More and more Chinese automakers are making their way onto the best-seller lists across all brands. However, these best-selling domestic vehicles are still primarily in the low-price range, typically around 100.000 yuan. The challenge of moving products and brands upmarket continues to trouble the vast majority of independent automakers.
The new energy vehicle market presents a significant opportunity for these companies. In this new arena, traditional brand barriers have weakened. The company that can seize this opportunity and produce vehicles that meet consumers' real needs will have a promising future. Sales figures play a decisive role in determining a vehicle's success.
Take the recently launched Li Auto L9. for example. Although its price of 459.800 yuan isn't exactly cheap, it managed to deliver 10.123 units in September alone, just one month after deliveries began at the end of August. This performance exceeded the expectations of both industry insiders and outsiders. I believe the success of the Li Auto L9 is partly due to the market foundation established by the Li Auto ONE and partly because the L9 genuinely addresses some real, existing needs through its product design.
Domestic consumers' understanding of cars has matured significantly; they are far beyond the "just happy to own a car" phase. Particularly for those capable of purchasing a high-priced vehicle, while they may not have owned countless cars, the Li Auto L9 is certainly not their first private car. From my communication with some L9 owners, many of whom are previous owners of luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche, with some even owning million-yuan models, it's clear that their decision to choose the L9 isn't merely driven by curiosity. More importantly, the Li Auto L9 not only solves the issues related to purchase and driving restrictions but also addresses the range anxiety typically associated with electric vehicles as an extended-range electric vehicle.
The Li Auto L9 is equipped with a 44.5 kWh ternary lithium battery, providing a CLTC pure electric range of 215 kilometers, sufficient for daily commutes. It also offers the convenience of a 0.5-hour fast charge. Additionally, it features a 1.5L range extender engine and a 65L fuel tank, enabling a WLTC combined range of 1.100 kilometers.
When compared horizontally, the Li Auto L9's range indeed surpasses that of traditional full-size fuel SUVs. It also features dual motors, an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, a maximum power output of 330 kW, and a maximum torque of 620 Nm, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.3 seconds. Its performance is comparable to that of luxury models like the BMW X7 M50i with V8 engines.
Of course, range and power alone do not address all consumer needs, nor are they the primary reasons for choosing the Li Auto L9. As a full-size SUV, the L9's dimensions—52181998800 mm, with a 3105 mm wheelbase—ensure ample interior space and commendable comfort for all three rows of seats. This meets the fundamental need of a family car: providing a comfortable travel experience for all members of the family.
But the Li Auto L9 is not just about size. During pre-launch tests, its seats left a strong impression. Even the third-row seats support electric adjustment and heating, which is rare in six- or seven-seat SUVs. The seats themselves incorporate 3D comfort foam and Nappa leather, offering a pleasant touch and feel that reminded me of the Mercedes GLS, delivering a similar level of comfort.
Personally, I particularly appreciate the first and second-row seats, which feature side-wing heating, seat ventilation, and ten-point massage functions. For someone like me, in middle age, these comfort features are more valuable than just leather and stitching. The second-row right seat is uniquely designed with a four-way power-adjustable leg rest and a well-designed small table, allowing the passenger not only to recline comfortably but also to handle some work on the go.
Some have even suggested that kids could start their homework early after school in the car, though I think that might be challenging. Parents' first task would be to keep their kids from getting too distracted by the large screens. The Li Auto L9’s five-screen three-dimensional space interaction concept is quite intriguing. Some say it's like designing a TV, but in the days when even the Mercedes S600 lacked a central control screen, being able to enjoy entertainment on the go was one of our dreams for cars, wasn’t it?
In my view, once a car meets the basic requirements of powerful performance, comfortable seating, and safety, its ultimate evolution is in smart and entertaining features. While the future remains uncertain, for now, the Li Auto L9’s ability to link HUD displays and safety driving interaction screens to project various driving information and vehicle statuses onto the windshield, allowing the driver to keep their eyes on the road throughout the journey, is exactly the kind of feature we wished for during our novice driving days, in congested urban traffic, or on highways.
Reducing the complexity of driving operations is the fundamental purpose of automotive intelligence and a key area of focus for all major automakers. Similarly, when taking elderly parents and children on trips, have you ever worried that the elders might feel bored or feared endless tantrums from the kids? And then there's that dreaded question from all parents: “Mom and Dad, how much longer until we get there?” The large rear screen in the Li Auto L9. offering vast entertainment and educational resources, is the perfect solution to these concerns.
The Li Auto L9 has many more product highlights, but in my opinion, the fundamental reason for its strong sales lies in its focus on family use. It addresses many travel-related concerns and issues, such as spacious comfort, diverse entertainment options, and extended range. While these may not be exclusive advantages of the Li Auto L9. its price of 459.800 yuan makes it a "high-value" representative in the full-size SUV segment.
