Li Auto

Corporate brand

Chinese new-energy vehicle manufacturer known for extended-range electric SUVs and an expanding battery-electric vehicle lineup.

Last updated November 2, 2026

AI crawler reads

No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.

Overview

Li Auto Inc., commonly known in Chinese as Lixiang, is a Chinese new-energy vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Beijing, with manufacturing, engineering, and design operations in Changzhou, Jiangsu. The company was founded in 2015 by Li Xiang, an internet entrepreneur associated with PCPop and Autohome. It initially operated under the name Beijing Chehejia Information Technology, with a business concept centered on the relationship between cars and households. The company’s original plan focused on low-speed electric vehicles for car-sharing and ride-hailing services. A proposed 2018 cooperation with DiDi, China’s leading ride-hailing platform, did not ultimately proceed. During the first half of 2018, Chehejia abandoned the low-speed vehicle project after it became clear that the relevant vehicle category lacked sufficient central-government support for legalization. The company subsequently shifted toward passenger vehicles for the conventional consumer market. In 2019, its Cayman Islands holding company adopted the name Leading Ideal Inc., and in 2020 it was renamed Li Auto Inc. The company’s Chinese brand name is 理想汽车, commonly transliterated as Lixiang. Its first production model, the Li One, was unveiled in April 2019 and entered production at the Changzhou facility in November of that year. Customer deliveries began in early 2020. The Li One established Li Auto’s initial market identity. Rather than relying solely on a large traction battery, it combined an electric drive system and battery with a gasoline-powered range-extender engine. This configuration was intended to provide an electric driving experience while reducing long-distance charging and range concerns for Chinese families. The company subsequently concentrated on premium and upper-mainstream family SUVs, emphasizing cabin space, multiple seating configurations, software, driver-assistance features, and long-distance usability. Li Auto completed its initial public offering on the Nasdaq in July 2020 under the ticker LI. The listing raised approximately US$1.1 billion in the initial financing round, according to the cited reference material. Meituan and Source Code Capital were among the company’s investors. The listing gave Li Auto additional capital and visibility during a period when Chinese electric-vehicle manufacturers were competing for funding, manufacturing capacity, and consumer recognition. The company expanded its production footprint in the early 2020s. Construction of a second plant began in October 2021 in Beijing’s Shunyi District at a site previously associated with Beijing Hyundai. In 2022, Li Auto replaced its original single-model strategy with a broader product portfolio. The flagship three-row Li L9 was introduced in March, followed by the Li L8 and Li L7 later that year. The L8 was positioned as a shorter three-row model, while the L7 used a two-row configuration and targeted customers seeking a large premium SUV without a third row. Li Auto stopped producing the Li One in October 2022. The timing of the discontinuation caused dissatisfaction among some recent buyers, particularly as the newer L-series vehicles represented a substantial design and product-generation change. Nevertheless, the L-series became the core of the company’s range-extender SUV business. In November 2023, Li Auto unveiled the Li Mega, a full-size flagship multipurpose vehicle and the company’s first battery-electric model. This marked a strategic move beyond range-extender vehicles, although the L-series continued to be central to the brand. In 2025, the company introduced the i Series, a fully electric family of vehicles whose design direction drew inspiration from the Li Mega. The Li i8 was introduced in February 2025 and the Li i6 followed in September 2025, according to the cited material. Li Auto’s current strategic identity therefore combines two approaches: extended-range electric SUVs intended to address charging and range anxiety, and a growing battery-electric portfolio intended to compete in the broader premium electric-vehicle market. In a May 2025 earnings call, Li Xiang said that the company would consider sedan products after building further revenue from its existing SUVs and MPV, with future demand in European and Asian overseas markets potentially influencing that decision.

