There are young auto companies in China that are compared to Tesla. We’re already turning to Zeekr, now it’s Li Auto (Li Xiang) or just Li.
The company was founded in 2015 and specializes in the production of hybrid cars.
In Russia, Li Auto does not officially offer cars, but they are actively imported and sold by dealerships and private owners.
The first Li Auto cars will begin production in 2019
Li One is Li Auto’s first car.
Li Auto was founded in China in 2015 by Li Xian. In 1999, he created the Autohome website, which is the most popular Chinese car website.
An interesting fact from Xiang’s biography: in 2014, he received one of the first Tesla Model S in China, and Elon Musk showed it at the event.
Also in 2015, another Chinese entrepreneur, Li Bin, invited Li Xiang to co-found NIO, an electric vehicle company. Li Xiang invested several million dollars in NIO and took over as CEO. He wrote this post in 2018 to dedicate his time full time to Li Auto.
In Russia there was confusion over the name of the company. There are variants of Li Auto and Li Xiang. The company is called Li Auto (short version of Li), her website is located at lixiang.com. In addition, this is the name of the company’s CEO Li Xiang in Chinese – Li Xiang.
Li Xiang.
The main idea of Li Auto was to produce cars with a long range and an advanced autopilot.
The company currently has three cars in its product range. And all of them are unofficially sold in Russia.
1. Lee L7
💰 Price: from 6 million rubles
The L7 is a five-seat crossover that is the entry-level model in the Li Auto catalogue. It was introduced in the fall of 2023. Its length is 5.05 meters, width – a little more than two meters.
This is a series hybrid (REV) crossover that combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and two electric motors on the front and rear axles. The total power of the L7 is 449 hp, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 5.3 seconds, and the total range is 1315 km.
The gasoline engine acts as a generator and charges the electric motors that drive the crossover.
The car is equipped with an autopilot that can drive off the road, regulate speed, outrun other cars, detect road works and fences, and also park and exit a parking space using a smartphone.
The car has all the necessary functions for a comfortable ride, massage and seat ventilation.
The car is positioned as an ideal recreational vehicle. The front and rear seats can be folded horizontally, turning the interior into one large bed. The rear 15.7-inch OLED screen can be used for watching movies at night. The car has 21 speakers, half of which are on the ceiling.
In addition, the charging connector can release energy. Therefore, various household appliances can be connected to the device.
2. Lee L8
💰 Price: from 6.5 million rubles
From a technical point of view, the Li L8, introduced at the same time as the L7, is almost a complete copy of it. It has the same engines, range, air suspension and driving characteristics.
The L8 differs from the L7 by having a third row of seats. There are six seats in the car, with two captain’s chairs on the second row.
Otherwise, the L8’s interior is the same as the L7’s. The cars have the same finish and set of functions.
There are three screens on the front panel. The touch mini LED light is built directly into the steering wheel. Driver information is also displayed on a 13.35-inch projection screen.
3. Lee L9
💰 Price: from 6.8 million rubles
The L9 is the brand’s flagship crossover, which was introduced in 2022. It is larger than L7 and L8, measuring 5.2 meters in length.
The car has the same 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and two electric motors (one per axle). The total range is 1315 km, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 5.3 seconds.
All the features available in L7 and L8 are also available in L9. The main difference between the L9 and the company’s other crossovers is its larger interior.
Also, only the L9 has tables on the backs of the front seats for second-row passengers. Otherwise there is no difference between the cars.
Li Auto crossovers have become a real hit in China
In June 2022, more than 30 thousand people pre-ordered the Li L9 in three days and made an advance payment of $750. For a young company and a new model, this is a very good result.
Last year, 133 thousand Li Autos were sold in China, in 2021 – 90 thousand, and in 2020 – 33 thousand.
In addition, the Li L9 became China’s Car of the Year. The company won the competition, in which 86 cars of 46 Chinese brands took part.
By 2025, Li Auto plans to launch five electric vehicles, including one “super-flagship” Mega model, as well as two more serial hybrids (REVs).
Source: Iphones RU
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