Gasgoo Munich- At the closing plenary of the 2026 China Auto Chongqing Summit on June 13, Liu Liguo, Senior Vice President of Vehicle Electrification at Li Auto, said the industry has entered an awkward phase of technological and configuration convergence. "Everyone has refrigerators, screens, and plush seats now," he noted, pointing to intensifying homogenization. He argued that the next decade for automobiles won't be a battle over specs, but a battle for intelligent companionship. Li Auto's mission is to breathe life into both cars and homes, upgrading the vehicle into a "third space" capable of perception and thought—with the core goal of making the car "understand you better."
Image source: China Auto Chongqing Summit
On the energy front, Li Auto is pushing forward with both extended-range and pure-electric technologies. For extended-range vehicles, the flagship model featuring the third-generation in-house system boasts fuel consumption as low as 6.4 liters per 100 kilometers, allowing a smooth drive from Beijing to Shanghai on a full tank and charge. On the pure-electric side, the self-developed IC ultra-charging battery platform enables a 10-minute recharge, with the number of ultra-charging piles expected to approach 10,000 by 2026.
Regarding intelligence, Li Auto has proposed an "embodied intelligence" strategy, equipping cars with five key capabilities: eyes, brain, heart, nerves, and limbs. Liu emphasized that these five systems must be designed holistically. He pointed out that the core of user expectation boils down to one question: "Can it understand me better?" The vehicle needs to actively recognize, comprehend, and serve its users.
On supply chain collaboration, Liu noted that the principle of "letting professionals do professional work" is phased. Traditional components are best handled by suppliers, but for newer systems like suspension and electro-hydraulics, relying solely on suppliers offers limited momentum. Consequently, Li Auto now largely adopts a joint development approach for these areas.
