Chinese brand Li Auto eyes UK launch with i6 SUV
New premium brands generally struggle here against the incumbent Europeans but Li Auto is expected to try to lure customers with the promise of greater tech levels and interior flexibility for their money.
Equipment on the China-model i6 includes 16in dual touchscreen as well as a 21in rear drop-down screen and flexible MPV-style seating. The company promotes the car in China as a ‘leisure base camp’ with a rear table, rear fridge with its own compressor to heat or cool separate to the HVAC system and the ability to fold the passenger seat flat to create a bed.
The car’s frunk is touted as a place to store dirty sports gear with the ability act as a sink to wash kit and drain water away afterwards. The boot has a claimed 728 litres of space, with a separate storage area under the floor
Li Auto first started producing cars in 2019 focused on extended range electric SUVs that paired a large battery with a 1.5-litre petrol engine. The company introduced electric vehicles with the Mega in in 2024 (pictured below). Since Li Auto’s launch, it has sold 1.8 million cars according to company figures.
So far almost all Li Auto’s sales have been in China and Founder Li acknowledged the difficulty of creating the same success in export markets. “Expanding overseas comes with its own set of challenges, particularly uncertainties around the geopolitical environment and market regulations,” he said.
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