Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-09-27 02:56Core Insights - Li Auto has officially announced Yi Yangqianxi as its brand ambassador, marking a significant shift from its previous stance of not using celebrity endorsements [1][2][4] - The automotive marketing landscape is changing, with new energy vehicle brands increasingly adopting celebrity endorsements to differentiate themselves in a competitive market [4][28] Brand Strategy - Li Auto's decision to hire Yi Yangqianxi aligns with its strategy to appeal to younger consumers, moving away from its previous focus on middle-aged family-oriented branding [21][23] - The company aims to leverage Yi Yangqianxi's popularity to enhance brand recognition and emotional connection with potential customers [4][21] Market Context - The announcement coincided with the launch of the new Li Auto i6, which is positioned in the competitive price range of 250,000 to 300,000 yuan, directly competing with models like Tesla Model Y and Xiaomi Yu7 [10][15] - The i6 is designed to attract younger families and new middle-class consumers, with features such as an 800V high-voltage platform and fast charging technology [13][15] Financial Implications - The endorsement deal with Yi Yangqianxi is expected to be a significant investment, with costs typically in the tens of millions, reflecting the high stakes involved in celebrity marketing [9][16] - Despite the high costs, if the campaign successfully boosts sales, it could be seen as a smart investment for Li Auto, especially given its current financial health with cash reserves of approximately 106.9 billion yuan [27][21] Competitive Landscape - The trend of using celebrity endorsements is not unique to Li Auto; other new energy vehicle brands like NIO and Xpeng are also increasingly engaging celebrities to enhance their marketing efforts [28][4] - The shift towards celebrity endorsements among new energy vehicle brands indicates a broader industry trend where emotional branding is becoming crucial as technical specifications become more standardized [4][28]