Li Auto debuts the Li i8 six-seater SUV, intensifying its presence in the fiercely competitive electric vehicle market
Tesla's Model Y L and Li Auto i8 Square Off in China's BEV Market
Tesla's upcoming six-seat Model Y L is set to enter China's battery electric vehicle (BEV) family SUV market, taking on competitors like Li Auto's i8 and Nio's Onvo L90.
Here's a comparison of the three vehicles:
| Aspect | Tesla Model Y L | Li Auto i8 | Onvo L90 (Nio) | |-------------------|---------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Seating | 6-seat configuration, longer wheelbase (~3.04m) providing a more spacious third row, closer to a mini Model X[1][3] | 6-seater SUV, slightly smaller overall dimensions compared to Onvo L90[2][4] | 6-seat version (details less specified) but a key competitor in 6-seat SUV space[2][4] | | Pricing (China) | Not officially announced yet; base Model Y starts at 263,500 yuan (~$36,700)[3] but new Model Y L expected to be positioned competitively | Official launch price at RMB 321,800 ($44,830), lower than initially expected range of 350,000-400,000 yuan ($48,760–$55,700)[2][4] | Starting at RMB 279,900 (~$38,988), expected to be priced lower than Li i8 and Tesla Model Y L[2][4] | | Battery & Range | Not fully disclosed; presumed strong performance consistent with Tesla's standards[1][3] | 97.8 kWh ternary lithium battery, 5C fast-charging, CLTC range up to 720 km[2] | Battery-swap-enabled, smaller battery capacity than Li i8, with lower price point[2][4] | | Charging Network | Tesla's global and China supercharging network (Shanghai Gigafactory produces Model Y globally)[3] | Growing supercharger network in China with 2,883 stations, focusing on fast charging over battery swap[2] | Battery swap stations (different charging approach from Li Auto)[2] | | Market Position | Strong global BEV player aiming to reclaim market share in China with a family-friendly 6-seat SUV variant[1][3] | New entrant with premium positioning higher than Nio Onvo L90, betting on charging network and specs to attract buyers[2][4] | Positioned as a competitively priced family SUV with battery swapping, lower price than Li i8 and Model Y L[2][4] |
Li Auto offers three variants of the Li i8: Pro, Max, and Ultra, with prices ranging from RMB 321,800 to RMB 369,800. The entry-level Li i8 has a 90.1-kWh battery pack with a CLTC range of 670 kilometers. Deliveries for the Li i8 are set to begin on August 20.
In June, Li Auto delivered 36,279 vehicles, marking a year-on-year decrease of 24.06 percent. However, in the first six months of the year, the company delivered 203,938 vehicles, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.91 percent.
Meanwhile, Li Auto's i8 comes standard with a dual motor system that delivers a total power output of 400 kW and a total torque of 660 Nm, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
The Li i8 uses the latest autonomous driving architecture, MindVLA (Visual-Language-Action). Furthermore, it will be the first vehicle to come with the VLA driver large language model.
Li Auto's first electric SUV and its second BEV model, the Li i8, is now available. However, the company faces greater pressure in the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) market from Huawei-backed Aito models.
Tesla's Model Y L is expected to launch this fall, aiming to address the growing family EV market in China. By combining Tesla’s charging infrastructure and driving experience with enhanced interior space, the Model Y L aims to compete directly with these premium six-seat SUVs.
[1] Tesla's Model Y L to Compete in China's BEV Market [2] Li Auto i8 vs Tesla Model Y L vs Nio Onvo L90: A Detailed Comparison [3] Tesla Model Y L: Everything We Know So Far [4] Li Auto i8 vs Tesla Model Y L vs Nio Onvo L90: A Comprehensive Comparison
- With Tesla's Model Y L about to enter the market, the race for supremacy in China's electric vehicle (EV) family SUV segment grows more intense, as Li Auto's i8 and Nio's Onvo L90 are also vying for dominance.
- Tesla's Model Y L, a six-seat configuration with a longer wheelbase, is projected to offer a more spacious third row, setting it apart from some of its competitors like Li Auto's i8 and Nio's Onvo L90.
- Li Auto's i8 offers three variants, Pro, Max, and Ultra, with varying prices, while Tesla, though yet to announce official pricing for Model Y L, base Model Y starts at 263,500 yuan.
- Battery and range specifications for the Tesla Model Y L have not been fully disclosed, but it's presumed to perform strongly in line with Tesla's standards.
- Li Auto's i8 boasts a 97.8 kWh ternary lithium battery, offering fast-charging options, while Tesla's charging network (including China's supercharging network) is a significant advantage for Model Y L.
- The Li Auto i8, with its dual motor system, delivers a total power output of 400 kW and a total torque of 660 Nm, ensuring quick acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
- Li Auto's i8 employs the latest autonomous driving architecture, MindVLA, and will be the first vehicle to come with the VLA driver large language model.
- The impending launch of Tesla's Model Y L signals a strategy to capture market share in China's EV family SUV segment, bolstered by Tesla's reputation, driving experience, and charging infrastructure.
- Li Auto, despite deliveries for Li i8 declining year-on-year in June, has managed steady growth overall, having delivered 203,938 vehicles in the first half of the year.
- Li Auto's rivals, including Tesla and Nio, will likely react to Model Y L's entry, as the electric-vehicle, automotive, finance, transportation, and lifestyle industries witness an increasingly competitive landscape in China's EV market.
