Core Insights - The article discusses the need for a second-in-command at Li Auto, highlighting that the current leadership lacks operational strength and complementary skills to Li Xiang [1][3][5] Group 1: Current Issues at Li Auto - There are three main phenomena observed within Li Auto: disorganized departments leading to diluted values, negative public sentiment affecting customer recommendations, and repeated misjudgments regarding market responses to new models [2][3] - The absence of a dedicated individual to manage public relations and customer feedback has resulted in fragmented handling of issues across various departments [2] Group 2: Potential Solutions - The article suggests that if Li Auto had a second-in-command similar to Qin Zhi, the aforementioned issues could be effectively addressed, potentially improving sales and organizational structure [3][6] - The company may need to consider internal candidates like Ma Donghui or look externally for someone who can build mutual trust with Li Xiang, although finding such a candidate is challenging [5][6] Group 3: Future Expectations - Despite current challenges, Li Auto is expected to maintain its ability to adapt and learn from market feedback, as evidenced by adjustments made during the i6 launch [6][7] - The company's future performance in both range-extended and pure electric vehicles will significantly influence its motivation for deeper organizational reforms [7][8]

Core Insights - The article discusses the rising prominence of Li Auto in the autonomous driving sector, particularly its recent advancements presented at the ICCV 2025 conference, where it introduced a new paradigm for autonomous driving that integrates world models with reinforcement learning [1][2][4]. Group 1: Company Developments - Li Auto's research and development in autonomous driving began in 2021, evolving from initial BEV solutions to more advanced systems [5]. - The company has significantly invested in AI, with nearly half of its R&D budget allocated to this area, indicating a strong commitment to integrating AI into its vehicle technology [2]. - Li Auto's recent presentation at ICCV 2025 highlighted its innovative approach, which combines synthetic data to address rare scenarios, leading to a notable improvement in human takeover mileage (MPI) [2][4]. Group 2: Industry Reception - The reception of Li Auto's advancements has been overwhelmingly positive, with many industry observers praising its research and development efforts, positioning it as a model for Chinese automotive companies [2][4]. - Articles from major Chinese AI platforms like Quantum Bit and Machine Heart have garnered significant attention, with one article achieving over 39,000 reads, reflecting the growing interest in Li Auto's developments [1][2]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Li Auto is recognized as a leading player in the Chinese autonomous driving space, with a notable presence in discussions surrounding AI and autonomous vehicle technology [22]. - The company aims to differentiate itself not just as an automotive manufacturer but as a competitive AI entity, aligning its goals with broader AI advancements and the five stages of AI development as defined by OpenAI [18][19].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the design and engineering principles behind the handling and comfort of the Li Auto i6, emphasizing the importance of physical attributes and user experience in vehicle performance [1][3][4]. Summary by Sections Vehicle Dynamics - Vehicle handling and comfort are determined by four main physical attributes: weight, wheelbase, center of gravity, and suspension structure [4][5]. - The tuning process involves a trade-off between "bouncing" and "swaying," where a stiffer suspension enhances handling but sacrifices comfort, while a softer suspension improves comfort but can lead to motion sickness [5][6]. Design Philosophy - The company aims to use rational quantitative data to address subjective user experiences, ensuring that the i6 provides enjoyable driving dynamics within a safe operational range [6][8]. - The i6 is designed to enhance "bouncing" to improve driving pleasure, particularly in the context of a mid-range SUV [5][7]. Hardware and Safety - The i6 features high-end hardware, including a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link suspension, which are typically found in luxury SUVs, contributing to its performance and safety [7][8]. - The vehicle's chassis performance is rated at 90% of its potential to maintain a safety buffer, reducing accident rates [2][8]. Control Systems - The company has developed its own control systems for the vehicle, integrating ESP, steering, and braking to enhance drivability, even for novice drivers [2][9]. - The i6 allows for adjustable performance settings, enabling users to experience driving pleasure without pushing the vehicle to its limits [9][10]. Emotional Experience - The i6 simulates the emotional excitement of driving a supercar without requiring extreme speeds, providing a unique driving experience [10][11]. - The development of the vehicle's chassis is a meticulous process, relying on the expertise of engineers and product managers to ensure high-quality performance [11][12]. Industry Context - The advancement of the Chinese automotive industry has enabled Li Auto to achieve significant self-research capabilities in chassis and software, enhancing the value proposition for consumers [13][14]. - The article highlights the positive feedback loop between improved product quality and rising consumer expectations, benefiting both users and manufacturers [14].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the experiences and perceptions of a user regarding the Li Auto i8, highlighting both positive aspects and areas for improvement in comparison to competitors like Tengshi N7 and other models in the market [1][3][4]. User Experience and Product Evaluation - The user initially had a negative experience with the Tengshi N7, leading to a significant loss upon resale, but found the i8 to exceed expectations in comfort, intelligent features, and charging speed [1][3]. - The i8's comfort level, including seat and chassis performance, was rated highly, with NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performance being notably quiet [3]. - The intelligent driving system of the i8 performed well during long-distance travel, significantly reducing driver fatigue [3]. Critique of Current Products - There is a perception that Li Auto has not fully capitalized on its opportunities, with concerns about the aesthetic appeal of the L series and the MEGA model's design [4]. - The i8's sales performance is seen as underwhelming due to its lack of standout visual appeal and limited color options, which may hinder its market competitiveness [4]. - The i6 model also faces similar aesthetic criticisms despite its strong product capabilities [4]. AI and Intelligent Driving Perception - While the AI features in the i8 are advanced, there are instances of performance issues, such as system lag and incorrect responses, which detract from the overall user experience [5]. - The intelligent driving system, although impressive, has occasional flaws, such as running red lights, leading to a perception that competitors like Tesla maintain an edge in this area [5]. Public Sentiment and Communication - The article notes a significant amount of negative public sentiment towards Li Auto, including various criticisms and safety concerns, which the company has not adequately addressed [6][7]. - There is a call for more proactive communication from Li Auto's management to clarify misconceptions and reassure current and potential customers about product safety and performance [7][9]. Future Product Expectations - Users express a desire for a broader range of models from Li Auto, including more affordable options and luxury variants, to better meet diverse market demands [8]. - The article suggests that addressing public sentiment and expanding the product lineup could enhance Li Auto's market position and customer satisfaction [9].