History

Li Auto was established in 2015 by Li Xiang under the original corporate name Beijing Chehejia Information Technology. The name Chehejia can be rendered as “Car and Home,” reflecting the company’s early focus on household mobility. Its initial development program targeted low-speed electric vehicles for shared-mobility and ride-hailing applications rather than premium private passenger vehicles. In 2018, Chehejia reached an agreement to pursue a joint venture with DiDi, China’s largest ride-hailing service provider. The proposal did not proceed. During the first half of that year, Chehejia also abandoned its low-speed electric-vehicle program because the relevant category did not receive sufficient support for legalization from China’s central government. This forced a strategic shift toward conventional passenger vehicles and a different interpretation of the company’s original car-and-home concept. The company reorganized its corporate identity in 2019, when its Cayman Islands holding company became Leading Ideal Inc. The first Li One prototype and production model were unveiled in April 2019. The vehicle used an extended-range electric architecture: its wheels were driven electrically, while a gasoline engine served as a generator to replenish the battery. Production started in November at Changzhou, Jiangsu, and deliveries began in early 2020. The Li One gave the company a recognizable position in China’s rapidly expanding new-energy vehicle market. Its approach attempted to combine the quietness and responsiveness of electric propulsion with the refueling convenience of an internal-combustion range extender. The company concentrated on large family-oriented SUVs, where interior room, seating capacity, and long-distance travel were important purchase considerations. In July 2020, the company shortened its English corporate name to Li Auto Inc. and listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under LI. The initial public offering raised approximately US$1.1 billion in the initial financing round. Meituan and Source Code Capital were identified among its investors. The listing supplied capital for product development and manufacturing expansion, although the company also faced the financing pressures common to young electric-vehicle manufacturers during its first year as a public company. Li Auto expanded its industrial footprint in October 2021 by beginning construction of a second manufacturing facility in Beijing’s Shunyi District. The site had previously been associated with Beijing Hyundai and became part of Li Auto’s effort to increase production capacity. The company’s first manufacturing, engineering, and design operations remained associated with Changzhou, while its corporate headquarters and research-and-development functions were based in Beijing. The year 2022 brought a major portfolio transformation. Li Auto introduced the L9 in March as a larger flagship SUV, then presented the L8 and L7 in September. The L8 served as a shorter three-row model, while the L7 used two rows and a smaller overall configuration. These vehicles replaced the Li One as the center of the brand’s product strategy. Li Auto ended Li One production in October 2022, a decision that drew criticism from some owners who had purchased the earlier SUV shortly before its discontinuation. The next major strategic step came in November 2023, when Li Auto presented the Li Mega. The full-size MPV was the company’s first battery-electric model, extending the brand beyond range-extender SUVs and into a larger, more visibly electric flagship category. In 2025, Li Auto announced the i Series, a battery-electric family whose design direction was influenced by the Li Mega. The Li i8 was introduced in February and the Li i6 in September, according to the cited reference. By May 2025, management was discussing possible expansion into sedans after the company had extracted more revenue from its existing L-series SUVs and Mega MPV. Li Xiang indicated that potential future sedan development could be influenced by demand in overseas markets, particularly Europe and Asia. Li Auto therefore remained primarily identified with family-oriented extended-range SUVs while gradually building a fully electric product architecture and considering a broader international and body-style strategy.

2025
i Series introduced
[1]Li Auto - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Li Auto launched a new fully electric i Series, beginning with the Li i8 and later adding the Li i6.
2023
Li Mega unveiled
[1]Li Auto - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Li Auto presented the Li Mega, its first battery-electric vehicle and a full-size flagship MPV.
2022
L-series portfolio introduced
[1]Li Auto - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
The L9, L8, and L7 expanded the lineup from a single SUV to a family of large range-extender electric SUVs.
2022
Li One production discontinued
[1]Li Auto - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
The original Li One was discontinued in October as Li Auto transitioned to its L-series product generation.
2021
Second plant construction begins
[1]Li Auto - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Li Auto began construction of a second manufacturing site in Beijing’s Shunyi District.
2020
Company renamed Li Auto Inc. and lists on Nasdaq
[1]Li Auto - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
The company adopted the Li Auto name and completed its Nasdaq listing under ticker LI.
2019
Holding company adopts Leading Ideal name
[1]Li Auto - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
The Cayman Islands holding company rebranded as Leading Ideal Inc. and unveiled the Li One.
2019
Li One enters production
[1]Li Auto - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Production of the company’s first vehicle began at its Changzhou manufacturing facility.
2018
Low-speed EV strategy abandoned
[1]Li Auto - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
After a proposed DiDi joint venture failed to progress and the vehicle category lacked sufficient regulatory support, the company abandoned its low-speed EV project.
2015
Company founded as Chehejia
[1]Li Auto - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Li Xiang founded Beijing Chehejia Information Technology, initially pursuing low-speed electric vehicles for shared mobility and ride-hailing use.

