Leapmotor Lafa 5 Makes European Debut — CEO Zhu Jiangming Targets 100,000 Monthly Sales Next Year

If a decade from now people look back on this year’s Munich Motor Show, they may well see it as a defining moment in the shifting balance of power between Chinese and European automakers. This prestigious event, which carries the legacy of the Frankfurt Motor Show, welcomed 103 Chinese companies—30 more than in 2023. Industry leaders such as BYD, Geely, Chery, GAC, Xpeng, Leapmotor, AITO, Changan, and Dongfeng all made appearances, alongside battery giants CATL, EVE Energy, and Gotion High-Tech, autonomous driving innovators like Horizon Robotics and Momenta, and software and hardware suppliers including iFLYTEK, Carlink, and Goodix. As Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius remarked during his keynote, “The Darwinian competition brought by China’s auto industry is sweeping across the globe.”

Among the many overseas-focused “special edition” models revealed, Leapmotor’s debut of the Lafa 5 stood out as a headline moment. The Lafa 5 is a two-box hatchback built on Leapmotor’s latest LEAP 3.5 platform, measuring 4430/1880/1520mm with a 2735mm wheelbase. Designed to go head-to-head with the VW Golf, VW ID.3, and BMW Mini, it embraces a youthful, sporty aesthetic. The front features a sleek full-width light strip with distinctive triple-point DRLs on each side, centrally mounted headlights, and a subtly protruding nose with a black front lip. The side profile showcases smooth, rounded lines, a short-overhang design with a 50:50 weight distribution, hidden door handles, frameless doors, 19-inch wheels, and a roof-mounted lidar. At the rear, Leapmotor’s signature full-width taillights are paired with a large roof spoiler and a sporty diffuser. For performance-minded buyers, the Lafa 5 Ultra adds a more aggressive body kit—sporty front lip, full lower body cladding, and a larger rear wing—positioning it as Leapmotor’s answer to the VW Golf GTI.

The Lafa 5 is expected to feature an 800V architecture with fast-charging capability—giving it a clear edge over rivals like the VW ID.3. With a width of 1880mm, it’s one of the broadest hatchbacks in its class, offering a roomier interior than many global competitors. Leapmotor emphasized that the Lafa 5 has undergone sport-tuned calibration by Stellantis’ top European engineering team, delivering handling and ride characteristics tailored to European drivers’ tastes. The chassis blends intelligent systems with dynamic performance for an engaging drive. The Lafa 5 will launch in China in Q4 2025, with global sales starting in 2026. The Ultra version is scheduled for the first half of 2026.

Leapmotor CEO Zhu Jiangming described the Lafa 5 as a product of the company’s globalization strategy—designed from the ground up for younger buyers. The name “Lafa” reflects the car’s sporty and striking personality. While domestic pricing will be slightly above current models like the C10 and C01 due to higher specifications, Zhu stressed that the value proposition remains strong. Leapmotor’s close alliance with Stellantis—home to Peugeot, Citroën, and Fiat Chrysler—gives it a major advantage in Europe. Many European customers and media already view Leapmotor as Stellantis’ unofficial 15th brand. Through this partnership, Leapmotor has established 1,700 overseas sales outlets, compared to just over 900 in China.

During the Munich Motor Show, Leapmotor reported August domestic sales of 57,066 units, up over 88% year-on-year, marking eight consecutive months of growth and two straight months above 50,000 units. Zhu is bullish on the future, stating, “Next year, we’ll double our sales in China, double them overseas, and hit the critical milestone of 100,000 units per month.” With the Lafa 5 as a global spearhead model, Leapmotor is clearly signaling its intent to be a force in both Chinese and international markets—starting right here in Munich.