During a media briefing held following the 2026 Leapmotor Technology Day event this morning, Zhu Jiangming, founder, chairman, and CEO of Leapmotor, alongside senior executives Lao Li, Zhou Hongtao, Wu Cun, and Song Yining, engaged in discussions with journalists. In his technology day presentation, Zhu emphasized that the LEAP 5.0 vehicle architecture will debut in the first product from Leapmotor's upcoming second brand, slated for next year. He expressed confidence that the new category of vehicles would astonish the market, drawing a parallel to the transformative shift from feature phones to smartphones.
"Broadband wireless communication wasn't invented by Apple, nor was the computer, touchscreen, digital camera, or MP3 player. However, Steve Jobs excelled at integrating functions, fostering ecosystem innovation, and perfecting product design, which created today's Apple," Zhu explained. "At Leapmotor, we aspire to achieve similar innovation and become the Apple of the automotive sector."
In today's dialogue, Zhu elaborated that a quick glance at new energy vehicles makes it challenging to distinguish them from traditional fuel-powered cars, as their exteriors remain similar, and interior functional layouts haven't changed fundamentally. He compared this to the limited capabilities of old feature phones, whereas from the iPhone onward, Apple revolutionized the phone by integrating DSLR cameras, MP3 players, and office-capable computers into one device—a testament to true innovation.
He noted that as new energy vehicles complete the transition in energy and powertrain systems, autonomous driving technology continues to advance with fewer required interventions, making driving more effortless. This evolution will significantly alter vehicle forms, prompting Leapmotor to conceive its second brand. The goal is for the first model of this brand to mirror how the iPhone replaced traditional feature phones, delivering a revolutionary change.
"When we unveil our second brand, you'll see it's a mobile space—a complete entity," Zhu revealed. He confirmed that Leapmotor's second brand will make its debut and commence deliveries in the fourth quarter of next year.
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