Li Auto Accelerates AI Strategy With Livis Day Event Amid Sales Challenges

China-based EV manufacturer Li Auto has announced that it will host its Livis Day software and artificial intelligence event on June 15, where the company intends to explain its vision of embodied intelligence and outline its future roadmap in AI and software technologies. The event will begin at 4:30 pm Beijing Time and reflects the company's broader effort to transform itself from a vehicle manufacturer into an AI-driven technology enterprise in an increasingly competitive automotive landscape.

The announcement comes as Li Auto intensifies investments in artificial intelligence while facing slower growth in its core vehicle business. The company has been steadily expanding its technology portfolio and positioning intelligent systems as a central pillar of its long-term strategy. Through Livis Day, Li Auto aims to demonstrate how AI technologies can become a key differentiator in future mobility solutions and related intelligent products.

Livis Technology Becomes Central to Product Strategy

Last month, Li Auto introduced the latest generation Li L9 extended-range SUV, including a Livis variant that places intelligent technology at the center of its value proposition. The Li L9 Livis is priced from 509,800 yuan and has been promoted primarily through its advanced software and intelligent driving capabilities rather than traditional vehicle performance metrics.

The vehicle integrates two self-developed Mach M100 smart driving chips. Manufactured using a 5-nanometer automotive-grade process, each chip delivers up to 1,280 TOPS of computing performance. According to the company, the Mach M100 represents the world's most powerful dataflow architecture edge inference chip currently available for automotive applications.

Alongside its computing platform, the vehicle incorporates a drive-by-wire chassis system featuring active suspension and steer-by-wire technology. These systems enable millisecond-level response times and are designed to support increasingly sophisticated autonomous and intelligent driving functions.

Key Technologies Featured in Li Auto's Livis Ecosystem

AI Glasses and Organizational Changes Support Expansion

Li Auto has also expanded the Livis ecosystem beyond vehicles. Its Livis AI glasses recently received a significant over-the-air software update. Starting at 1,999 yuan and weighing only 36 grams, the wearable device serves as another consumer-facing platform through which the company plans to extend its AI capabilities and gather practical user interaction experience.

To strengthen its AI ambitions, Li Auto completed a restructuring of its foundation model division in late May. The company established three dedicated departments focused on embodied engineering, embodied interaction, and embodied behavior. At the same time, its autonomous driving operation was reorganized into a separately managed secondary department, creating a more specialized structure for future AI development.

Robot Development Forms Part of Long-Term Vision

The restructuring is closely connected to Li Auto's internal robotics initiative known by the codename Nexus. The company intends to launch its first two-wheeled robot later this year for manufacturing applications within factory environments. These controlled deployment scenarios are expected to help refine embodied intelligence technologies before broader commercial adoption.

This approach mirrors strategies being pursued by Tesla, where robotics development serves as a pathway toward eventual commercialization of more advanced general-purpose humanoid robots. By testing AI systems in structured industrial environments, Li Auto aims to accelerate learning cycles while reducing deployment risks.

Financial Pressures Continue to Challenge Growth

Despite its aggressive investment in AI and software, Li Auto is simultaneously dealing with significant financial headwinds. During the first quarter of the year, the company reported a net loss of 2.3 billion yuan, ending a multi-quarter period of profitability. The deterioration was largely attributed to intense competition and pricing pressure across the EV sector.

Gross margin declined sharply to 7.9% from 20.5% in the same period a year earlier, reflecting lower vehicle profitability and changes in product mix. The company also reported that vehicle deliveries in May fell 18% year over year to 33,350 units, underscoring the challenges facing its core automotive operations.

Li L8 Update Expected to Support Recovery Efforts

As part of its strategy to improve sales momentum and profitability, Li Auto plans to launch the updated Li L8 flagship SUV later in June. The new model will shift from the existing six-seat configuration to a premium five-seat layout, allowing clearer differentiation from the Li L9 and reducing internal product competition.

Regulatory filing information indicates that the Li L8 will also receive a Livis variant, extending the company's AI-focused branding strategy across a broader portion of its vehicle lineup. Through the combination of new products, AI investments, software development, and robotics initiatives, Li Auto is attempting to build new growth opportunities while addressing ongoing challenges in its automotive business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Li Auto's Livis Day event?
Livis Day is a software and artificial intelligence event where Li Auto plans to explain its embodied intelligence strategy and future technology roadmap. The event will showcase the company's progress in AI, software development, intelligent mobility technologies, and related innovations. It also highlights Li Auto's broader ambition to evolve beyond vehicle manufacturing and establish itself as a leading AI-focused technology company within the competitive Chinese automotive market.

What is the purpose of Li Auto's Nexus robot project?
The Nexus project is Li Auto's internal robotics initiative focused on developing embodied intelligence technologies. The company plans to deploy a two-wheeled robot in manufacturing environments to improve AI learning and real-world interaction capabilities. By testing systems in controlled factory settings, Li Auto aims to accelerate technological development while building expertise that could eventually support more advanced robotics products and future commercial applications.

Why is Li Auto investing heavily in AI despite financial pressures?
Li Auto views artificial intelligence as a critical long-term growth opportunity and a competitive differentiator. Although the company is facing declining margins, lower deliveries, and a quarterly net loss, it continues investing in software, AI chips, robotics, and intelligent products. Management believes these technologies can create new revenue opportunities, strengthen product competitiveness, and position the company for future developments in smart mobility, automation, and embodied intelligence.