LI AUTO(US:LI) 起点锂电·2025-11-27 10:18Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the strategic developments of Li Auto in the electric vehicle battery sector, particularly focusing on its self-research and production of batteries to enhance safety, performance, and supply chain stability [3][5][6]. Group 1: Event Information - The 2025 (10th) Starting Point Lithium Battery Industry Annual Conference and Lithium Battery Golden Ding Award Ceremony will be held on December 18-19, 2025, at the Venus Royal Hotel in Shenzhen, with an expected offline attendance of over 2000 and online viewership of 30,000 [2]. Group 2: Li Auto's Battery Strategy - Li Auto aims to regain its leading position in range-extended products by 2026, with a focus on optimizing luxury quality and user experience in its upcoming L series models [3]. - The company has established a joint venture, Shandong Li Auto Battery Co., Ltd., with a registered capital of 300 million RMB (approximately 42 million USD), to focus on self-research and mass production of lithium batteries [3][4]. - Unlike its previous collaboration with CATL, the new partnership with Sunwoda allows Li Auto to lead the design and production processes, branding the batteries as "Li Auto Batteries" [4]. Group 3: Research and Development - Li Auto's battery R&D team has grown to over 200 members, with the company president closely monitoring progress every two weeks to ensure alignment with production timelines [4]. - The battery supply strategy includes a dual approach of "purchasing + self-research joint venture," primarily sourcing from CATL while collaborating with Sunwoda for self-researched battery projects [4]. Group 4: Market Positioning and Consumer Trust - The shift to self-researched batteries will provide Li Auto with greater control over battery specifications, allowing for customized development that aligns with vehicle performance needs [5]. - By producing its own batteries, Li Auto aims to reduce costs and enhance pricing power in a competitive market, while also addressing consumer concerns regarding non-CATL batteries [6]. - The trend of automakers developing their own batteries is becoming prevalent in the industry, with companies like Tesla, Volkswagen, and NIO also pursuing similar strategies [6].