Li Auto orders jump 877% in a week as updated i6 drives demand

Nov 5, 2026

Li Auto recorded 51,300 orders in the week from 26 October to 1 November, an 877% increase on the previous week, according to figures released by third-party organisation NEV Exploration Record. The Chinese automaker ranked second among 15 brands tracked, behind BYD, and posted the largest week-on-week increase.

The surge followed the launch of the 2026 Li i6 on 28 October. The updated electric SUV appears to have given the brand a significant boost.

Updated i6 drives order growth

The 2026 Li Auto i6 retains a starting price of RMB 249,800 (approximately HK$294,000), but with more equipment. Key additions include a self-developed battery, a maximum driving range of 780 km, an in-house intelligent driving chip and dual-chamber air suspension.

Li Auto said orders in the first 72 hours after launch were significantly higher than during the same period last year. Demand was reportedly strong enough to cause temporary problems with the company's official app.

Buyers who place a confirmed order by the end of November can receive an RMB 10,000 discount.

A key model for Li Auto

Since its launch in September 2025, the i6 has recorded 190,000 sales by September 2026. It also recorded monthly deliveries of more than 20,000 units for eight consecutive months, at one point accounting for around 60% of Li Auto's total monthly sales.

The 2026 update focuses on strengthening the i6's value proposition rather than changing its market positioning. By adding equipment while keeping the starting price unchanged, Li Auto is looking to maintain its position in China's RMB200,000–300,000 electric SUV segment.

Li Auto chairman Li Xiang said that BMW 3 Series owners make up the largest group of trade-in customers for the i6. This suggests the model is attracting buyers beyond the existing EV market, including those considering a move from a traditional petrol car.

Li Auto outpaces rivals

Li Auto's sales increase stands out against the performance of other brands in the same weekly figures. Eleven of the 15 brands recorded a week-on-week decline, including BYD, down 14%, Nio, down 9%, and Xiaomi, down 4%. By comparison, Li Auto's orders rose 877%, while XPeng recorded an increase of 391%.

Feedback from Li Auto dealerships suggests that the i6 is competing for customers considering the Tesla Model Y and Xiaomi YU7. Its latest update and unchanged starting price could help it attract buyers in this increasingly competitive electric SUV segment.

Li Auto delivered 29,025 vehicles in October, taking its cumulative deliveries to more than 1.86 million. Whether the sharp rise in weekly orders will translate into a comparable increase in deliveries remains to be seen.