Li Auto Li L9 starts at RMB 459,800

Li Auto launched the all-new Li L9 in China on May 15, setting the Ultra trim at RMB 459,800 and the higher-spec Livis at RMB 509,800, according to the company’s newsroom and investor relations statements. The company said deliveries began on May 17. The launch matters because the initial card framing around a May 21 debut and a single starting price for the Livis does not match Li Auto’s own release. Company materials and follow-up coverage show the flagship SUV entered the market in two trims, with the lower price attached to the Ultra and the Livis positioned above it. ### So what, exactly, costs RMB 459,800? Li Auto said RMB 459,800 is the nationwide retail price of the Li L9 Ultra, not the Livis. The Livis carries a nationwide retail price of RMB 509,800, according to the company’s May 15 release and an investor relations statement. KrASIA reported the same trim split in its May 21 story, saying the official launch price of the L9 Livis was RMB 50,000 lower than Li Auto had previously indicated. Gasgoo also reported the Ultra at RMB 459,800 and the Livis at RMB 509,800. That resolves the main point of confusion around the launch: the “starts at RMB 459,800” line refers to the model range, while the technology-heavy Livis sits at the top of it. ### What did Li Auto change on the new Li L9? Li Auto said the all-new Li L9 is its flagship “embodied intelligence SUV” and described the vehicle as a major update rather than a minor refresh. The company said the model comes with two variants and new hardware across the cockpit, chassis and computing stack. KrASIA reported the new-generation L9 kept Li Auto’s basic cabin layout while adding a 29-inch 6K integrated ultrawide display with a 90 Hz refresh rate and an upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 8797 cockpit chip. The outlet also reported four “zero-gravity” seats, powered sunshades in the second row and multi-level dimming glass. ### Why is the Livis getting separate attention? The Li L9 Livis is the version Li Auto used to highlight its newer chassis technologies. Li Auto said an international exclusive version of the all-new Li L9 will debut in the third quarter, but its domestic launch materials already separated the Livis as the more advanced trim. CarNewsChina reported the Livis introduces 800V active suspension and a full by-wire chassis. KrASIA, in a separate May 21 report, said Li Auto used the Li L9 Livis to argue its case as a technology company, with the flagship centered on advanced chassis systems. ### When did the launch happen, and when do deliveries start? Li Auto said the all-new Li L9 was officially launched on May 15 in Beijing, with deliveries to commence on May 17. The company repeated those dates in both its newsroom post and its investor relations release. CNEVPost reported ahead of the event that Li Auto planned to launch the L9 Livis on May 15 with deliveries starting simultaneously. After the launch, company statements fixed the public timeline: May 15 for the market debut, May 17 for the first deliveries. ### What comes next after the China launch? Li Auto said the next named milestone is an international exclusive version of the all-new Li L9 in the third quarter. The company has not, in the materials reviewed, published a more precise date for that debut. Through June 30, Li Auto is also offering a RMB 20,000 launch incentive on the new Li L9, according to KrASIA and 36Kr-linked coverage. That leaves two near-term watchpoints: the end of the launch incentive on June 30 and the international version’s planned third-quarter debut. (liauto.com)