李想“挥泪”送张骁，新L7 L8明年要打硬仗

Core Insights - Li Auto is undergoing significant internal changes, highlighted by the departure of Zhang Xiao, the president of the second product line, who has been a key figure in the company's product development since its inception [2][4][20] - The recent struggles of Li Auto, including revenue decline and a shift from profit to loss, signal a critical moment for the company as it prepares for a major overhaul of its L series by 2026 [4][12][19] Company Developments - Zhang Xiao, an early employee and integral to the development of models like Li ONE and L9, is leaving the company amid a tumultuous third quarter that saw a net loss of 624 million yuan [2][12] - His departure is seen as a reflection of the company's need to reassess its product strategy, particularly after the disappointing launch of the i8 model, which failed to meet consumer expectations [4][8][10] Product Strategy Issues - The i8 model, which was intended to penetrate the 300,000 to 400,000 yuan electric SUV market, faced criticism for its configuration choices, leading to a perception of diminished value compared to lower-priced models like the L6 [6][9][10] - Li Auto's attempt to create distinct product lines has resulted in internal conflicts, with the second product line struggling to align with the company's overall strategy, leading to a lack of coherence in product offerings [9][10][11] Financial Performance - Li Auto reported its first net loss in the third quarter of 2025, attributed in part to an 1.1 billion yuan provision related to the MEGA recall, raising concerns about the company's operational stability [12][14] - The company is facing pressure to maintain its historically high gross margin of 20%, with forecasts for Q4 deliveries significantly lower than market expectations, indicating potential challenges ahead [14][15] Future Outlook - The upcoming 2026 L series overhaul is positioned as a critical opportunity for Li Auto to rectify past mistakes and re-establish its market position by simplifying its product offerings and enhancing core features [16][19] - The leadership change with Zhang Xiao's exit is viewed as a strategic move to unify the company's vision and ensure effective execution of the new product strategy [20]