- Li Auto is resetting its priorities toward its most certain business, with an overall strategic direction to reclaim leadership in the EREV sector in China.
- In 2026, it will first concentrate on upgrading the Li L9, equipping the extended-range SUV with a larger battery pack and its in-house developed M100 chip.
Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI, HKG: 2015) aims to resume growth in 2026, placing greater emphasis on its core strength in extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), according to a local media report.
The Chinese automaker has tentatively set a growth target of about 40% for 2026, translating to around 550,000 units in sales, 36Kr reported on Tuesday.
For the full year 2025, Li Auto delivered 406,343 vehicles, marking an 18.81% year-on-year decline, according to data compiled by CnEVPost. This makes the company one of the few new startup automakers to see sales drop, driven by a significant slump in its EREVs.
Li Auto's domestic peer Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO, HKG: 9866) aims to achieve 40% to 50% sales growth in 2026, following its 2025 delivery volume of 326,028 vehicles. Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV, HKG: 9868) targets 550,000 to 600,000 deliveries in 2026, representing about 28.1% to 39.7% growth.
Xiaomi EV aims for 550,000 deliveries in 2026, while Leapmotor (HKG: 9863) targets 1 million units sold in 2026.
To achieve its 2026 sales targets, Li Auto is refocusing on its most certain business, with an overall strategic direction to reclaim leadership in the EREV sector, according to 36Kr.
Throughout 2026, Li Auto will likely launch only one new pure-electric SUV (sport utility vehicle), shifting its operational focus back to the EREV market, the report said.
Li Auto's battery electric vehicle (BEV) lineup will also undergo annual upgrades, the report said.
Li Auto is one of China's earliest EREV players, primarily selling L-series EREVs including the Li L6, Li L7, Li L8, and Li L9 — all SUVs.
Its battery electric vehicle (BEV) lineup includes the Li Mega MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) and two SUV models: the Li i6 and Li i8.
The company will prioritize upgrading the Li L9 in 2026 to establish a strong foundation.
The 2026 Li L9 will feature increased dimensions, an upgraded chassis, and a battery capacity exceeding 70 kWh, delivering over 400 kilometers of range per charge, according to 36Kr.
Li Auto's in-house developed M100 smart driving chip will debut in the Li L9, while the SUV's cockpit chip will transition to Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon 8797 chip, per the report.
The true transformation in value and experience will emerge in 2026 when AI systems centered around the M100 chip begin shipping with products, Li Auto founder, chairman, and CEO Li Xiang said during a November 2025 earnings call.
The next-generation Li L9 will also receive design updates, per 36Kr. Li Auto aims to position the Li L9 higher and has projected sales exceeding 100,000 units, the report cited an industry insider as saying.
