Core Viewpoint - Li Auto reported a net loss of RMB 625 million (approximately USD 89.286 million) in Q3 2025, marking the end of 11 consecutive profitable quarters, primarily due to a recall of 11,400 vehicles [1] Financial Performance - Vehicle sales revenue in Q3 2025 was RMB 25.9 billion (approximately USD 3.7 billion), a decline of 37.4% from RMB 41.3 billion (approximately USD 5.9 billion) in Q3 2024 [2] - Total revenue for Q3 2025 was RMB 27.4 billion (approximately USD 3.914 billion), down 36.2% from RMB 42.9 billion (approximately USD 6.129 billion) in Q3 2024, and down 9.5% quarter-over-quarter from RMB 30.2 billion (approximately USD 4.314 billion) in Q2 2025 [3] - Total deliveries were 93,211 units, reflecting a 39.0% year-over-year decrease [2] Market Challenges - Li Auto is expected to face a continued decline in Q4 2025, with projected vehicle deliveries between 100,000 to 110,000 units, representing a year-over-year decrease of 37.0% to 30.7% [5] - The company is experiencing intensified competition in the new energy vehicle market, with rivals like Tesla and NIO having established significant advantages [6][7] - Li Auto's transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is lagging, and the company must enhance its production capacity and technology deployment to remain competitive [8] Production and Supply Chain Issues - New BEV models i6 and i8 have received positive market responses, with orders exceeding 100,000 units; however, supply chain challenges have limited their deliveries to only 18% of total deliveries in Q3 [9] - Li Auto is attempting to increase production capacity through a dual-supplier system but faces urgent supply chain stability issues [9] Strategic Expansion and Consumer Engagement - Despite challenges in its core vehicle business, Li Auto has begun diversifying into new lines, launching AI smart glasses, although market response has been lukewarm [10][11] - Li Auto's app user engagement remains high, indicating a strong core consumer base, which is crucial for any potential turnaround [12] Q4 Outlook - For Q4 2025, revenue is forecasted at RMB 26.5 billion (approximately USD 3.786 billion), representing a 40% year-over-year decline [14]

Core Viewpoint - Li Auto reported a net loss of RMB 625 million (approximately USD 89.286 million) in Q3 2025, marking the end of 11 consecutive profitable quarters, primarily due to a recall of 11,400 vehicles [1] Financial Performance - Vehicle sales revenue in Q3 2025 was RMB 25.9 billion (approximately USD 3.7 billion), a decline of 37.4% from RMB 41.3 billion (approximately USD 5.9 billion) in Q3 2024; total deliveries were 93,211 units, down 39.0% YoY [2] - Total revenue for Q3 2025 was RMB 27.4 billion (approximately USD 3.914 billion), down 36.2% from RMB 42.9 billion (approximately USD 6.129 billion) in Q3 2024, and down 9.5% QoQ from RMB 30.2 billion (approximately USD 4.314 billion) in Q2 2025 [3] - The projected vehicle deliveries for Q4 2025 are between 100,000 to 110,000 units, representing a YoY decrease of 37.0% to 30.7% [5] Competitive Landscape - Li Auto faces intensified competition in the new energy vehicle market, particularly from brands like AITO and Deepal in the EREV segment, and Tesla and NIO in the BEV segment, which have established significant advantages [6][7] - The company must accelerate its transition to BEVs and enhance its production capacity to remain competitive [8] Production Challenges - Despite strong market response to newly launched BEV models i6 and i8, supply chain challenges have limited their deliveries to only 18% of total deliveries in Q3 [9] - Li Auto is attempting to increase production capacity through a dual-supplier system but faces urgent supply chain stability issues [9] Strategic Expansion - Li Auto has begun diversifying into new business lines, launching divisions for "Space Robotics" and "Wearable Robotics," and introduced AI smart glasses priced at RMB 1,999 (approximately USD 285.57), though market response has been lukewarm [10][11] Consumer Engagement - Despite declining deliveries, Li Auto maintains high app user engagement, indicating a strong core consumer base that could support future recovery [12] Future Outlook - For Q4 2025, revenue is forecasted at RMB 26.5 billion (approximately USD 3.786 billion), reflecting a 40% YoY decline, with ongoing challenges expected in the near term [13][14]

Q3 Net Loss & 39% Delivery Drop: Li Auto’s BEV Transition in TurmoilChina, Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shenzhen, JAN. 9, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) In the third quarter of 2025, Li Auto (NYSE: LI; HKEX: 2015) recorded a net loss attributable to parent company shareholders of RMB 625 million (approximately USD 89.286 million), swinging to a loss on a year-over-year (YoY) basis and ending its streak of 11 consecutive profitable quarters. Li Auto attributed the loss to the recall of 11,400 Li Auto MEGA vehicl ...

Core Insights - NIO Inc. and Li Auto are set to report their Q2 2025 results, raising questions about their current positioning in the EV market [1] Product Lineup - Li Auto focuses on a hybrid approach with extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and has a successful L-series lineup [1] - NIO is committed to pure EVs, offering a diverse range of sedans and SUVs, and is expanding with its ONVO mass-market division and Firefly premium brand [2] Deliveries and Growth - In Q2 2025, Li Auto delivered 111,074 vehicles, while NIO delivered 72,056 vehicles [3] - Li Auto's deliveries increased by 2.3% year-over-year, whereas NIO's deliveries surged by 25.6% [3] Profitability and Margins - NIO's vehicle margin improved to 10.2% in Q1 2025, up from 9.2% a year ago [4] - Li Auto's vehicle margin was 19.8% in Q1 2025, slightly up from 19.3% the previous year, indicating stronger profitability [5] Financial Strength - As of March 31, 2025, Li Auto had approximately $15.3 billion in cash, while NIO had $3.6 billion [6] - NIO's long-term debt-to-capitalization ratio is 75%, compared to Li Auto's 10.8%, indicating Li Auto's stronger financial position [6] Technological Bets - NIO's strategy includes a battery swap network with over 3,400 stations, enhancing EV adoption [10] - Li Auto is focused on autonomous driving technology, aiming for level-4 autonomy with its Li AD Max and Pro systems [11] Stock Performance and Valuation - NIO shares rose by 27% over the past six months, while Li Auto shares fell by 25% [12] - NIO trades at a lower forward price-to-sales ratio compared to Li Auto, making it more attractively valued [13] Future Estimates - NIO's sales are projected to grow by 50% in 2025 and 36% in 2026, with a significant narrowing of losses expected [16] - Li Auto's sales are expected to grow by only 6% in 2025, with a projected decline in earnings before rebounding in 2026 [17] Final Verdict - NIO shows stronger growth potential, accelerating deliveries, and a more attractive valuation, positioning it better than Li Auto ahead of earnings season [19]

Industry Overview - China's new-energy vehicle (NEV) market, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), saw over 11 million units sold in 2024, a 40.7% increase from 2023. In Q1 2025, sales of passenger NEVs were estimated at 2.86 million units, up 43% year-over-year [1][2]. Company Comparison: Li Auto vs. NIO Product Lineup & Upcoming Offerings - Li Auto has established a strong reputation with its extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and plans to launch additional BEVs, including models Li i8, i6, i7, and i9 within the next 12-18 months [3]. - NIO focuses solely on pure EV models, with a diverse lineup and plans for new launches, including the NIO 89 and additional models under its ONVO and Firefly brands [4][5]. Deliveries - Li Auto delivered 500,508 vehicles in 2024, a 33% increase from 2023, and 92,864 units in Q1 2025, up 15.5% year-over-year, with cumulative deliveries reaching 1,226,736 units as of March 31, 2025 [6]. - NIO delivered 221,970 vehicles in 2024, a 30.7% increase, and 42,094 units in Q1 2025, up 40.1% year-over-year, with cumulative deliveries totaling 713,658 units [7]. Revenues, Margins & Bottom Line - Li Auto reported total revenues of $19.8 billion in 2024, a 16.6% increase, with an operating profit of $961 million and a net income of $1.5 billion [8]. - NIO generated over $9 billion in revenues in 2024, an 18.2% increase, but incurred an operating loss of $3 billion and a net loss exceeding $3 billion [9][10]. Balance Sheet - Li Auto has a strong balance sheet with $9 billion in cash and manageable long-term debt of $1.1 billion, allowing for significant investments in R&D and expansion [12]. - NIO holds $2.6 billion in cash with $1.56 billion in long-term borrowings, indicating a higher leverage risk [13]. Retail and Global Expansion - Li Auto operates 502 retail stores and 478 service centers in China, with plans to expand its supercharging stations to 4,000 by the end of 2025 [15]. - NIO has a significant retail presence with 180 NIO Houses and aims to enter 25 countries by the end of 2025 [16]. Technology & Innovation - NIO is advancing its battery swap technology, having deployed over 3,200 power swap stations and partnering with CATL to build a large battery swap network [17]. - Li Auto is focusing on autonomous driving technology, rolling out advanced driver assistance systems and aiming to develop humanoid robots after achieving level-4 autonomous driving capabilities [18][19]. Stock Performance and Valuation - Li Auto has shown better stock performance in 2025 and holds a Value Score of B, while NIO has a Value Score of D, indicating Li Auto's stronger fundamentals [20][21]. Conclusion - Li Auto currently leads in vehicle deliveries, profitability, margins, financial health, and self-driving capabilities, positioning it as a more favorable investment compared to NIO, which faces challenges with high losses and a leveraged balance sheet [26][27].