Li Auto simplifies Li i8 lineup soon after market launch

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On August 5, Li Auto announced a major adjustment to its newly launched Li i8 lineup, streamlining model variants and revising pricing just one week after the vehicle's market.

The company will now offer only a single trim level—the Li i8 Max—as the standard configuration, reducing its price from 349,800 yuan to 339,800 yuan. Buyers will also receive a complimentary 10,000-yuan platinum audio system, with an optional rear-seat entertainment screen package available for the same price.

This move effectively gives customers who initially opted for the 369,800-yuan Ultra version full access to its original features at only 349,800 yuan. Meanwhile, those who had selected the base Pro version (previously priced at 321,800 yuan) will be offered the option to either cancel their orders or upgrade to the new unified configuration.

The i8, Li Auto's first all-electric SUV, hit the market on July 29 with three variants—Pro, Max, and Ultra—priced between 321,800 yuan and 369,800 yuan. However, the majority of customers—over 98%, according to the company—chose either the Max or Ultra trims, prompting widespread feedback that the initial offering was overly complex and difficult to navigate. Customers also expressed frustration about limited access to higher-end features, especially calling for the refrigerator to be standard and for a second-row entertainment screen to be available as an option.

Positioned as the debut model in Li Auto's new all-electric "i" series, the Li i8 carries high expectations as the brand's gateway into the battery electric vehicle (BEV) segment. Responding swiftly to customer feedback, Li Auto has now streamlined its product strategy to reduce consumer confusion and deliver better value.

Company founder and CEO Li Xiang previously described the Li i8 as a "compact version of the MEGA Home," offering a compelling alternative for budget-conscious buyers who admired the MEGA's concept. He noted that the vehicle draws design inspiration from luxury yachts, combining a sleek aerodynamic profile with expansive interior space, wide visibility, and enhanced ride comfort. The Li i8, he added, blends the spaciousness of an MPV, the off-road capability of an SUV, and the refined driving feel of a sedan.

The Li i8 marks the beginning of Li Auto's full-scale push into the BEV market. Its next model, the five-seat Li i6, is set to be launched in September and will target the compact-to-midsize all-electric SUV segment. Together with the L series, the "i" lineup will form a tiered product structure, expanding the brand's reach across a broader customer base.