Are Li Auto and NIO the same company?
2 Answers
Li Auto and NIO are not the same company. Both Li Auto and NIO are domestic new energy vehicle manufacturers, but Li Auto manufactures extended-range electric vehicles, while NIO manufactures pure electric vehicles. Li Auto is a Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer that designs, develops, manufactures, and sells luxury intelligent electric vehicles. It was founded in July 2015 and provides safe and convenient products and services for family users through product innovation and technological research and development. Li Auto's first product, the Li ONE, was launched in October 2018. It is an intelligent electric mid-to-large SUV equipped with leading extended-range electric technology and intelligent features, offering a comfortable 6-seater space for family users. Li Auto is a pure intelligent electric vehicle brand with the concept of creating intelligent electric vehicles without range anxiety for users. The way Li Auto achieves this concept is by manufacturing extended-range electric vehicles. Extended-range technology involves using a fuel engine to charge the battery pack, which then powers the electric motor to drive the vehicle. NIO is a global intelligent electric vehicle brand founded in November 2014. Its main products include the NIO ES6, NIO ES8, NIO EVE, and NIO EP9.
To be honest, as a long-time follower of new energy vehicles, I can confidently say that Li Auto and NIO are not the same company. Li Auto was founded by Li Xiang in 2015, focusing on extended-range electric vehicles like the Li ONE, which feature an engine-assisted charging system for worry-free long-distance driving. On the other hand, NIO is a premium brand established by William Li in 2014, specializing in pure electric vehicles such as the ES8 or ET7, with support for fast battery swapping technology. Both compete in China's new energy vehicle camp, but their product strategies differ—Li Auto targets family practicality, while NIO leans toward business luxury. Users might confuse their names, but their founders, headquarters, and vehicle technologies are entirely separate. Simply put, they follow different paths with vastly distinct market positioning. Buying a Li Auto means visiting their dedicated stores, whereas NIO has its own battery swap station network—completely different experiences.