Chinese electric vehicle maker Li Auto is going to launch an MPV model to expand its product matrix, autohome.com.cn reported Friday.
"There's no more news on the model yet, but what is certain is that Li Auto is actively pursuing the MPV project," the report said.
Li Auto has been trying to cater to family car needs, and an MPV model would certainly reinforce that impression in the minds of potential consumers.
In fact, in 2019, media reports have released images of what is purported to be the Li Auto MPV. See the images below.
However, after several rumors, Li Auto CEO Li Xiang previously said on Weibo that there is no MPV model in Li Auto's product plan.
According to Li, if the MPV's chassis is given a battery, it will lose the MPV's space and the convenience advantage of getting in and out of the car, and the MPV's high wind resistance coefficient will also increase the energy consumption of the electric drive system and weaken the range performance, he said.
In June, Li Auto's sole model, Li ONE, delivered 7,713 units, up 320.6 percent year-on-year and 78.4 percent from May, setting a record for Li Auto's highest single-month delivery volume.
Li Auto's new orders exceeded 10,000 in June, also the highest record, the company said.
Li Auto delivered a total of 17,575 units in the second quarter of this year, up 166.1 percent year-on-year and 39.7 percent from May, setting a new record for quarterly deliveries.
Li Auto delivered record 7,713 units in June, up 320.6% year-on-year