Li Auto

Li Auto (理想汽车) is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer founded in 2015 by entrepreneur Li Xiang. Unlike most Chinese EV start-ups, the company built its early success almost entirely on extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) - cars driven by electric motors but carrying a small petrol engine that acts solely as a generator to recharge the battery on long trips. This approach sidesteps range anxiety while keeping a usable electric driving range for daily commuting.

The brand focuses on large, technology-heavy family vehicles. The L-series - L6, L7, L8 and the flagship L9 - covers the mid-to-full-size SUV segment, typically with six-seat, two-plus-two-plus-two layouts aimed at Chinese families. In 2024 the company added the MEGA, a fully electric MPV, marking its first move beyond range-extender powertrains.

The L9 is the brand’s flagship. Launched in 2022, the first generation helped define the template for the modern Chinese premium SUV: three rows of seats, multiple displays, and a long list of comfort features at a price well below imported luxury rivals. Its second generation moves to an 800V architecture and adds steer-by-wire and four-wheel steering.