LI AUTO-W Refutes Claims of Significant Store Closures and Layoffs as Misinformation
Clarification on Rumors: LI AUTO has addressed online rumors regarding massive store closures and layoffs, stating that these claims are false and that only a small number of low-efficiency retail stores will be closed this year.
Current Retail Presence: As of December last year, LI AUTO operated 548 retail centers across 159 cities in China, despite not meeting its delivery targets for the year, with a total of 406,000 vehicles delivered.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on 02015
About the author
Citi Supports BYD COMPANY/ PONY-W, Outlines 5 Advantages and Obstacles for China's Automotive Sector
Citi's Outlook on Chinese Carmakers: Citi has a neutral outlook for Chinese carmakers in 1Q26, predicting that BYD, Geely, and Leapmotor may outperform the market due to model updates and strong export growth, while others like Seres and Li Auto may struggle with profit margins and weak sales.
Industry Challenges and Tailwinds: The Chinese auto industry is expected to face five major tailwinds, including increased EV market share and export growth, but also five challenges such as rising costs and cautious retail growth for EVs, leading to a potential decline in wholesale and retail forecasts for FY26.
Stock Recommendations: Citi has recommended several stocks, including BYD, Pony, WeRide, Hesai, Minth Group, and Weichai Power, amidst a backdrop of short selling activity and varying market performance.
Market Conditions: The report highlights a potential end to the price war in passenger vehicles and a favorable phase for commercial vehicle demand, while also noting high inventory levels of fuel vehicles as a concern for the market.
LI AUTO-W Implements Structural Changes, Reorganizes R&D into Three Key Teams to Boost Robot Development: Sources Suggest
Organizational Restructuring: LI AUTO-W is initiating a new round of organizational restructuring of its R&D system, forming three major teams: Base Model Team, Software Ontology Team, and Hardware Ontology Team.
Changes in Leadership: The autonomous driving team will be split, with Lang Xianpeng becoming the head of the Hardware Ontology Team, focusing on robot development, while the autonomous driving functions will be integrated into the Software Ontology Team led by Gou Xiaofei.
CICC Maintains Outperform Rating on LI AUTO-W, Emphasizing Attention on Variants and Upgrades for L-Series Range-Extended Models
Sales Performance: LI AUTO-W has faced past sales failures, which have been reflected in its stock pricing, as noted by CICC in their research report.
Operational Adjustments: The company has been making operational adjustments since the second half of 2025, prompting CICC to recommend focusing on the upgrades and variants of its L-series range-extended models.
AI Ecosystem Potential: CICC highlighted the potential of LI AUTO-W's AI ecosystem, including developments in AI glasses and robots, as a key area for investors to watch.
Investment Rating: CICC maintains an Outperform rating for LI AUTO-W with a target price set at HKD100, indicating confidence in the company's future performance despite current challenges.
LI AUTO-W Refutes Claims of Significant Store Closures and Layoffs as Misinformation
Clarification on Rumors: LI AUTO has addressed online rumors regarding massive store closures and layoffs, stating that these claims are false and that only a small number of low-efficiency retail stores will be closed this year.
Current Retail Presence: As of December last year, LI AUTO operated 548 retail centers across 159 cities in China, despite not meeting its delivery targets for the year, with a total of 406,000 vehicles delivered.
HSI Rises by 44 Points; POP MART Jumps 6%; BIDU-SW Increases by 4%
Market Performance: The HSI closed up 44 points (0.17%) at 26,629, while the HSCEI fell 8 points (0.1%) to 9,114. The HSTECH rose 16 points (0.28%) to 5,762, with a total market turnover of HKD234.86 billion.
Chip Stocks Rally: Following a rally in memory chip stocks, ASMPT surged 6.3% to HKD108.2, while other chip makers like SMIC and HUA HONG SEMI also saw gains, reflecting positive sentiment in the sector.
Tech Stock Movements: BIDU-SW increased by 4.1% after JPMorgan raised its target price, while TENCENT and MEITUAN-W dipped slightly. BABA-W and JD-SW experienced modest gains.
Automotive and AI Stocks: BYD edged up 0.7%, while XPENG and SERES saw declines. AI stocks like UNISOUND and FOURTH PARADIGM dropped significantly, indicating volatility in the tech and automotive sectors.
HSI Ends at 26,629, Gaining 44 Points; HSTI Finishes at 5,762, Up 16 Points; POP MART Surges Over 5%; WHARF REIC, BIDU-SW, SHK PPT, SINOPEC CORP, CK ASSET Reach New Peaks; Market Turnover Increases
Market Performance: The HSI rose by 44 points (0.2%) to 26,629, while the HSTI increased by 16 points (0.3%) to 5,762, and the HSCEI fell by 8 points (0.1%) to 9,114, with a market turnover of $234.86 billion.
Active Heavyweights: Notable movements included PING AN down 2.3%, BABA up 1%, TENCENT down 0.8%, and XIAOMI down 0.5%, with significant short selling activity across these stocks.
Top Gainers: POP MART surged by 5.97%, WHARF REIC increased by 4.8%, LI AUTO rose by 4.1%, and BIDU-SW also gained 4.1%, all hitting new highs.
