- Li Auto has informed some Li i6 order holders that their vehicle deliveries will be delayed due to insufficient battery supply.
- Li Auto encouraged them to opt for versions equipped with Sunwoda batteries to receive deliveries sooner.
Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI, HKG: 2015) continues to face production constraints for the Li i6 due to battery supply limitations, even though the electric SUV has been on the market for four months.
The Chinese automaker has informed some Li i6 order holders that their vehicle deliveries will be delayed because production capacity preparation and ramp-up for "core components" have fallen short of expectations.
Li Auto is encouraging them to opt for the version equipped with Sunwoda (SHE: 300207) batteries for faster delivery, or to switch to another model from the company.
Launched on September 26, 2025, the Li i6 is Li Auto's second pure-electric SUV, with a starting price of RMB 249,800 ($35,960).
Its battery suppliers include CATL (HKG: 3750, SHE: 300750) and Sunwoda.
Li Auto informed some Li i6 order holders that they would still face a 4-6 week wait for delivery, according to a company statement shared by local automotive media outlet Yiche on Thursday.
The company is offering customers willing to switch to Sunwoda batteries an additional 2-year or 40,000-kilometer battery warranty extension. Those opting to switch to another Li Auto model instead can receive an extra RMB 10,000 cash subsidy.
Alternatively, customers may continue waiting for delivery, with Li Auto providing daily compensation of credit points worth RMB 60, capped at a maximum compensation value of RMB 2,000.
Notably, efforts to persuade Li i6 order holders to accept Sunwoda batteries may prove futile.
A month ago, Sunwoda announced that its battery subsidiary, Sunwoda Electric Vehicle Battery Co Ltd (Sunwoda EVB), was sued by Vremt — an affiliated with Geely Holding Group — seeking RMB 2.31 billion in damages.
Vremt alleges that battery cells supplied by Sunwoda EVB between June 2021 and December 2023 contained quality defects, causing financial losses.
This has dealt a significant blow to Sunwoda's brand image and has made consumers cautious about models equipped with its batteries.
Li Auto's Li i6 saw a significant increase in deliveries last month, reaching a record 15,994 units, bringing the total for 2025 to 28,971 units, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.
($1 = RMB 6.9462)
