A side view of the updated Li L8. Credit: Li Auto
- The new Li L8 will transition from a six-seat to a five-seat layout to avoid cannibalizing the similarly six-seat Li L9.
- The updated Li L8 will feature larger dimensions and a bigger battery pack.
Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) plans to launch the updated version of its Li L8 mid-to-large-size SUV (sport utility vehicle) next month, adjusting the seating layout to optimize its product lineup.
The Chinese automaker said during its first-quarter earnings call on Thursday that the updated Li L8 will be officially launched and begin deliveries in late June, focusing on the flagship five-seat market.
The shift means the Li L8 extended-range SUV will abandon its current six-seat design to avoid cannibalizing the larger, similarly six-seat Li L9.
Li Auto management said that the move is aimed at forming an efficient complement to the flagship six-seat Li L9, consolidating the brand’s position in the premium flagship market.
Notably, the Livis version of the new-generation Li L8 entered a regulatory catalog of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology last month, paving the way for its market launch.
An executive at Li Auto subsequently shared an image of the updated Li L8, saying that the model aims to combine the sporty performance of the BMW X5M with the spaciousness of the Maybach GLS.
The overall dimensions of the Li L8 Livis have been upgraded. The new vehicle measures 5,135 millimeters in length, 2,000 mm in width, and 1,800 mm in height, with its wheelbase extended to 3,045 mm.
The increased dimensions provide significantly optimized rear seating space for the new five-seat layout, elevating the overall riding experience, Li Auto president Ma Donghui said during yesterday’s earnings call.
The currently available Li L8 measures 5,080 mm in length, 1,995 mm in width, and 1,800 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,005 mm.
Its three variants have starting prices of 321,800 yuan ($47,550), 349,800 yuan, and 379,800 yuan, respectively.
Li Auto’s L-series extended-range lineup also includes another model — the five-seat Li L7, which starts at 301,800 yuan.
In terms of powertrain, the Li L8 Livis will be equipped with a 115-kilowatt range extender produced by Li Auto.
It features a 72.7-kilowatt-hour ternary lithium battery pack, with battery cells supplied by Sunwoda (SZSE: 300207).
The large-capacity 5C battery configuration is consistent with the recently launched new Li L9. This allows the new Li L8 to achieve a battery-electric range of up to 343 kilometers under WLTC conditions.
The Li L8 Livis continues the new-generation Li L9’s approach of adding side and rear LiDARs, in addition to the main roof-mounted LiDAR.
The new car also offers a wealth of personalized optional features, including a dual-tone body color and electric retractable running boards.
The model is expected to start adopting Li Auto’s in-house developed M100 smart driving chip, similar to the updated Li L9.
The update to the Li L8 closely follows the generational shift of the flagship Li L9. Li Auto just launched the updated Li L9 on May 15, with the higher-end Livis version starting at 509,800 yuan.
The intensive product line updates come as the company faces declining sales of older models. With consumers generally adopting a wait-and-see approach while anticipating new models, market demand for previous versions has been significantly suppressed.
In April this year, deliveries of the Li L8 plunged to 1,457 units, plummeting 71.86% year-on-year. Deliveries of the current Li L9 also shrank drastically in April to 452 units, tumbling 88.11% year-on-year, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.
Despite this, Li Auto’s total deliveries in April still reached 34,085 units, remaining largely flat compared to the same period last year. This was primarily driven by the strong performance of the all-electric SUV model Li i6, which delivered 21,024 units last month.
Li Auto Monthly Deliveries 2024-2026
Month
2024
2025
2026
January
31,165
29,927
27,668
February
20,251
26,263
26,421
March
28,984
36,674
41,053
April
25,787
33,939
34,085
May
35,020
40,856
June
47,774
36,279
July
51,000
30,731
August
48,122
28,529
September
53,709
33,951
October
51,443
31,767
November
48,740
33,181
December
58,513
44,246
Li Auto monthly deliveries
2024
2025
2026
With the launch of the new Li L8 and Li L9, Li Auto is betting that these higher-margin extended-range models can revive its overall sales momentum.
The company is also accelerating its global expansion pace to seek new growth engines. The international exclusive version of the new Li L9 is scheduled to be officially launched in the third quarter of 2026, landing first in markets such as Central Asia and the Middle East.
Li Auto is attempting to counter fierce domestic competition by expanding its overseas footprint.
($1 = 6.7674 yuan)
