Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) will launch a redesigned version of its Li L6 extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) sport utility vehicle in July 2026, refreshing the brand's formerly best-selling entry-level model as it works to reverse a slide in deliveries. Li Xinyang, head of Li Auto's product line, confirmed the timeline in a Weibo post on June 16, 2026, saying the "new-generation Li L6 will meet everyone in July."

The redesign arrives as demand for the outgoing L6 has cratered. Deliveries fell 73.47% year-on-year to 4,983 units in May 2026 as buyers held off pending the new model, and Li Auto's total deliveries dropped 14.84% year-on-year to 30,895 units in June, marking a second straight month of annual decline and leaving first-half 2026 deliveries down 5.13% at 193,472 units.

The L6 refresh follows a broader overhaul of Li Auto's L-series EREV lineup. The redesigned Li L9 launched May 15, 2026, drawing more than 10,000 firm orders for its premium Livis version within two weeks, and the all-new five-seat Li L8 arrived June 23, 2026, switching from a six-seat layout to a five-seat one with an in-house chip and 430 km (267 miles) of CLTC electric range.

The updated L6 keeps its 4,935 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, 1,735 mm tall body on a 2,920 mm wheelbase — 10 mm longer than before — and retains its 1.5-liter turbocharged range extender rated at 113 kW. The headline change is a battery upgrade from 36.8 kWh to 51 kWh, lifting CLTC-rated pure-electric range past 300 km (186 miles) and WLTC range to 234 km (145 miles), up from 212 km (132 miles) CLTC on the current model.

Design updates include a reshaped front bumper that drops the one-piece grille for a larger lower intake, semi-hidden door handles, a license plate relocated to the tailgate and blacked-out taillight interiors. The cabin adds a four-screen layout spanning a head-up display, digital cluster, center touchscreen and front-passenger display, all running Qualcomm's 8295P chip, alongside upgraded Nappa leather and a new black-and-brown color scheme. Buyers can option a four-lidar suite for side and rear coverage, and the range-topping trim is expected to carry dual Mach M100 chips matching the L9's compute.

The outgoing 2025 L6 is priced from 249,800 CNY (c. $36,770) for the Pro trim and 279,800 CNY (c. $41,180) for the Max trim; Li Auto has not confirmed pricing for the new generation.

The relaunch lands as extended-range EVs cede ground to battery-electric models in China. EREV retail sales fell 28.0% year-on-year to 85,000 units in May 2026, and their share of the new-energy-vehicle market slipped to 7%, prompting a public dispute between Li Auto founder Li Xiang and Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO) sub-brand Onvo's president Shen Fei over whether EREVs still have a future.

Competition within the segment has also intensified: Huawei-backed AITO, built by Seres Group (HKEX: 9927), priced its new M9 flagship from 479,800 CNY (c. $70,620) and delivered more than 8,000 units within two weeks of its late-May launch, while Xiaomi Corp (HKEX: 1810) has signaled plans to enter the extended-range SUV segment directly.

Whether a bigger battery and sharper styling are enough to pull Li Auto's best-selling EREV back toward its 2025 delivery pace, or whether buyers have already moved on to battery-electric alternatives, should become clear in the sales data over the rest of the year.

Conversion rate: 1 USD = 6.7951 CNY as of July 6, 2026