(Yicai Global) Jan. 4 -- Xpeng Motors outdid other new-energy vehicle startups in terms of deliveries in China last year after a strong performance in the final three months.

Xpeng handed 98,200 NEVs to customers in 2021, a surge of 260 percent over the previous year, according to figures released by the Guangzhou-based company on Jan. 1. It delivered 41,800 in the fourth quarter alone.

Li Auto and Nio delivered 90,500 and 91,400, respectively, up 177 percent and 109 percent, according to data they released on the same day. In the fourth quarter, Beijing-based Li Auto shipped 35,200 and Shanghai-based Nio 25,000.

Xpeng handed over 16,000 NEVs last month, a 181 percent gain on a year earlier, outpacing its two rivals for a third straight month. Li Auto delivered 14,100 in December, a 130 percent increase, while the figure for Nio was 10,500 vehicles, up 44.3 percent.

China’s total NEV sales are expected to have risen 1.5 times last year to 3.4 million and may increase 47 percent this year to 5 million, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said on Dec. 17.

Editor: Peter Thomas