Nio, Li, XPeng: Which Chinese EV Stock Has The Most Upside?

Core Viewpoint - All three major U.S.-listed Chinese EV makers, NIO, Li Auto, and XPeng, are currently trading below their consensus price targets, indicating potential investment opportunities at present levels [1]. Upside Analysis - NIO's current market price is $4.61 with a consensus target of $7.62, representing an upside of +65.29% [2]. - Li Auto's current market price is $16.94 with a consensus target of $25.24, indicating an upside of +49.00% [2]. - XPeng's current market price is $18.79 with a consensus target of $21.78, showing a more modest upside of +15.91% [2]. NIO's Position - NIO leads in upside potential due to its low valuation, trading near $4.60, just above a low target of $4 set by Barclays [3]. - The market has factored in significant pessimism regarding NIO's high cash burn and the capital-intensive nature of its battery-swapping network [3]. - Analysts are optimistic about NIO's infrastructure maturity in 2026, betting on its transition to a mass-market player through lower-priced sub-brands [4]. Li Auto and XPeng - Li Auto, with a +49.4% upside, is considered a safer investment due to its consistent profitability, although its upside is lower than NIO's [5]. - XPeng is viewed as fairly valued with only a 16% upside to its consensus target, reflecting investor confidence in its AI and autonomous driving capabilities [6]. - For high-risk, high-reward investors, NIO presents a mathematical edge, while Li Auto offers a balanced option with strong fundamentals and nearly 50% potential upside [6].