The new Air variants of the Li L7 and Li L8 are expected to eliminate the air suspension and electric suction doors, thus lowering the prices by more than RMB 20,000, local media said.
(Li L7. Image credit: Li Auto)
Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) is likely to offer surprises at the launch of the new SUV Li L7 in two days, a new report hinted.
In addition to the Max and Pro versions, Li Auto will offer lower-priced Air versions of the Li L7, Li L8, local auto media Yiche said in a February 5 report.
The Li L7 and Li L8 are the two lower-priced models Li Auto has on sale. The company's flagship model is the Li L9, which is currently offered in only one version, the Max, with a starting price of RMB 459,800 ($67,820).
On September 30, 2022, the Li L8 went on sale in two versions, Pro and Max, with starting prices of RMB 359,800 and 399,800 respectively. Deliveries for the model began on November 10.
Li Auto originally planned to offer six- and five-seat versions of the Li L8, but later adjusted its strategy and launched the six-seat version of the model as the Li L8. Its five-seat version was previewed on September 22 as the Li L7 and will go on sale on February 8.
Li Auto made the Li L7 a brief appearance when it officially launched the Li L8 on September 30 last year.
The company said at the time that the Li L7 would be offered in two versions, Pro as well as Max, with starting prices of RMB 339,800 and RMB 379,800 respectively.
The Air version of the Li Auto will eliminate features including air suspension and electric suction doors, thus reducing the price of the entry version of the Li L7 to slightly over RMB 300,000, Yiche reported.
The entire Li Auto lineup is now extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), essentially plug-in hybrids, and the entire Li L7 and Li L8 lineup is equipped with air suspension.
With the removal of the air suspension as well as the electric suction doors, the price of the entry version is expected to be reduced by more than RMB 20,000, the report said.
Notably, on January 30, Li Auto founder, chairman and CEO Li Xiang said on Weibo that the Li L9 will remain in the RMB 400,000-500,000 price range, and the Li L8 and Li L7 will continue to target the RMB 300,000-400,000 price range.
Li Auto's midsize Li L6 and non-SUV form factor Li L5 will stick to the RMB 200,000-300,000 price range, he said.
The company will not launch a model priced under RMB 200,000 and will stick strictly to the price range of the three size classes (full-size, mid to large-size and mid-size), he said.
Li Auto is warming up for the launch of the Li L7, which will begin at 20:00 Beijing time on February 8.
Earlier today, the company posted several images of a red Li L7 on Weibo, saying it is the first time it has offered a warm-tinted paint job for its models.
The Li L7 is Li Auto's first five-seat offering and will redefine the family five-seat SUV, bringing a new flagship-level experience for families of three, the company said today.
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