Li Auto's November Deliveries Lag Behind Competitors Nio and Xpeng Amidst Financial Struggles
Li Auto's recent vehicle delivery figures for November 2025 reveal a significant slowdown compared to its primary competitors, Nio and Xpeng. Despite an impressive cumulative delivery count approaching 1.5 million units, the company experienced a notable year-over-year decrease in monthly deliveries. This performance comes alongside a challenging financial period, marked by a substantial drop in stock value and disappointing third-quarter earnings. In contrast, Nio and Xpeng have both reported strong growth in their November deliveries, highlighting a shifting landscape within the competitive electric vehicle market.
The financial health of Li Auto has been a point of concern, with its stock price experiencing a considerable decline over the past year. The company's third-quarter fiscal 2025 report indicated a significant revenue reduction and an adjusted net loss, primarily attributed to decreased deliveries, pressure on profit margins, and expenses related to vehicle recalls. These factors underscore the intensifying competition and evolving investment sentiments surrounding the pure electric vehicle sector, pushing Li Auto to strategize for future competitiveness through organizational enhancements, product diversification, and technological advancements aimed at achieving what it terms "embodied intelligence."
Li Auto's Delivery Downturn and Strategic Response
Li Auto announced its November 2025 vehicle delivery statistics, showing 33,181 units moved, bringing the total number of vehicles delivered since its inception to nearly 1.5 million. However, this monthly figure represents a substantial 31.9% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year, signaling a challenging phase for the company. In response, Li Auto is focusing on increasing the production capacity of its Li i6 model to 20,000 units per month by early next year and plans to introduce its OTA 8.1 update in December. The company is also emphasizing organizational improvements, expanding its product offerings, and integrating new technologies to bolster its competitive edge and drive the evolution towards "embodied intelligence" in its vehicles for the coming decade.
Despite the overall cumulative success, Li Auto's recent monthly delivery performance has raised concerns among investors. The company's strategy involves not only boosting production for key models like the Li i6 but also rolling out significant software updates to enhance vehicle capabilities and user experience. This proactive approach is part of a broader effort to counteract the observed decline in deliveries and strengthen its market position against fierce competition. Li Auto aims to leverage these internal improvements and technological advancements to rebound from its current challenges and ensure long-term growth and innovation in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle industry.
Rivals Nio and Xpeng Outperform with Robust Growth
In stark contrast to Li Auto's performance, its direct competitors, Nio and Xpeng, reported impressive growth in their November 2025 vehicle deliveries. Nio announced a strong showing with 36,275 vehicles delivered, marking a remarkable 76.3% year-over-year increase. This total included a diverse mix of premium EVs, family models under the ONVO brand, and high-end compact EVs from FIREFLY, pushing Nio's cumulative deliveries to nearly 950,000 units by the end of November. Xpeng also demonstrated robust results, delivering 36,728 smart EVs, an increase of 19% compared to the previous year, and achieving significant growth in year-to-date cumulative deliveries, with a notable contribution from overseas markets.
The strong delivery figures from Nio and Xpeng underscore their aggressive expansion and innovation strategies. Nio's success across various market segments, including its premium and more accessible sub-brands, highlights a well-rounded market penetration. Xpeng's advancements in AI technology, such as VLA 2.0 and its humanoid robot, set the stage for future growth and competitive differentiation, with mass production anticipated in 2026. The company's XNGP assisted-driving technology has also seen high urban usage rates, indicating successful integration and adoption by consumers. These performances suggest that while the EV market remains highly competitive, innovation and strategic product diversification are key drivers of success and market leadership.