Li Auto plans to launch its flagship pure electric sport utility vehicle, the Li i9, in the second half of 2026, as the company aims to regain momentum following a challenging year.
Founder, Chairman and CEO Li Xiang announced the plan during an earnings call on Thursday, highlighting the model's role in expanding the company's battery electric vehicle (BEV) portfolio. "The year 2026 will be a crucial year for Li Auto to evolve into an embodied AI enterprise. Faced with intensifying competition in the NEV market, we will be committed to raising our technological moat," Li said.
Positioned as the flagship electric model in Li Auto's lineup, the i9 is expected to be larger than the existing Li i8. The i8 measures 5,085 millimeters in length and has a wheelbase of 3,050 mm, indicating the scale of the upcoming model.
The i9 launch forms part of Li Auto's broader 2026 strategy, under which the company is targeting 20% year-on-year growth in vehicle deliveries. This implies annual deliveries of around 490,000 units, following a decline of 18.8% in 2025 to 406,343 vehicles.
Li Auto has encountered difficulties in its transition to fully electric vehicles, with the market performance of the i8 falling short of expectations. The weaker reception was followed by management changes, including the reported departure of Zhang Xiao, president of the company's second product line, late last year.
Beyond new product introductions, Li Auto plans to leverage its continued investment in artificial intelligence to differentiate its vehicles, aiming to enhance user experience through advanced in-car technologies.
The company is also preparing for its first phase of overseas expansion in 2026, which it views as a way to offset growing competition in China's domestic new energy vehicle market.