Core Viewpoint - The article compares the Ideal L9 and the AITO Wenjie M8, highlighting that the Ideal L9 focuses on high quality and subtle ergonomic details, similar to Apple, while the Wenjie M8 emphasizes flashy technological features, akin to Huawei [1]. Group 1: Advantages of AITO Wenjie M8 - The second-row zero-gravity seats in the M8 provide superior comfort, allowing for greater reclining angles and can be used while driving [2]. - The M8 offers a more stimulating technological experience with features like gesture-controlled electric doors and AR-HUD, enhancing consumer appeal [2]. - The driving assistance in the M8 is perceived to have higher efficiency, although it sacrifices some comfort and safety [2]. Group 2: Advantages of Ideal L9 - The L9 boasts higher quality materials and craftsmanship in its interior, with premium leather and chrome, while the M8 is criticized for its plastic feel [3]. - Ergonomics are a significant advantage for the L9, with better seat comfort and design, making it more suitable for long drives [4]. - The L9's blind spot imaging does not obstruct navigation, unlike the M8, which can obscure critical information [5]. - The L9's vehicle system is optimized for in-car use, providing better functionality compared to the M8's system, which is seen as a mere adaptation of a tablet interface [6]. - The L9 features a more advanced voice assistant capable of understanding complex commands, while the M8's assistant is limited to basic instructions [6]. - The L9's driving experience is smoother, with a more responsive throttle, enhancing passenger comfort [6]. - The L9 is designed with family safety in mind, featuring child-friendly elements and better overall comfort [6]. Group 3: Overall Recommendation - The analyst strongly recommends the Ideal L9, stating that despite being on the market for three years, its product strength remains impressive due to meticulous attention to detail [7].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the strategic vision and collaborative efforts of Li Auto as it celebrates its tenth anniversary, focusing on innovation, partnership, and future growth in the electric vehicle industry [5][20]. Group 1: Event Overview - The 2025 Global Partner Conference was held on October 30, 2025, in Changzhou, with over 600 global partners attending to celebrate the company's achievements and discuss future strategies [5][6]. - The theme of the conference was "Win-Win, Innovation, Nexus," highlighting the collaborative ecosystem that Li Auto aims to build with its partners [2][5]. Group 2: Strategic Insights - Li Auto's management team outlined a strategic roadmap for the next three years, focusing on product development, technological advancements, and supply chain improvements [9][10]. - The company plans to accelerate the iteration speed of its technology platforms and products to maintain a competitive edge in the market [4][10]. Group 3: Technological Innovations - The conference showcased innovations such as AI-driven flexible manufacturing, advanced driver assistance systems, next-generation power batteries, and smart chassis technologies [3][20]. - The "Smart Chain Park" exhibited the collaborative achievements of Li Auto and its partners over the past decade, emphasizing the resilience and innovation in the electric vehicle sector [20][21]. Group 4: Recognition and Awards - A ceremony was held to honor partners with awards for technical contributions, quality excellence, and collaborative achievements, reinforcing the commitment to continued partnership and value creation [27][32]. - The awards symbolize Li Auto's gratitude for past contributions and its vision for future collaboration in the electric vehicle industry [27][32].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution and strategic decisions of Li Auto's autonomous driving team, particularly focusing on the development of the VLA (Vision-Language-Action) model, which aims to enhance the driving experience by enabling the system to think like a human rather than merely mimicking driving behavior [3][4][20]. Organizational Changes - On September 19, Li Auto restructured its autonomous driving R&D department into 11 secondary departments to promote a more efficient AI-oriented organization [6]. - The restructuring aims to enhance communication and decision-making efficiency, with all department leaders reporting directly to the head of the autonomous driving team [7]. Technical Development - Li Auto's autonomous driving team initially faced challenges due to late entry into the market, but has since made significant progress by adopting an "end-to-end" approach and now focusing on the VLA model [3][4]. - The VLA model utilizes multi-modal AI to improve the driving experience, emphasizing the system's ability to think and reason [3][4][20]. Industry Reactions - Industry experts, including Huawei and Bosch representatives, have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of the VLA model, citing challenges in multi-modal feature alignment and data training [4][22]. - The criticism from competitors is viewed by Li Auto as validation of the VLA's potential, suggesting that the model's complexity is a necessary step for advancement [20][25]. Future Outlook - Li Auto anticipates that by early next year, significant improvements in the VLA model will be evident, enhancing its competitive position in the autonomous driving market [4][25]. - The company aims to achieve L4 level autonomous driving by 2027, with a focus on building a robust data feedback loop to continuously improve the system's capabilities [43][44].