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Li Auto Admits Slowdown, Sets Two-Year Product Cycle and Bigger AI Bet

The shift follows an autumn strategy review to regain pace against fast-moving rivals.

Overview

  • At an October strategy meeting, the company acknowledged that efficiency had slowed and that its product and organizational cadence lag current competition, according to 36Kr reporting cited by IT Home.
  • Li Auto will compress platform iterations from four years to two years and has convened suppliers to align with the faster release tempo.
  • Future models will emphasize clearer design separation rather than relying on configurations alone, indicating a break from a uniform family look.
  • The company is increasing spending on compute and in-house chips, with monthly outlays reportedly above ¥100 million, a first‑generation chip now in vehicle testing and expected on a flagship next year, and a second‑generation inference‑focused chip targeted in about two years.
  • To speed exports, Li Auto plans R&D centers in Germany and the United States, new retail sites in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and 2026 launches designed to meet overseas regulatory requirements.