The MPV will be the first model produced at Li Auto’s Beijing facility, which has an annual production capacity of 100,000 units.
Li Auto announced that it will begin mass production and delivery of its inaugural pure electric car, MEGA, in February, embracing fast-charging technology to address range concerns for electric vehicle (EV) users. The company has already begun accepting pre-orders in China for the MEGA at a price below 600,000 yuan ($83,000).
MEGA is a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) featuring a water drop-shaped front design. It will be equipped with an 800V charging system and the latest Qilin batteries from Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL). This setup will enable the MEGA to achieve a 500 km range with just a 12-minute charge, according to Li Auto.
The company highlighted the vehicle’s low air resistance design which contributes to reduced energy consumption and an extended driving range. Chinese media had earlier reported on the MEGA’s impending launch, and Shi Ji, an analyst at China Merchants Bank International Securities, predicted that the model could reach or exceed a monthly sales volume of 5,000 units.
This figure would place Li Auto ahead in the large-sized MPV segment, currently dominated by Mercedes Benz with its Vito model, which averages 1,400 units in monthly sales. Li Auto has not commented on these sales projections. The company believes that the MEGA will be the preferred choice for family vehicles priced above 500,000 yuan, anticipating it to lead in sales across all fuel types and sizes in its price range.
Since its founding in 2015, Li Auto has offered four extended-range hybrid SUVs, primarily targeting family users, with prices starting above 300,000 yuan. The company ranks seventh in sales volume among electric and hybrid car manufacturers in China for the first ten months of the year and has not announced plans for international sales. The company reported a net income of 2.82 billion yuan and revenue of 34.68 billion yuan in the third quarter of the year.
