Li Auto (LI) Short Bets Surge to Record High Amid 24.4% Delivery Decline
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 23 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Surge in Short Bets: As of Wednesday, short bets against Li Auto reached 9.6% of free float, a significant increase from 1% a year ago, indicating a bearish outlook on the company's future performance.
- Declining Deliveries: In December 2025, Li Auto delivered 44,246 vehicles, bringing total fourth-quarter deliveries to 109,194, and despite a sequential recovery, this marked a 24.4% year-over-year decline, highlighting increasing competitive pressures.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Li Auto has become the most shorted Chinese automaker since last year, reflecting its struggles to fend off rivals in the premium SUV market, with its stock price dropping approximately 25% over the past year.
- Decreasing Profitability: According to S3 Partners, Li Auto was the second-most profitable short in the Asia-Pacific region, trailing only Meituan, indicating its vulnerable market position, with short demand expected to remain high but volatile in the near term.
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Analyst Views on LI
Wall Street analysts forecast LI stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
9 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 12.040
Low
15.00
Averages
20.51
High
32.00
Current: 12.040
Low
15.00
Averages
20.51
High
32.00
About LI
Li Auto Inc is a holding company primarily engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, and sales of smart electric vehicles. The Company’s main products include the Li L9, Li L8, Li L7, Li L6, and Li MEGA, encompassing six-seat sport utility vehicles (SUVs), five-seat SUVs, and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs). The Company is also engaged in research and development activities relating to intelligent vehicle technologies, the design, development and manufacturing of various components and systems for new energy vehicles, and the provision of value-added services such as charging, vehicle maintenance and repair. The Company mainly conducts its businesses within domestic market.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Market Value Status: Nio's current market capitalization stands at approximately $12.8 billion, aligning with Li Auto and slightly above Xpeng, despite its U.S.-listed shares declining 13% in June and facing a fourth consecutive week of losses, indicating market concerns about its future growth.
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See More
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- New Model Launch: Li Auto officially launched the all-new Li L8 on Wednesday, with prices set at RMB 369,800 and RMB 429,800 for its five-seat extended-range SUV, expected to begin deliveries within the week, marking the company's flagship position in the family user market.
- Enhanced Range: The latest L8 features a roughly 72.7 kWh 5C battery, delivering a CLTC all-electric range of about 430 km and a combined range of approximately 1,670 km, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of around 5.3 seconds, showcasing robust performance capabilities.
- Market Competitiveness: The L8 integrates Li Auto's latest AD Pro/AD Max driver-assistance hardware and in-vehicle computing systems, positioning it competitively against higher-end “9-series” SUVs in the Chinese market, reflecting the company's ongoing technological innovation.
- Optimistic Sales Outlook: Deutsche Bank highlighted that the L8's pricing is lower than expected, forecasting average monthly sales of about 5,000 units for the new-generation L8, despite Li Auto's stock price declining over 20% in the past six weeks.
See More
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- New Model Launch: Li Auto officially launches the all-new Li L8, available in Ultra and Livis trims priced at RMB 369,800 and RMB 429,800 respectively, which is expected to further solidify its leadership in China's new energy vehicle market.
- Delivery Timeline: Deliveries of the new vehicle will commence within this week, quickly addressing market demand and showcasing Li Auto's efficient execution post-launch, which is likely to enhance customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
- Market Positioning: The Li L8, as a premium smart electric vehicle, aims to attract a broader user base, with Li Auto enhancing its market competitiveness by continuously expanding its product lineup, particularly targeting family users.
- Commitment to Innovation: Li Auto is dedicated to enhancing user experience through proprietary range extension technology and smart solutions, further driving the company's technological leadership in the new energy vehicle sector.
See More
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- EHang Performance Decline: EHang's stock fell to a three-year low of $6.50 after its Q1 net loss widened to RMB 126.4 million ($18.3 million), with only four EH216 eVTOL aircraft delivered compared to 11 last year, indicating significant challenges in delivery growth for the company.
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- Market Sentiment Shift: Despite EHang's retail sentiment improving to 'extremely bullish' on Stocktwits, overall market confidence in EHang, AEVEX, and Li Auto remains low, reflecting skepticism about the profitability and execution capabilities of companies tied to advanced aviation, drones, and electric vehicles.
See More
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- Price Fluctuation: Over the past 52 weeks, LI's stock has seen a low of $13.96 and a high of $32.025, with the latest trade at $14.11, indicating that the stock is hovering near its low, potentially drawing interest from value investors.
- Investor Sentiment: While the current oversold signal may suggest short-term rebound opportunities, investors should remain cautious and consider the overall market environment and the company's fundamentals to avoid potential risks.
See More
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- Market Recovery Signs: According to the China Passenger Car Association, total EV sales in China reached 1.36 million units in May, a 12% year-on-year growth, reflecting an initial recovery in the domestic EV market, with Tesla's growth mirroring this trend.
- Competitor Performance: BYD achieved 376,990 deliveries in May, ending an eight-month streak of declining sales, highlighting intensifying market competition that necessitates Tesla's continuous innovation to maintain its leading position.
- FSD Technology Progress: Tesla announced the rollout of its FSD (Supervised) system in China in May, despite facing legal challenges, this technological advancement could attract more consumers and enhance the brand's image and competitive edge in the market.
See More
