Li Auto's all-electric SUV to launch in July

Li Auto (2015) has announced plans to launch the first pure battery-powered six-seat sport utility vehicle in July, targeting big families amid sticky fierce competition.

Company chairman Li Xiang revealed on social media that the model is dubbed Li i8, the first product of the new "i" lineup.

Li said the electric vehicle maker certainly feels the pressure as there are a number of new models to be launched during that period.

But Li said that families with two children and households with three generations can patiently wait for the Li i8 model, as he expects the new SUV and the company’s supercharging stations across mainland China would satisfy car owners.

Li Auto also vowed to pay all its attention to consumer demand rather than sales and competition.

Li Auto delivered 26,263 EVs in February, 29.7 percent higher than one year ago. Over the same period, however, domestic rival XPeng’s (9868) deliveries surged 570 percent to 30,500 units, while Leapmotor’s (9863) soared 285 percent to 25,300 vehicles.

THEMIS QI