Li Auto opens first overseas retail center in Uzbekistan

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Li Auto has opened its first overseas authorized retail center in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, marking the Chinese automaker's formal entry into Central Asia, according to a press release the automaker issued on Oct. 14 via its WeChat account.

The store will sell three of the company's extended-range electric SUVs—the Li L9, Li L7, and Li L6—tailored to meet local market demand.

Unlike its direct-sales model in China, Li Auto is using an authorized dealership approach for its overseas operations, partnering with local distributors to expand market presence.

The company plans to open two more retail centers in Kazakhstan next month—one in Almaty, the country's largest city, and another in the capital, Astana—further strengthening its footprint in the region.

Customers purchasing vehicles through Li Auto's authorized retail network will receive the same suite of official after-sales services as those in China, including warranty coverage, professional maintenance and inspections, genuine parts logistics, technical support, and over-the-air software updates.

According to Li Auto's head of international business, Wu Zuomin, entering Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan represents a strategically significant move for the company's global expansion. He noted that Central Asia offers enormous growth potential, and the initiative underscores Li Auto's commitment not only to selling vehicles but also to building long-term relationships with overseas customers and delivering a premium ownership experience.

The move into Central Asia marks a major milestone in Li Auto's globalization roadmap, signaling the company's transition into a new phase of systematically developing its overseas capabilities across R&D, product adaptation, and sales and service operations.

Li Auto has already established R&D centers in Germany and the United States to accelerate localized product and technology development. All new models planned for release from 2026 onward will be designed to comply with international regulatory standards. In parallel, the company is expanding its overseas sales and after-sales infrastructure while building support systems to ensure a seamless customer experience.

Looking ahead, Li Auto intends to make globalization one of its core long-term strategies, with a focus on expanding into the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe. The company says it will approach this process with patience and determination as it continues to build a comprehensive international presence.