Products and positioning

Premium and upper-mainstream family vehicles, combining extended-range electric drivetrains with spacious SUV and MPV interiors, software features, and a focus on reducing long-distance charging anxiety.

Extended-range electric SUV · 2019
Li One
The Li One was Li Auto’s first production vehicle. It used electric propulsion supported by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine acting as a range extender and a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery. The large SUV established the company’s initial family-oriented market position and was produced at Changzhou. Production ended in October 2022 as Li Auto moved to the L-series.
Extended-range electric SUV · 2022
Li L9
The L9 is Li Auto’s flagship large SUV and one of the principal products in its second-generation portfolio. It continues the company’s extended-range electric approach while emphasizing a large cabin, three-row seating, family use, and premium positioning.
Extended-range electric SUV · 2022
Li L8
The L8 is a shorter three-row SUV introduced as part of Li Auto’s 2022 portfolio expansion. It occupies a position below the L9 while retaining the brand’s range-extender architecture and emphasis on spacious, family-oriented interior packaging.
Extended-range electric SUV · 2022
Li L7
The L7 is a two-row SUV introduced alongside the L8 in 2022. It targets customers who want a large premium vehicle but do not require third-row seating, while maintaining Li Auto’s extended-range electric drivetrain strategy.
Battery-electric MPV · 2023
Li Mega
The Li Mega is a full-size flagship multipurpose vehicle unveiled in 2023. It was Li Auto’s first battery-electric model and represented the brand’s move beyond range-extender SUVs into a dedicated battery-electric flagship and larger passenger-vehicle format.
Battery-electric vehicle · 2025
Li i8
The i8 is the first model in Li Auto’s i Series of fully electric vehicles. Its design direction was described as being inspired by the Li Mega, signaling the company’s effort to establish a distinct battery-electric family alongside its L-series range-extender SUVs.
Battery-electric vehicle · 2025
Li i6
The i6 is a fully electric model added to Li Auto’s i Series in 2025. It extends the company’s battery-electric range beyond the initial i8 while retaining the newer design direction associated with the Mega and i Series.

