Here are a few issues I noticed with the i8:

1. Pricing isn't the real issue—positioning is. If the i8 is meant to be a pure-electric L9, why stick to a strict 5-meter length limit? It could easily extend the rear by another 20 cm, which would at least explain the lack of a front trunk and the shallow rear floor. A large six-seater that can't hold luggage for a cross-province trip is bizarre. For ICE cars, the engine, fuel tank, drivetrain, and safety requirements make storage limitations understandable, but why is it so bad for a pure EV? The only explanation is that there was supposed to be an i9, but somehow Li Auto scrapped it, thinking the i8 was enough.

2. The exterior was tweaked to look more conventional, but the buzz during the reveal wasn't particularly strong. I get their reflection on the MEGA, but the changes didn't translate into actual sales. Now, with MEGA's numbers rebounding, those adjustments seem wasted. At the end of the day, if you change to please traditionalists but don't go all the way, you're neither here nor there. If the front of the car gets rejected in showrooms, does the rear even matter?

3. Standard air suspension as a price anchor doesn't mean much in the pure-EV battlefield. Tesla doesn't have it at all, Xiaomi only offers it on high trims, and others have it standard at lower prices. Holding above 300,000 is a gamble—not worth it. Also, worrying about the i8 cannibalizing the L8 at this stage is dangerous. If you're making the i8, the L8 has to be the sacrificial SKU.

4. The i6's pricing is a hot potato. Competitors' large six-seaters are already near the YU7's entry-level price, making the 'family appeal' angle almost impossible. But 'sporty' doesn't fit Li Auto either, so pricing is critical. I think the i6 shouldn't exceed the L6's current price—at least that way, it can help transition the brand to a pure-EV lineup without losing volume.

5. The lineup is comprehensive, but points 1-4 seriously hurt marketing efficiency. The i8 is stuck for now, so it's up to the i6 to fix these issues.