D series targeting the premium market [12]. - The company has historically launched models from lower to higher price segments, aiming to build brand recognition before entering the high-end market [13]. Group 4: Cost Management and Supplier Strategy - Leap Motor emphasizes using top-tier suppliers for critical components while focusing on in-house development for other parts to manage costs effectively [14]. - The company has made significant advancements in self-developed components, achieving lower defect rates compared to previous suppliers [14][15].

Core Viewpoint - Leap Motor's flagship D19 model showcases advanced technology and competitive pricing, positioning itself strongly in the market against established competitors [3][14][60]. Group 1: Product Features and Technology - The D19 features an 80 kWh range extender battery with a range of 500 km and a pure electric version with a 1000V architecture, highlighting its technological advancements [3][24]. - The vehicle is equipped with the Qualcomm dual 8797 chip, which offers a computing power of 1280 TOPS, making it a significant player in the industry [36][42]. - Key components of the D19 are sourced from top suppliers, including CATL batteries and Bosch steering systems, indicating a shift from previous cost-cutting measures to a focus on quality [18][52]. Group 2: Marketing and Brand Positioning - Leap Motor has adopted a more aggressive marketing strategy for the D19, contrasting its historically low-key approach, which included cost-saving measures in previous launches [5][13]. - The brand aims to maintain its identity as a "tech equality" company, ensuring that the D19 is not priced as a luxury vehicle despite its high-end features [21][23]. - The D19 is positioned competitively against models like the AITO M9 and Li Auto L9, with a target price range that could potentially undercut these competitors [43][56]. Group 3: Cost Management and Self-Development - Leap Motor continues to emphasize cost efficiency through self-developed components, which now account for 65% of the BOM cost of each vehicle [54][56]. - The integration of the drive and generator into a single unit in the D19's dual motor system exemplifies the company's strategy to reduce costs while maintaining performance [28][30]. - The company has plans to expand its self-developed parts to further reduce reliance on external suppliers, enhancing its competitive edge [52][55]. Group 4: Market Performance and Future Outlook - In the first nine months of the year, Leap Motor delivered nearly 400,000 vehicles, surpassing a cumulative delivery of 1 million units, indicating strong market demand [58][60]. - The introduction of the D19 is timely, as it aims to capture a growing market for large electric SUVs while enhancing the brand's image and product line [61][62]. - The company remains cautious about future competition and market dynamics, recognizing that maintaining leadership in the automotive industry requires continuous innovation and customer focus [66][68].