Top stories of Li Auto in 2024

In 2024, Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer Li Auto made efforts in its collaboration with industry leaders to improve power battery safety and advance EV charging solutions. Moreover, Li Auto introduced several key vehicle models, including the MEGA MPV.

Photo credit: Li Auto

Li Auto focused on innovation in R&D of new materials and intelligent driving systems in the past year. The company celebrated the rollout of its high-strength stainless steel and CFRT composite materials, marking advancements in vehicle manufacturing. Additionally, it introduced the "End-to-End + VLM" smart driving system. These actions underscore Li Auto's commitment to both technological innovation and infrastructure expansion.

Gasgoo conducted an annual review of key automakers and component companies. In this piece, we will take a look back at the significant events that unfolded for Li Auto in 2024.

Li Auto's 1,400th supercharging stations goes live

On December 25, Li Auto revealed via its WeChat account that the company's supercharging network has already surpassed 1,400 stations, of which 700 stations are located along highways.

Li Auto, CASIC's Aerospace Materials Institute build joint lab to enhance power battery safety

On December 17, 2024, Li Auto and the Aerospace Materials Institute of the Third Academy of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation ("CASIC") jointly launched the "Advanced Thermal Insulation Materials Joint Laboratory" in Beijing, according to a post on Li Auto's WeChat account.

Li Auto rolls off in-house developed high-strength high-tenacity stainless steel

On December 12, 2024, Li Auto celebrated the successful rollout of its first high-strength high-tenacity stainless steel coil at Tsingtuo Group's factory. The milestone was marked by a joint unveiling ceremony with Tsingtuo Group, Anhui NEV Power Systems Co., Ltd., and Hongwang Holding Group for the newly developed UFHS stainless steel material.

Continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite co-developed by Li Auto, Röchling, FRECO rolls off production line

On November 26, Li Auto announced that the CFRT (Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic) composite it co-developed with Röchling and FRECO successfully rolled off the production line at Röchling's Kunshan plant. This marks a significant milestone for Li Auto, demonstrating its capability to independent development and design in the CFRT composite.

Li Auto hits sales milestone of 1 million vehicles

On November 19, Li Auto announced that its cumulative sales have exceeded 1 million vehicles, marking a significant achievement in its rapid growth trajectory.

Li Auto rolls out 'end-to-end + VLM' smart driving system via OTA

On October 23, Li Auto announced the full-scale rollout of its first "End-to-End + Visual Language Model (VLM)" intelligent driving system. This upgrade, part of the OTA 6.4 update, will be available for owners of the Li MEGA, L9, L8, L7, and L6 AD Max models.

Li Auto hits production milestone of 1 million vehicles

On October 14, Li Auto celebrated a major achievement with the production of its one-millionth vehicle, a 2024 Li L9 vehicle, at its Changzhou Intelligent Manufacturing Base in Jiangsu province. It took Li Auto only 58 months to hit the production milestone.

Li Auto, Sinopec enter into strategic partnership in EV charging field

On October 12, 2024, Li Auto and Sinopec officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly advance their efforts in the electric vehicle (EV) charging sector.

Under the agreement, Li Auto and Sinopec will collaborate on several key areas, including the construction of charging stations, platform integration, and offering maintenance card benefits. The goal is to enhance the charging experience for users, providing a more seamless and efficient service.

Li Auto, Covestro build joint innovation platform for R&D of smart materials

On September 6, 2024, Li Auto and leading German materials manufacturer Covestro signed a strategic cooperation agreement at Covestro's integrated Shanghai base in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park, according to a post on Li Auto's WeChat account. The two companies would form a joint innovation platform to advance the R&D of smart materials for future mobility, promoting a circular economy and reducing carbon emissions in the automotive value chain. 

Li Auto unveils new intelligent driving system updates at Chengdu Motor Show 2024

On August 30, Li Auto showcased its L Series and MEGA models at the Chengdu Motor Show 2024, revealing the latest advancements and future plans for its intelligent driving technology.

The company also announced the recruitment of a 10,000-member experience group for its new-generation intelligent driving system, which is based on end-to-end models and Vision-Language Models (VLM).

Li Auto, Shoucheng Holdings to build supercharging tech joint venture

On August 22, 2024, Li Auto signed a cooperation agreement with Shoucheng Holdings Limited at the Shougang Park in Beijing, according to Li Auto’s press release. The two companies planned to establish a joint venture named Beijing Shoucheng Supercharging Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Shoucheng Supercharging").

Li Auto sets up dedicated unit for end-to-end smart driving large model R&D

In mid-July 2024, Li Auto announced its entry into the development of end-to-end large models. Earlier this month, during its intelligent driving summer launch event, Li Auto unveiled a new autonomous driving technology architecture based on end-to-end models, VLM (Vision Language Model), and world models. The company also initiated an early bird program for this new architecture.

Li Auto teams up with CNPC's subsidiary on development of EV charging facilities

On June 18, 2024, CNPC Kunlun Connected Electric Energy Technology Co., Ltd. ("CNPC Kunlun"), a subsidiary of CNPC, and Li Auto signed a cooperation agreement to jointly advance the development and construction of electric vehicle charging infrastructures along highways and within cities across China, according to a post on CNPC Kunlun's WeChat account.

Li Auto puts MEGA battery-electric MPV onto market at 559,800 yuan

On March 1, Li Auto, the prominent Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer, officially launched the MEGA flagship MPV. As Li Auto's first 5C high-voltage pure electric model, the MEGA features 100 premium configurations as standard, all at a unified retail price of 559,800 yuan nationwide.

Li Auto partners with UNT in SiC field

United Nova Technology (UNT), a Chinese provider of core chip technology in power devices, MEMS, and connectivity, officially signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Chinese new energy vehicle maker Li Auto, according to a post UNT released on March 1, 2024.

Li Auto inaugurates flagship retail centers in Shenzhen, Guangzhou cities

On January 14, the grand opening of Li Auto's flagship retail centers in Shenzhen Jiale Road and Guangzhou Guangyuan Road marked a significant milestone in Li Auto's strategic retail expansion.