The Chinese company Li Auto is preparing for its debut in Europe with the fully electric crossover i6, which will be called the Li 6. The premiere is scheduled for the Paris Motor Show in October 2026, and sales will begin in the fourth quarter of this year.
In the Old World, Li Auto will apply a contrasting strategy: in Europe it is betting on battery electric vehicles, whereas in the Middle East and Central Asia the company is promoting its extended-range L-series hybrids with a range of over 1000 km. This regional approach makes it possible to better match local environmental requirements and infrastructure. In Europe, where charging networks are developed well enough, it makes more sense to bet on pure electric drive.
Preparation has been under way for several years, but the pace accelerated noticeably in the 2025th year. In January 2025, a research centre officially opened in Munich, where teams work on design, power semiconductors, chassis systems and certification to European standards. In February, Li Auto joined the European Chamber of Commerce in China — an influential business organisation that represents the interests of more than a thousand Chinese companies in the EU. The company has also hired experienced specialists, including experts from the XPeng and Chery background, to adapt its products to European requirements.
The first step in the market is symbolic and practical at the same time. In September 2026, Li Auto became an official partner of the Solheim Cup, a prestigious international women's team golf championship in the Netherlands. The company provided 20 i6 crossovers to transport the tournament's participants and guests — a practical way to demonstrate the convenience, comfort and technological sophistication of its flagship electric vehicle in real-world conditions.
The entry strategy calls for starting with the Benelux countries — the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Later the company is counting on the United Kingdom, where there are no additional EU duties on Chinese electric vehicles, which gives a price advantage. The Li 6 model is a five-seat crossover with a length of 4950 mm, a lithium iron phosphate battery with a capacity of 87,3 kWh and a range of up to 720 km on the Chinese CLTC cycle. The European version will use Li Auto's proprietary batteries and the Mach chip for driver assistance systems, which enables autonomous driving in the city.
The appearance of Li Auto in the European premium electric crossover segment will be an event. Competing with the BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo EX60 is a serious challenge, but Li Auto has already proven in China its ability to build volume: by June 2026, cumulative production of the i6 exceeded 150 thousand units. In Spain and other southern European countries, this means a new choice in the premium segment with advanced technologies already tested on the vast Chinese market. The main test is to quickly adapt prices, service and marketing to European realities and consumer expectations.
The long-term effect of Li Auto's expansion is an acceleration of the electrification of Europe's vehicle fleet and sharper competition in the intelligent electric crossover segment. Drivers will benefit from a greater choice of models and, possibly, more affordable advanced options such as autonomous driving systems and fast charging.
