Chinese carmaker Li Auto launched a pre-emptive strike against US rival Tesla by offering a new six-seat, fully electric SUV to affluent families on the mainland, as competition in the world’s largest automotive market continues to escalate.
Beijing-based Li Auto, one of the only three profitable electric vehicle (EV) makers in mainland China, on Tuesday unveiled the Li i8 – built with autonomous driving technology and a digital cockpit – that would be priced from 321,800 yuan (US$44,889) to 369,800 yuan, with its basic edition able to travel as far as 720km on a single charge.
The Li i8 also comes installed with custom refrigerators and plush sofa-like seats, which are expected to elevate passenger comfort and add another dimension to the features inside a luxury EV.
“Li Auto wants to make itself distinct from other carmakers,” founder and CEO Li Xiang told the online audience at the Li 18’s virtual launch. “We envision building a mobile home for our clients, creating a comfortable space for them when driving.”
Li Auto, founded in 2015, will start delivering the new vehicle to mainland customers from August 20.
The launch puts the Chinese carmaker ahead in this market segment against Tesla, which said earlier this month that its first Shanghai-made six-seat Model Y variant would be available this autumn to local clients.
