Li Auto-W (02015.HK) will announce its second-quarter results on Wednesday. According to a Visible Alpha survey of analysts, the company expects to record a net loss of RMB 1.52 billion (approximately US$226.1 million) in the second quarter, compared to a net profit of RMB 1.09 billion in the same period last year; total revenue is expected to be RMB 25.17 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 17%.
After a significant drop in gross margin to 7.9% in the first quarter, investors are watching whether the company can achieve a gross margin exceeding 10% in the second quarter to assess whether its profitability is poised for a turnaround. The company has recently been continuously updating its core L-series models, which Jefferies expects will help drive sales recovery and ultimately improve gross margin.
After a year-on-year decrease of 11.5% in deliveries in the second quarter, investors are watching whether Li Auto can return to year-on-year delivery growth in the third quarter. Jefferies expects the refreshed L6 to be a key driver of sales recovery, with monthly L6 sales expected to increase from an average of approximately 5,000 units in the first half of the year to approximately 10,000 units in September. The company also launched the new L9 and L8, completing the replacement of its L-series models.
Furthermore, investors are also focused on whether Li Auto's pure electric vehicles can penetrate the market. The company's i8 model performed below expectations, while the lower-positioned i6 has become a key volume driver. Management's comments on the i6's order growth momentum, profitability, and the upcoming i9 model will help determine whether Li Auto's strategy of entering the pure electric vehicle market can become a second growth engine.
