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Li Auto has introduced its first model in a new range of high-end, all-electric SUVs, marking its entry into China’s premium electric vehicle segment with models priced above CNY300,000 (USD41,700). The company’s latest release directly competes with Tesla, Nio, and other established brands in this space.
The new model, launched on July 29, is priced starting at CNY321,800. It features a super-fast 5C charging battery and is available in two configurations: 90.1 kWh and 97.8 kWh, delivering single-charge ranges of 670 km and 720 km, respectively.
This SUV is the first in the company’s i-series, with the upcoming i6 expected to debut in September. The Beijing-based automaker maintains three primary product lines: the L-series for extended-range electric vehicles, the i-series for fully electric models, and Mega, which comprises luxury multipurpose vehicles.
The brand aims to become a leading name in the pure electric vehicle industry within three years. The focus of the i-series is on enhancing user value, according to Vice President Liu Jie, who spoke at the Shanghai Auto Show in April.
Industry analysts are closely watching whether the i8 will succeed in the highly competitive luxury electric SUV market. The segment remains constrained, with relatively few standout models so far. Consumer concerns over charging infrastructure—often referred to as “charging anxiety”—continue to be a significant barrier, according to China International Capital.
To support this new model, Li Auto has integrated its advanced vision-language-action intelligent driving assistance system along with the Lixiang Tongxue AI model. The company is also ramping up the installation of ultra-fast charging stations to ease charging worries, currently operating more than 3,000 charging points nationwide.
Between January and April, fewer than 80,000 premium electric vehicles priced above CNY300,000 were sold in China. During the same period, plug-in hybrids and extended-range models made up about 90 percent of the electric vehicle market, according to China Passenger Car Association data.
Although Li Auto led the hybrid vehicle market in the CNY300,000 to CNY400,000 range last year, it fell behind Seres Auto with its M9 model in the over-CNY400,000 segment. Launching the new all-electric i8 marks a strategic move for the company to strengthen its presence in the pure electric segment, especially after experiencing slower growth with its extended-range lineup.
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