Notable Declines: CHINA LIFE fell by 3.82%, while CHINAHONGQIAO decreased by 3%, amidst varying short selling ratios for these stocks.
Citi Supports BYD COMPANY/ PONY-W, Outlines 5 Advantages and Obstacles for China's Automotive Sector
Citi's Outlook on Chinese Carmakers: Citi has a neutral outlook for Chinese carmakers in 1Q26, predicting that BYD, Geely, and Leapmotor may outperform the market due to model updates and strong export growth, while others like Seres and Li Auto may struggle with profit margins and weak sales.
Industry Challenges and Tailwinds: The Chinese auto industry is expected to face five major tailwinds, including increased EV market share and export growth, but also five challenges such as rising costs and cautious retail growth for EVs, leading to a potential decline in wholesale and retail forecasts for FY26.
Stock Recommendations: Citi has recommended several stocks, including BYD, Pony, WeRide, Hesai, Minth Group, and Weichai Power, amidst a backdrop of short selling activity and varying market performance.
Market Conditions: The report highlights a potential end to the price war in passenger vehicles and a favorable phase for commercial vehicle demand, while also noting high inventory levels of fuel vehicles as a concern for the market.
LI AUTO-W Implements Structural Changes, Reorganizes R&D into Three Key Teams to Boost Robot Development: Sources Suggest
Organizational Restructuring: LI AUTO-W is initiating a new round of organizational restructuring of its R&D system, forming three major teams: Base Model Team, Software Ontology Team, and Hardware Ontology Team.
Changes in Leadership: The autonomous driving team will be split, with Lang Xianpeng becoming the head of the Hardware Ontology Team, focusing on robot development, while the autonomous driving functions will be integrated into the Software Ontology Team led by Gou Xiaofei.
CICC Maintains Outperform Rating on LI AUTO-W, Emphasizing Attention on Variants and Upgrades for L-Series Range-Extended Models
Sales Performance: LI AUTO-W has faced past sales failures, which have been reflected in its stock pricing, as noted by CICC in their research report.
Operational Adjustments: The company has been making operational adjustments since the second half of 2025, prompting CICC to recommend focusing on the upgrades and variants of its L-series range-extended models.
AI Ecosystem Potential: CICC highlighted the potential of LI AUTO-W's AI ecosystem, including developments in AI glasses and robots, as a key area for investors to watch.
Investment Rating: CICC maintains an Outperform rating for LI AUTO-W with a target price set at HKD100, indicating confidence in the company's future performance despite current challenges.
LI AUTO-W Refutes Claims of Significant Store Closures and Layoffs as Misinformation
Clarification on Rumors: LI AUTO has addressed online rumors regarding massive store closures and layoffs, stating that these claims are false and that only a small number of low-efficiency retail stores will be closed this year.
Current Retail Presence: As of December last year, LI AUTO operated 548 retail centers across 159 cities in China, despite not meeting its delivery targets for the year, with a total of 406,000 vehicles delivered.
HSI Rises by 44 Points; POP MART Jumps 6%; BIDU-SW Increases by 4%
Market Performance: The HSI closed up 44 points (0.17%) at 26,629, while the HSCEI fell 8 points (0.1%) to 9,114. The HSTECH rose 16 points (0.28%) to 5,762, with a total market turnover of HKD234.86 billion.
Chip Stocks Rally: Following a rally in memory chip stocks, ASMPT surged 6.3% to HKD108.2, while other chip makers like SMIC and HUA HONG SEMI also saw gains, reflecting positive sentiment in the sector.
Tech Stock Movements: BIDU-SW increased by 4.1% after JPMorgan raised its target price, while TENCENT and MEITUAN-W dipped slightly. BABA-W and JD-SW experienced modest gains.
Automotive and AI Stocks: BYD edged up 0.7%, while XPENG and SERES saw declines. AI stocks like UNISOUND and FOURTH PARADIGM dropped significantly, indicating volatility in the tech and automotive sectors.
HSI Ends at 26,629, Gaining 44 Points; HSTI Finishes at 5,762, Up 16 Points; POP MART Surges Over 5%; WHARF REIC, BIDU-SW, SHK PPT, SINOPEC CORP, CK ASSET Reach New Peaks; Market Turnover Increases
Market Performance: The HSI rose by 44 points (0.2%) to 26,629, while the HSTI increased by 16 points (0.3%) to 5,762, and the HSCEI fell by 8 points (0.1%) to 9,114, with a market turnover of $234.86 billion.
Active Heavyweights: Notable movements included PING AN down 2.3%, BABA up 1%, TENCENT down 0.8%, and XIAOMI down 0.5%, with significant short selling activity across these stocks.
Top Gainers: POP MART surged by 5.97%, WHARF REIC increased by 4.8%, LI AUTO rose by 4.1%, and BIDU-SW also gained 4.1%, all hitting new highs.
Notable Declines: CHINA LIFE fell by 3.82%, while CHINAHONGQIAO decreased by 3%, amidst varying short selling ratios for these stocks.