Controversies

2026
Li Auto provides free battery replacements below warranty threshold, questioned as covert recall
Media reports and owner accounts state that Li Auto provided free battery pack replacements to Li L6 (2024) owners whose battery health did not meet the official warranty replacement threshold. Under Li Auto's warranty terms, a free replacement requires battery health below 75% within the 8-year/160,000-km warranty or a battery quality problem. Examples include a Suzhou owner with an 86% reading who was notified of a free replacement without being told the reason or shown a test report, and a Changzhou owner whose work order shows a 60,880-yuan battery pack replacement fully covered by warranty in July 2026. Affected vehicles mostly pair the 2024 L6 with Sunwoda-supplied lithium iron phosphate batteries. Li Auto customer service said the only published standard is battery health below 75% within the warranty period, with other cases handled as battery quality issues at store discretion, and the company had not answered the report's questions by press time. Lawyers quoted said such warranty-based replacements could constitute substituting commercial warranty for the statutory recall required by China's Defective Vehicle Product Recall Regulations if the same batch of batteries has a common defect.
Source
2022
Customer reaction to Li One discontinuation
The decision to stop Li One production shortly after the introduction of the L-series generated negative reactions among some recent Li One buyers, who objected to the rapid transition to newer models.
Source
2021
Alleged mercury found in Li One interior
A video circulated on Weibo in July 2021 showing alleged mercury beads in the seat of a Li One. Li Auto began an investigation and, according to the cited reference, confirmed the authenticity of the reported material.
Source
2021
Li Auto software terms update raises user-rights concerns
In September 2021, reports stated that some Li Auto users received an update to the smart software system agreement. The updated terms reportedly covered the collection of some personal privacy data, disclaimers regarding free services, and permissions for information push. According to the reports, users who did not agree to the updated agreement could not continue using their vehicles. The reports framed the update as raising concerns about user rights, centering on the combination of personal data collection, service disclaimers, and push permissions in the agreement, together with the reported consequence that disagreement would prevent continued use of the car.
Source
2021
Li Auto faces protests from existing owners over new Li ONE
Li Auto faced widespread protests from existing owners following the release of the new Li ONE, according to the article.
Source
2021
Ideal Auto customers allege concealment of new-model information
A report says Ideal Auto was alleged to have concealed information about a new model and induced customers to buy older models to clear inventory; the allegations were described as continuing to develop.
Source
2021
Li Auto owners launch consumer-rights campaign over new model launch
Owners of 2020 Li Auto ONE vehicles joined a consumer-rights campaign, with some alleging that Li Auto sales staff had withheld information about the new model and that its launch after their purchases sharply reduced their vehicles’ value.
Source
2021
Li Auto owners protest the 2021 Li ONE launch
Owners of older Li ONE vehicles protested after alleging that Li Auto sales staff had concealed the arrival of the 2021 model before they purchased their cars. The allegations were made by owners and were not established as a finding in the source.
Source
2021
Li Auto faces owner backlash over new-model sales disclosures
Li Auto faced public criticism from owners who said sales staff had told them before the new Li ONE was launched that no new model would arrive during the year or gave them other information that influenced their purchase of the previous model. The article reported that Li Auto and founder Li Xiang had not responded by publication.
Source
2020
Li One braking and smoke-odor reports
Media reports in spring 2020 described a Li One owner’s concerns about braking-system operation and a separate report of smoke odor in the passenger compartment. Li Auto denied that the alleged defect risk applied to other versions of the SUV.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Consider future sedan modelsStrategy
Background
Management was evaluating how to extend the brand after developing its L-series SUVs and Mega MPV, with possible overseas demand in Europe and Asia as a factor.
Action taken
Li Xiang said Li Auto would consider sedan products after maximizing revenue from the existing lineup.
Aftermath
The statement indicated that sedans were under consideration but did not establish a confirmed production or launch timetable.
Source
2023
Enter the battery-electric MPV segmentProduct launch
Background
Li Auto had been primarily associated with range-extender SUVs and sought to broaden its product and technology portfolio.
Action taken
The company unveiled the Li Mega, a full-size battery-electric flagship MPV.
Aftermath
The Mega became the brand’s first dedicated battery-electric vehicle and influenced the design direction of the later i Series.
Source
2022
Replace the single-model strategy with the L-seriesProduct launch
Background
Li Auto sought to expand beyond the Li One and serve several large-family-SUV segments.
Action taken
The company introduced the L9, L8, and L7, creating a broader range of large extended-range electric SUVs.
Aftermath
The L-series became the central product family, while the Li One was discontinued in October 2022.
Source
2022
Discontinue the Li OneGeneration change
Background
The newer L-series represented a substantial redesign and portfolio expansion after Li Auto’s initial single-model period.
Action taken
Li Auto ended production of the Li One in October 2022.
Aftermath
Some recent buyers reacted negatively because the original SUV was discontinued soon after their purchases.
Source
2018
Exit the low-speed electric-vehicle programStrategy
Background
The company’s initial low-speed EV category lacked sufficient central-government support for legalization, and its proposed cooperation with DiDi did not proceed.
Action taken
Chehejia abandoned the low-speed EV project and redirected its resources toward conventional consumer passenger vehicles.
Aftermath
The strategic change set the foundation for the Li One and the company’s later focus on premium extended-range SUVs.
Source