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the future of Li Auto's VLA technology, emphasizing the importance of a reinforced learning loop and the potential for significant advancements in autonomous driving capabilities by 2027 [1][2]. Short-term Outlook - Li Auto aims to establish a reinforced learning loop by the end of 2025, which is expected to enhance user experience significantly, making the vehicle feel more "alive" and responsive [1]. Mid-term Outlook - With the reinforced learning loop in place, Li Auto anticipates surpassing Tesla in the Chinese market due to its advantageous environment for iterative improvements [1]. Long-term Outlook - The VLA technology is projected to achieve Level 4 autonomy, with the expectation of new technologies emerging beyond this milestone [1]. Business Process Transformation - The transition to reinforced learning is not just a technical change but a fundamental business transformation that will create a competitive moat for the company [1][3]. Team Dynamics and Leadership - The restructuring of the autonomous driving team focuses on building a robust business system rather than relying on individual talents, with an emphasis on internal talent development [7][8]. AI and Computational Needs - The current intelligence requirements for driving are considered low, and after the business process reform, clearer insights into computational needs will emerge [3][4]. Competitive Landscape - The article suggests that multiple players will exist in the autonomous driving space, and the narrative of having unique capabilities may not constitute a strict competitive moat [2][8]. Data and Model Development - The importance of data quality and distribution in training models is highlighted, with a focus on addressing corner cases to enhance system performance [9]. Strategic Insights - Li Auto's strategy emphasizes the need for substantial resource allocation and continuous investment in AI technology, akin to the role of Elon Musk at Tesla [8][12]. Organizational Structure - The restructuring of the autonomous driving department includes the formation of various specialized teams to enhance operational efficiency and employee engagement [7][11]. Future Projections - By 2027, the industry may shift away from traditional metrics like MPI, indicating a potential evolution in performance evaluation standards [11].

Core Insights - The article discusses the leadership philosophy of Li Xiang, emphasizing the importance of young talent in research and development, and the unique management styles within the company [1][7][11] Group 1: Leadership Philosophy - Li Xiang believes that experience can be a barrier to research, advocating for a high proportion of fresh graduates in research teams, which currently stands at around 60-70% [1][7] - The company employs different management styles for various teams, including manufacturing, operating systems, and autonomous driving, with a core team of about 200 people dedicated to end-to-end autonomous driving [6][7] - Li Xiang admires Liang Wenfeng's self-discipline and his approach to researching global best practices, which has influenced the company's operational strategies [4][5][11] Group 2: AI and Engineering Insights - Li Xiang expresses confidence in his engineering background, stating that while he may be misled in AI science, he cannot be deceived in AI engineering due to his strong engineering mindset [2][16] - The company has benefited from the open-source project DeepSeek, which accelerated their development timeline for language models by nine months [5][8] - Li Xiang emphasizes the importance of structural questioning in engineering, which aids in improving team efficiency and problem-solving [18] Group 3: Talent Acquisition and Competition - The company is focused on attracting talent by emphasizing its commitment to AI and the importance of real-world applications, which enhances its appeal to potential recruits [10] - Li Xiang notes that while competitors may have larger teams, the company's smaller, focused team has achieved superior product experiences in autonomous driving [6][7] Group 4: Best Practices and Growth - Li Xiang identifies growth as a central theme in his leadership, linking personal development to user value and commercial success [15] - The company aims to internalize best practices, particularly in research and analysis, to enhance success rates in various projects [13][14]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the advancements in Tesla's FSD v14 and explores the potential of VLA (Vehicle Language Architecture) in defining the next generation of autonomous driving solutions, comparing it with WA (World Model Architecture) [1]. Group 1: Technology Discussion - The article highlights the exploration of world models and the future development direction of VLA, questioning the possibility of a unified approach [3]. - It emphasizes the high demand for data and computing power, which is making it increasingly difficult for academia to participate in the intelligent driving sector, while also considering what opportunities remain for academic involvement [3]. Group 2: Expert Insights - The article features insights from various experts in the field, including a senior director from Li Auto's VLA team, a senior algorithm scientist from Bosch, and a parking team leader from Changan Automobile, indicating a diverse range of perspectives on the topic [4]. - The discussion is moderated by a professor from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, showcasing the academic interest in the advancements of autonomous driving technologies [6].