Firstly, it’s important to understand that Li Auto never positioned itself as a luxury brand when it was established. Instead, it boasted about outperforming million-dollar SUVs from brands like BMW, Benz, and Audi. Why not compare with other domestic new energy vehicles? The reason is simple: the configurations are similar, so the differences are negligible!
Regarding Li Auto's extended-range technology, I'm not saying this model is inherently flawed or outdated. It has value as long as it meets market demands. However, one must admit that it is an extended-range vehicle with a battery capacity that is half of what pure electric vehicles offer. The largest battery pack in the Li Auto L9 is about 44 kilowatt-hours, yet it is priced higher than pure electric vehicles of the same class! Since the cost of new energy vehicles mainly comes from the battery, isn't this a bit unfair? For those with a bit of sense, just look at any domestic new energy vehicle that offers both extended-range and pure electric options. The extended-range model is always priced lower than the pure electric one. Why? It’s all about battery pack capacity costs!
Li Auto’s selling points have always been about large screens, refrigerators, and big sofas, which have led to high sales. China aims to overtake in the new energy sector, but if this advancement relies on Li Auto’s large screens and big sofas, it’s truly disappointing!
Li Auto doesn’t have much core technology; it’s essentially a patchwork vehicle. However, its supply chain is impressive, and its marketing is indeed precise and well-targeted, understanding user needs clearly. It achieves high sales due to its emphasis on large screens and big sofas, which raises the question: Is this driving out companies with genuine core technologies and R&D capabilities, pushing them to focus on non-technical features? This means everyone might end up spending more on luxury items like screens and sofas rather than investing in R&D for electric control and battery technology. With extended-range technology, there’s no worry about range anxiety, but if this continues, we’ll never progress!
To put it more plainly, if you wonder why foreign car companies lag behind in new energy vehicles compared to domestic brands, it’s not because of Li Auto’s large screens and big sofas. It's because of companies like BYD, which focus on rigorous R&D of cutting-edge technology. Such companies create a competitive edge for domestic new energy brands, which is why international giants like Toyota are now buying BYD's blade batteries. We should support BYD for having its own technology. Technology changes lives, and innovation leads the future!
However, one must also acknowledge that Li Auto's vehicles themselves are not problematic, and their advantages are evident. They excel in areas visible to the eye. The comfort of the car is good, making it suitable for passengers. As for the driving experience, that's something the driver will know best. In the city, it runs on electricity, and for long trips, it uses gasoline to charge the battery. When the four-cylinder engine charges the battery, the noise is barely noticeable. The vehicle's quietness is well achieved. This is Li Auto: an extended-range model that is relatively expensive and lacks significant technological content, and it’s not a luxury brand!
