8,000 sold in 72 hours: SUV with 1,650 km that challenges BMW and Mercedes
An SUV that looks like it came out of a science fiction movie, but is already making European giants look ridiculous. With a 29-inch screen that resembles more a cinema hall than a car, and a range that makes any BMW or Mercedes break into a cold sweat, this vehicle has shaken the market. And no, it’s not a joke or a lost prototype: these are real numbers, and in just 72 hours they have sold 8,000 units.
Li Auto, a Chinese manufacturer born only 11 years ago, has put the entire European industry on alert with this plug-in hybrid SUV boasting 1,650 km of range. Its price? Slightly less than a basic trim of some German models: 58,200 euros. That alone should ring alarm bells at BMW and Mercedes.
Li Auto: the new threat shaking BMW and Mercedes
Li Auto is no ordinary newcomer; it has sold a million vehicles in record time and has now launched a renewed version of its flagship model, the Li Auto L9. This SUV has not only grown in size to 5.25 meters long, leaving behind the 5.15 meters of the BMW X7 and the 5.2 meters of the Mercedes GLS, but has also extended its range to a spectacular 1,650 km.
How does it achieve this? Because it combines a 1.5 T combustion engine that works only as a generator, with two electric motors totaling 420 kW of power and 710 Nm of torque. This power allows acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. The battery, with a capacity of 72.7 kWh, recharges at a brutal speed, going from 10% to 80% in only 10 minutes thanks to 5C technology.
Dimensions and technology on par with the best
With 2 meters of width and 1.81 meters of height, the Li Auto L9 offers room for six occupants, slightly more than what we’re used to in Europe, but perfectly adapted to its native market. The panoramic screen in the cabin stands out: 29 inches with 6K resolution, serving not only the central console but also the front passenger. In the second row, another 21.4" screen with 3K resolution unfolds from the roof, in case you still had doubts that they really aimed big here.
To top it off, it incorporates an 800V active suspension that adjusts each wheel independently and in real time, minimizing body movements. So it’s not only a big SUV, but also one that knows how to make the journey comfortable for the whole family, or whatever you carry inside.
Price and arrival in Europe: a market clash
The Li Auto L9 is being sold in two versions, L9 and Livis, with a base price of 459,800 yuan, which equals about 58,200 euros. If that doesn’t sound revolutionary, maybe you’re too used to the inflated prices of European luxury SUVs.
But here comes the irony: despite the sales boom, Li Auto’s stock on the Hong Kong exchange has recently dropped by 14.15%. And this just as its CEO, Li Xiang, was loudly announcing that preparations for the European launch are already underway. Maybe investors haven’t fully believed the immediate success or are nervous about the clash it might cause for European giants.
The SUV that revolutionizes mobility and competition
Record-breaking range that makes Germans sweat
What really makes this SUV special? Its combined range of 1,650 km, thanks to the plug-in hybrid that uses a combustion engine as a generator. This means you can make almost three trips to Barcelona without worrying about charging. The electric part provides 420 km, a number that is already high by itself; but the gasoline engine is what brings the party home, keeping the battery charged and stretching total range to unthinkable limits.
The fact that this SUV can recharge its battery from 10% to 80% in 10 minutes is another direct hit on the table. The 5C fast-charging technology is not just for small cars; Li Auto has brought this power to a giant that doesn’t seem shy at all.
Luxury interior and gadgets for technology gourmets
The two giant screens are just the tip of the iceberg. The whole setup is designed to leave behind the classic image of a Chinese SUV and stand on par with premium brands. The active suspension system not only improves comfort but also shows a clear bet on advanced technology, which is not often seen in models other than German ones.
With this SUV, Li Auto is saying: "Not only can we compete in technology and design, but we can also do it at a price that makes luxury European SUVs sweat." And that makes its arrival in Europe an event that cannot be overlooked.
Market and reaction: the scenario being set in Europe
Stocks fall amid commercial euphoria
The contradiction is palpable: 8,000 sales in 72 hours, but a 14.15% drop in Li Auto’s market value on Hong Kong’s stock exchange. Markets are unpredictable and the fear of a clash with European manufacturers leads some investors not to bet everything on this new star.
Despite this, CEO Li Xiang is undeterred. He has made it clear that Europe is in sight and will be a strategic battlefield for the brand. With such an ambitious move, European competition should start taking this seriously.
A direct challenge to BMW, Mercedes, and Audi
European luxury SUVs like the BMW X7, Mercedes GLS, Audi Q7, or even the electric Porsche Cayenne now have a new rival that not only matches their dimensions but surpasses them in range and technology at a brutal price. This could change the game forever and force classic brands to rethink their strategies.
If the Li Auto L9’s arrival in Europe is confirmed, the luxury SUV market will never be the same again. The truth is that this Chinese SUV not only stands its ground, but plays at home with a roadmap that shakes the German giants.
The reality is that Li Auto has gone full throttle with a 1,650 km range SUV, shock price, and cutting-edge technology. BMW and Mercedes now have real competition, and it does not come from Europe but Beijing.
