LI

Consumer Cyclical

Li Auto Inc. · Auto - Manufacturers · $16B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
41.5
Below Average

Li Auto Inc. scores 41.5/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Consumer Cyclical Sector
LI
41.5
Sector avg
37.7
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Good
Risk
Good
Valuation
Good

What is Li Auto Inc.?

Li Auto Inc. is a Chinese premium electric vehicle maker focused on smart, extended-range SUVs and MPVs for family buyers. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Beijing, the company sells directly to consumers through online and offline channels across China.

Li Auto designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium smart electric vehicles — primarily SUVs and MPVs — targeting family-oriented buyers in China's fast-growing new energy vehicle market. Revenue comes from vehicle sales supported by an expanding after-sales service network. The company also offers technology development and corporate management services. Products are distributed through a blend of company-operated showrooms and a direct online sales platform, giving it control over the customer experience from discovery through delivery.

Li Auto was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Beijing, China.

  • Premium extended-range electric SUVs
  • Smart electric MPVs for family use
  • After-sales and vehicle service management
  • Online and offline direct sales channels
  • In-vehicle smart technology and software systems

Is LI a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates LI as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful structural challenges alongside some brighter spots.

Li Auto's Growth pillar stands out as a relative highlight, consistent with the company's rapid expansion in China's competitive EV landscape. The Risk and Valuation pillars also register as Good, suggesting the stock is not pricing in excessive optimism and that near-term financial stress appears contained.

The Quality and Moat pillars both register as Weak — the two most significant drags on the overall score — pointing to questions around business durability and the company's ability to defend its position against well-funded rivals.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does LI pay dividends?

No — Li Auto Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.

Li Auto does not currently pay a dividend. As a growth-stage EV manufacturer competing in a capital-intensive market, the company prioritizes reinvesting resources into product development, manufacturing capacity, and technology. Income-focused investors should note that dividend distributions are not part of Li Auto's current financial strategy.

When does LI report earnings?

Li Auto reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for companies listed on US exchanges.

Revenue growth has been a defining theme for Li Auto in recent periods, driven by expanding vehicle deliveries across its SUV and MPV lineup. However, profitability and margin consistency remain areas to watch as the company scales and competition intensifies across China's EV sector.

For the most recent quarter's results, visit Li Auto's official investor relations page.

LI Price History

-20.6% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Li Auto Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$9,656
That's a -3.4% total return, or -0.7% annualized.

Based on Li Auto Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

LI Long-term Outlook

Li Auto's Growth pillar suggests the company still has meaningful expansion ahead, supported by rising EV adoption in China and a broadening product lineup. The Good Risk rating indicates the balance sheet is not under immediate pressure. That said, the Weak Quality and Moat scores introduce uncertainty about whether current growth rates can translate into durable, high-quality earnings over the long run.

Growth drivers

  • Continued penetration of China's premium family EV segment
  • Expansion of the SUV and MPV product portfolio
  • Growing after-sales and technology services revenue

Key risks

  • Intense price competition from domestic and international EV rivals
  • Weak moat leaves market share vulnerable to better-resourced competitors
  • Execution risk as the company scales manufacturing and technology investment

LI vs Peers

Li Auto competes in a crowded premium EV and smart vehicle space alongside both domestic Chinese rivals and global legacy automakers.

BMWYYLI scores higher
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

BMW brings decades of global luxury brand equity and a diversified ICE-plus-EV portfolio, giving it a broader moat than pure-play Chinese EV startups.

XPEVLI scores lower
XPeng Inc.

XPeng focuses heavily on autonomous driving technology and software-defined vehicles, positioning itself as a tech-first EV brand in China's mid-to-premium segment.

NIOLI scores lower
NIO Inc.

NIO differentiates through its battery-swap network and premium lifestyle branding, targeting a similar family and professional buyer demographic as Li Auto.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Li Auto do?

