Li Auto Reports Record Deliveries Amid Market Challenges
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 01 2025
0mins
Should l Buy LI?
Li Auto Inc. saw its stock rise by 3.75% as it reached a 20-day high, despite the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 both declining over 0.8%.
The company reported delivering 27,668 vehicles in January 2026, which, while reflecting strong demand, also marked a 7.55% year-over-year decline. This decline indicates intensified competition in the premium SUV market, which could impact future market share. However, the rollout of OTA update version 8.2 and the expansion of its retail and charging infrastructure are expected to enhance user satisfaction and support future sales growth.
Despite the recent challenges, Li Auto's cumulative deliveries have reached 1,567,883, showcasing its ongoing efforts in the electric vehicle market. The company is well-positioned for future growth, particularly with its extensive retail network and charging infrastructure.
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Analyst Views on LI
Wall Street analysts forecast LI stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LI is 21.12 USD with a low forecast of 17.00 USD and a high forecast of 32.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
11 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
8 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 17.790
Low
17.00
Averages
21.12
High
32.00
Current: 17.790
Low
17.00
Averages
21.12
High
32.00
About LI
Li Auto Inc is a holding company primarily engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, and sales of smart electric vehicles. The Company’s main products include the Li L9, Li L8, Li L7, Li L6, and Li MEGA, encompassing six-seat sport utility vehicles (SUVs), five-seat SUVs, and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs). The Company is also engaged in research and development activities relating to intelligent vehicle technologies, the design, development and manufacturing of various components and systems for new energy vehicles, and the provision of value-added services such as charging, vehicle maintenance and repair. The Company mainly conducts its businesses within domestic market.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Policy Impact: The reinstatement of a 5% purchase tax on new energy vehicles starting January 1 ends over a decade of exemptions, likely further suppressing consumer purchasing intentions and affecting overall sales.
- Intensifying Competition: Brands like Xiaomi and Nio reported year-on-year delivery increases in January, with Xiaomi exceeding 39,000 deliveries, highlighting intensified market competition that may pressure BYD's sales.
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- Declining Deliveries: Li Auto delivered 27,668 vehicles in January 2026, reflecting a 7.55% year-over-year decline, marking the eighth consecutive month of falling deliveries and reaching the lowest level since March 2025, indicating the impact of intensified competition on its L-series hybrids.
- Cumulative Delivery Figures: The cumulative delivery total now stands at 1,567,883 units, showcasing the company's ongoing efforts in the market, but the recent decline in deliveries may adversely affect its future market share and brand perception.
- Retail and Charging Network: As of January 31, 2026, Li Auto operates 547 retail stores and 547 service centers across 159 cities, along with 3,966 supercharging stations nationwide, equipped with 21,945 charging stalls, demonstrating its continued investment in infrastructure development.
- Poor Financial Performance: In November 2025, Li Auto reported a significant decline in third-quarter fiscal results, with vehicle sales dropping 37.4% to $3.6 billion, primarily due to lower delivery volumes and rising costs, which could negatively impact its future profitability.
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- Global Expansion: As of December 31, 2025, XPeng has established 380 physical stores across 60 countries and regions, achieving over 150% year-over-year growth, reflecting a proactive international market strategy despite current delivery challenges.
- New Model Launch: The XPeng P7+ was launched simultaneously in 36 countries and made its European debut at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, aiming to enhance brand visibility and attract more international consumers.
- Financial Performance: In Q3 2025, XPeng reported revenue of 20.38 billion yuan (approximately $2.86 billion), a 101.8% year-over-year increase, although it fell short of market expectations; however, the adjusted net loss per ADS was 0.16 yuan, better than the analyst consensus loss estimate of 0.47 yuan.
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