- Li Auto reported that by the end of September 2026 it had delivered 31,817 vehicles in the month and 1,833,651 year to date, while preparing to launch the 2026 all electric Li i6 SUV in China and Europe, featuring in house 5C batteries and new computing hardware.
- The Li i6 shift away from CATL batteries and toward internal battery and chip design points to tighter control over costs, supply security and product differentiation at a time when Li Auto is already supporting a sizeable on road fleet.
- We will now examine how Li Auto's investment narrative could be influenced by the Li i6 launch with in house batteries.
Scan how Li Auto’s push into in house batteries compares with other EV players by checking the hand picked 92 AI infrastructure stocks riding the build out of charging and computing capacity.
Li Auto Investment Narrative Recap
For Li Auto, the core belief is that its shift from extended range hybrids to pure battery electric vehicles and software heavy cars can support a much larger business over time. That vision now depends on turning high vehicle deliveries into better unit economics while funding heavy AI, charging and R&D spending without stretching the balance sheet too far.
The Li i6 launch with in house batteries looks like the key near term operational test. It is a chance to prove Li Auto can control more of its tech stack without disrupting volumes or quality. The main immediate risk remains high cash burn if sales, especially for new BEVs, do not support ongoing AI and capacity investments.
The most relevant new information is the scheduled October 28 launch of the 2026 Li i6, with deliveries planned to start in early November and display units rolling into 485 Chinese stores from October 11. That timing turns the i6 into the practical near term catalyst investors will watch, focusing on showroom traffic, orders and any early feedback.
This model is also Li Auto's first all electric global product, heading to the Paris Motor Show and positioned for a push into Europe in Q4. That move connects directly to both the opportunity and the risk in the story. International expansion can broaden revenue sources, but also adds regulatory, branding and capital demands on a business that is still loss making.
Li Auto's current earnings sit at a loss of CN¥4.6 billion, while analysts forecast earnings of CN¥5.9 billion by 2029 on revenue of CN¥161.2 billion. This implies annual revenue growth of 15.4% and an earnings swing of about CN¥10.5 billion from today to the 2029 consensus estimate.
Uncover why Li Auto's fair value indicates a 36% potential upside to its current price, which could narrow quickly.
Exploring Other Perspectives
One alternate view focuses on margin risk rather than delivery momentum. Those most cautious on Li Auto were, before this news, working with revenue of about CN¥120.8b and earnings of roughly CN¥3.7b by 2029. That is well below the consensus, and it shows how sharply opinions can diverge. Treat this i6 launch as a chance to reassess both stories.
Explore 3 other Li Auto fair value estimates, including one that suggests it could be worth just $14.58!
The Verdict Is Yours
Don't just follow the ticker. Dig into the data and build a conviction that's truly your own.
- A great starting point for your Li Auto research is our analysis highlighting 2 key rewards that could impact your investment decision.
- See our latest analysis for Li Auto. The report includes a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual, the Snowflake, making it easy to evaluate Li Auto's overall financial health at a glance.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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