Li Auto designs, manufactures, and sells premium smart electric vehicles — mainly SUVs and MPVs — in China. The company targets family buyers with extended-range and fully electric models, selling through both online platforms and physical showrooms. It also provides after-sales services and technology development.

Does LI pay dividends?

No, Li Auto does not currently pay a dividend. The company reinvests available capital into product development, manufacturing, and technology to support its growth ambitions in China's competitive EV market. Investors seeking regular income should factor this into their decision.

When does LI report earnings?

Li Auto reports financial results on a quarterly basis, consistent with US-listed company norms. For exact upcoming reporting dates and the most recent quarterly results, check Li Auto's investor relations page directly.

Is LI a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates LI as Below Average overall. While Growth, Risk, and Valuation pillars show relative strength, the Weak Quality and Moat scores raise questions about long-term earnings durability. Investors should weigh these factors carefully. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is LI overvalued?

Li Auto's Valuation pillar is rated Good, suggesting the stock is not obviously expensive relative to its fundamentals and sector peers. However, valuation alone does not determine investment merit — the Weak Quality and Moat scores are important context. View the complete analysis on UQS Pro.

How does LI compare to its competitors?

Li Auto competes with domestic Chinese EV makers like NIO and XPeng, as well as global luxury automakers such as BMW. Each rival brings different strengths — BMW has brand heritage and scale, XPeng leads on autonomous driving software, and NIO differentiates through battery-swap infrastructure. Li Auto's family-focused SUV and MPV lineup is its primary differentiator.

What is LI's market cap bracket?

Li Auto is classified as a large-cap company, placing it among the more substantial publicly traded EV manufacturers globally. Large-cap status generally reflects meaningful scale, though it does not guarantee financial quality or competitive durability.

Who founded Li Auto?

Li Auto was founded in 2015 by Li Xiang, a well-known Chinese entrepreneur who previously co-founded the automotive media platform Autohome. The company was formerly known as Leading Ideal Inc. before rebranding to Li Auto Inc. in July 2020.

Is LI a long-term quality investment?

From a long-term quality perspective, LI's UQS profile presents a mixed picture. The Good Growth rating points to expansion potential, but the Weak Quality and Moat scores suggest the business has not yet demonstrated the durable competitive advantages typically associated with high-quality long-term holdings. Pro members can access the full multi-pillar view.

What is the main competitive advantage of Li Auto?

Li Auto's primary differentiator is its focus on extended-range electric SUVs and MPVs tailored to Chinese family buyers — a segment it helped define. Its direct sales model and integrated after-sales network also support customer retention. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak relative to broader sector peers.

What sector does LI belong to?

Li Auto is classified under the Consumer Cyclical sector, reflecting the discretionary nature of vehicle purchases. EV demand in China is sensitive to consumer confidence, government policy, and competitive pricing — all factors that can amplify cyclical swings in the sector.

Is LI a growth stock or value stock?

Based on UQS pillar labels, LI leans toward the growth side — its Growth pillar is rated Good and Valuation is also Good, meaning it is not priced at a deep discount but is not excessively stretched either. It does not fit a classic value profile given its reinvestment-heavy business model.

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Pro Analysis

LI — Score History

303540455055Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 4 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 13, 202641.57.320.065.071.273.3+3.0
May 8, 202638.50.020.065.036.9100.0-3.0
Apr 18, 202641.57.320.065.071.273.3-4.0
Apr 2, 202645.57.320.065.071.2100.0

LI — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

7.3/100 (25%)

Li Auto Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsWeak

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

65.0/100 (20%)

Li Auto Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRStrong

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

71.2/100 (15%)

Li Auto Inc. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.

Financial LeverageStrong

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioModerate

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

73.3/100 (15%)

Li Auto Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

20/100 (25%)

Li Auto Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for LI.

Score Composition

Quality
7.3×25%1.8
Growth
65.0×20%13.0
Risk
71.2×15%10.7
Valuation
73.3×15%11.0
Moat
20.0×25%5.0
Total
41.5Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the LI UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Li Auto Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Li Auto Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Li Auto Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.