21世纪经济报道·2026-01-26 09:10Core Viewpoint - The CEO of Li Auto, Li Xiang, emphasized the company's ambition to enter the humanoid robot market and outlined critical timelines for AI development, indicating a strategic shift towards becoming a leading AI company in the automotive sector [6][7]. Group 1: AI Development and Strategic Goals - Li Auto has set 2026 as the last year for companies aspiring to be AI leaders to enter the market, with Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving expected to be realized by 2028 [7]. - The company aims to position itself among the top three global firms in foundational models, chips, embodied intelligence, and operating systems [7]. - Li Auto plans to enhance its brand positioning in embodied intelligence, moving beyond just being a mobile home provider [7]. Group 2: Organizational Changes and Recruitment - To evolve into an embodied intelligence enterprise, Li Auto will undergo a reorganization of its R&D teams, categorizing them into foundational model teams, software teams, and hardware teams [8]. - The company is actively recruiting for various positions related to humanoid robotics, indicating a strong commitment to this new direction [8]. Group 3: Internal Challenges and Employee Sentiment - In 2025, Li Auto faced significant challenges, with annual delivery volumes dropping to 406,300 units, a year-on-year decline of approximately 19%, failing to meet revised sales targets [9]. - The company has experienced a wave of executive departures, marking one of the most challenging periods since its establishment over a decade ago [9]. - Employee feedback indicates confusion and concern regarding the focus on AI during the recent all-hands meeting, with some expressing a desire for more immediate strategic discussions [9].