The electric vehicle market is becoming so overcrowded that corporations are finding alternative methods to benefit from it and strike while the iron is hot. Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor officially entered the family vehicle market after unveiling the D99 flagship electric minivan, with manufacturing set to begin in 2026. Considering the current state of the EV market, more and more companies are seeking ways to stand out so that people can gravitate toward them.
Leapmotor: The next upcoming manufacturer in the electric vehicle market
Leapmotor is a Chinese-based corporation founded in 2015 by Zhu Jianming. This makes it part of the newer companies in the automotive industry, who are faced with an uphill battle of gaining a core customer base, as many older companies have. The corporation is mainly associated with developing advanced technology electric vehicles, with its main objective being to amalgamate cars and high-level technology. It sold its first vehicles in 2019 and partnered with Stellantis in 2023, which allowed it to receive more exposure in the European market.
Because the company is relatively new, it has an opportunity to achieve a lot of new milestones by delving into markets that it has not explored in the past. As such, the D99 is part of its 10th-anniversary celebration, making the car an integral part of the company that customers are bound to remember for many generations to follow. For now, Leapmotor is known for its production of EVs and SUVs, but 2026 will be the year that it diversifies its portfolio by entering the family vehicle realm with the electric minivan.
The D99 flagship electric minivan: What does Leapmotor’s newest invention offer?
One of the key components of the D99 is its next-generation electric architecture, which does not exist in most electric vehicles. The minivan comes in pure electric and extended-range options, which makes it a viable option for a wide range of customers. Leapmotor’s general approach appears very intelligent, but only time will tell whether the minivan can match up to the hype that it currently has.
Unpacking the key features of the D99 minivan coming soon
When a company decides to develop a new car, it always has to remember what has brought it success in the past and incorporate those elements into the new vehicle. Leapmotor’s approach is one that shows humility and an understanding that there is no need for them to reinvent the wheel, but instead, they must lean towards what makes minivans appealing to many customers.
The D99, like most minivans, measures over 5.2 meters in length and about 2 meters wide with a 3.1-meter wheelbase, making it equipped to compete against other vans. Its exterior features include an expansive windshield, which significantly improves visibility, flush door handles, and an LED rear light bar, all of which align with the modern-day EVs’ features.
Delving deeper into Leapmotor’s upcoming D99 minivan
The car’s BEV is built on a 1000-volt platform and has a 115-kWh battery, which was provided by CATL. The BEV claims up to 4447 miles of range on the WLTY cycle. On the other hand, the Extended range has an 80.3 kWh battery, which is allegedly the largest ever on a Chinese-based range extender vehicle. Early indications suggest that Leapmotor has left no stone unturned during the production process. Only time will tell, but it is mind-boggling to consider that in 2026, the D99 minivan might end up actively competing with other family-oriented cars like the Nissan MPV.
2026 has already been an exciting year in the automotive industry, with many corporations having released or in the middle of releasing groundbreaking vehicles. For instance, the new Kia Seltos made its debut on January 2, 2026. Leapmotor will be looking to get in and among the pack with its upcoming car. Importantly, this is the Chinese company’s first minivan, conveying the limitless potential that it still has.
