The Chinese electric vehicle market is buzzing with excitement as two powerhouse companies, XPENG and NIO, redefine automotive performance in 2025.

Throughout the year, these manufacturers have engaged in a thrilling sales competition that has kept industry observers on the edge of their seats. While their growth trajectories have historically mirrored each other, 2025 presented a unique narrative of unexpected turns and impressive achievements.

December marked a particularly exciting month for NIO, which delivered a stunning 48,135 vehicles — shattering its previous monthly sales record and outpacing XPENG's best monthly performance of 42,013 deliveries from October 2025. This remarkable achievement signaled NIO's resurgence after a period where XPENG seemed to be pulling ahead.

The quarterly performance told an equally compelling story. While XPENG had consistently delivered over 90,000 vehicles per quarter, including an impressive 116,000+ quarter, NIO dramatically reversed expectations in the fourth quarter of 2025. The company delivered 124,807 vehicles, eclipsing XPENG's quarterly record of 116,249.

Annual sales painted a nuanced picture of competition. XPENG ultimately claimed the annual sales crown with 429,445 deliveries, significantly outperforming NIO's 326,028 vehicles. This result underscores the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the electric vehicle market, where leadership can shift rapidly.

What makes this story particularly exciting is not just the numbers, but the underlying innovation and competitive spirit driving these companies. Both XPENG and NIO have demonstrated remarkable adaptability and technological prowess, pushing each other to new heights and accelerating the global transition to electric mobility.

As the automotive world watches, these two Chinese manufacturers continue to prove that competition breeds excellence. Their 2025 performance is a testament to the incredible potential of electric vehicle technology and the innovative spirit of the industry.