Li Auto has initiated pre-orders for its i8 model, setting an estimated price bracket between 350,000 and 400,000 yuan. The definitive pricing will be officially announced during a launch event on July 29.
CEO Li Xiang addressed the pre-order strategy on Weibo, describing it as a "small deposit" phase—a common practice among most Chinese automakers. He acknowledged that Li Auto currently lacks the widespread appeal of Xiaomi, preventing a direct leap to large deposits without this initial step. Similarly, the company cannot yet mirror Tesla's streamlined approach, which involves no deposit phases or promotional events, instead opting for direct sales via its website. Li expressed optimism that collective efforts within Li Auto will eventually enable a shift to direct online sales, eliminating both deposit tiers and formal launch events altogether.