Recent events

2026-10-29
Li Auto releases updated 2026 Li i6[22]理想汽车发布2026款理想i6finance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2026-10-29
Li Auto released the 2026 Li i6, an updated five-seat SUV with revised equipment and specifications. The stated national retail price is RMB 249,800, with a limited-time launch price of RMB 239,800.
2026-10-28
Li Auto offers limited-time price for i6[23]理想汽车限时优惠价销售 i6technode.com
Reported: 2026-10-29
Li Auto offered the i6 at a limited-time price of RMB 239,800, compared with its starting list price of RMB 249,800; the offer was available through November 30.
2026-10-28
Li Auto launches updated i6 SUV[23]理想汽车限时优惠价销售 i6technode.com
Reported: 2026-10-29
Li Auto launched the 2026 version of its i6 electric SUV, adding an in-house assisted-driving chip and a larger battery.
Unconfirmed
Li Auto launches the Lianshan electric technology system[24]理想汽车发布“连山”电动技术体系k.sina.com.cn
Li Auto held an electric technology event in Beijing and formally launched its Lianshan electric technology system, covering batteries, electric drives, charging equipment and a self-built supercharging network.
2026-10-16
Mach Intelligent Cores completes first-round financing[25]芯擎智能完成首轮融资autonews.gasgoo.com
Reported: 2026-10-20
Li Auto announced that its chip subsidiary, Mach Intelligent Cores Limited, signed a first-round equity financing agreement totaling RMB 1.625 billion. Li Auto will retain a 74.01% stake and continue to control the subsidiary.
2026-09-02
Li Auto teases launch of next-generation Li MEGA for September 2[26]理想汽车预告新一代理想MEGA将于9月2日发布finance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2026-08-26
Li Auto founder and CEO Li Xiang announced on Weibo that the next-generation Li MEGA will be launched on September 2, highlighting an original design, a new interior distinct from other Li Auto models, and a main cabin light for the living-room mode. Xiaomi's Xu Jieyun reposted and praised the MEGA as a good car.
Unconfirmed
Li Auto announces Li i9 launch plan for mid-September[27]理想汽车宣布理想 i9 计划 9 月中旬发布finance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2026-08-27
At Li Auto's Q2 2026 earnings call, president Ma Donghui said the Li i9, a pure-electric flagship six-seat SUV, is planned for official launch in mid-September, expanding Li Auto's pure-electric lineup.
2026-08-26
Li Auto reports Q2 2026 financial results[28]理想汽车公布2026年第二季度业绩finance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2026-08-26
Li Auto reported Q2 2026 total revenue of RMB 25.7 billion, down 15.1% year over year, with vehicle sales revenue of RMB 24.1 billion and a non-GAAP net loss of RMB 1.5 billion. Deliveries in the period were 98,330 units, down 11.5% year over year, and the company posted an operating loss of RMB 2.3 billion.
Unconfirmed
Li Auto L6 cumulative deliveries exceed 400,000[29]理想 L6 累计交付突破 40 万辆163.com
Reported: 2026-08-15
Li Auto announced that cumulative deliveries of the Li L6 have exceeded 400,000 units since its April 2024 launch; as of August 10 the fleet had driven 10.2 billion km, with 81.38 million smart parking uses and 3.61 million potential accidents avoided by active safety systems.
2026-07
Li Auto provides free battery replacements below warranty threshold, questioned as covert recall[6]Li Auto provides free battery replacements below warranty threshold, questioned as covert recallk.sina.com.cn
Media reports and owner accounts show that Li Auto has been providing free battery pack replacements to Li L6 (2024) owners whose battery health does not meet the official warranty replacement threshold — under Li Auto's warranty terms a free replacement requires battery health below 75% within the 8-year/160,000-km warranty or a battery quality problem. Examples include a Suzhou owner with a reading of 86% who was notified of a free replacement without being told the reason or shown a test report, and a Changzhou owner whose work order shows a 60,880-yuan battery pack replacement fully covered by warranty in July 2026. The affected vehicles mostly pair the 2024 L6 with Sunwoda-supplied lithium iron phosphate batteries. Li Auto customer service said the only published standard is battery health degrading below 75% within the warranty period, with other cases handled as battery quality issues at store discretion, and the company had not answered the report's questions by press time. Lawyers quoted in the report said that if the same batch of batteries has a common defect, such warranty-based replacements could constitute substituting commercial warranty for the statutory recall required by China's Defective Vehicle Product Recall Regulations.

Showing the 10 most recent.

Sources64 sources

Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/li-auto · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled