Li Auto has revised the lineup of its newly launched Li i8 electric SUV, dropping two of the original three variants and adjusting pricing, following a muted reception in the Chinese battery electric vehicle (BEV) market.
Initially launched on July 29, the Li i8 was available in Pro, Max, and Ultra versions. As of Tuesday, only the Max variant remains, with its price reduced by RMB 10,000 to RMB 339,800 ($47,310). Consumers seeking higher-end features from the Ultra model can now opt for equivalent configurations through additional paid options, resulting in a total cost of RMB 349,800—RMB 20,000 lower than the original Ultra variant.
The company said the original configurations were overly complex and lacked flexibility in terms of high-end customizations. Internal data showed that the Max and Ultra versions accounted for more than 98 percent of customer orders, prompting the automaker to simplify its offering.
Despite the updated strategy, Li Auto did not address concerns about the i8’s initial market performance. According to reports on Chinese social media, the model received only 6,000 orders in the week following its release.
Deliveries of the Li i8 are still scheduled to begin on August 20. The SUV features a 97.8-kWh ternary lithium battery with 5C supercharging support, offering a CLTC-rated range of 720 kilometers. It also includes a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
The relaunch comes amid intensifying competition in China’s electric SUV segment. Nio Inc’s sub-brand Onvo recently introduced the L90, a similarly positioned flagship model priced from RMB 265,800, with deliveries commencing just one day after launch.
Source: CNEVPOST