Leapmotor, FAW deepen strategic cooperation

Leapmotor and China FAW Group signed an agreement on Monday to deepen strategic cooperation, expanding their collaboration across new energy vehicles, intelligent driving and other key areas of the automotive industry.

Under the agreement, the two will strengthen cooperation in capital investment, NEV development, intelligent driving assistance, powertrains, power batteries, intelligent chassis, body manufacturing equipment, lightweight components, embodied-intelligence robots and financial services.

The move represents a further step in the two companies' efforts to combine their respective strengths in technology, manufacturing and market resources as competition in China's rapidly evolving new energy vehicle sector intensifies.

The new agreement builds on a strategic cooperation memorandum signed by the two companies in March 2025.

Since then, Leapmotor and FAW have made steady progress in equity investment, joint development and introduction of new energy vehicle products, as well as industrial-chain and ecosystem development.

Their first jointly developed vehicle, based on their respective strengths, is nearing mass production.

In addition, FAW is supplying hybrid engines for Leapmotor's global vehicle lineup, marking further progress in their collaboration.

Looking ahead, the two companies said they will establish a more comprehensive cooperation framework covering capital, industry, products, technology and ecosystems.

By coordinating resources and strengthening technological collaboration, they aim to enhance competitiveness and contribute to the high-quality development of China's new energy vehicle industry.

Founded as a technology-driven intelligent electric vehicle maker, Leapmotor has emphasized in-house research and development and manufacturing.

The company says it has developed core technologies covering more than 65 percent of vehicle costs, while achieving more than 88 percent platform commonality. It currently operates 18 self-built factories for core components.

Leapmotor delivered 457,800 vehicles from January to July, up 68.4 percent year-on-year, maintaining its position as the top-selling emerging EV startup in China during the period.

China FAW, founded in 1953, has sold more than 66 million vehicles cumulatively.

In recent years, the automaker has pursued both independent innovation across the automotive value chain and open collaboration, while accelerating its transformation into a technology-driven company.