Li Auto's President of Second Product Line, Zhang Xiao, Departs as Product Lines Merge

[Personnel Change] Zhang Xiao, President of Li Auto's Second Product Line, has recently left the company. The first and second product lines will now be merged under the unified leadership of Tang Jing.

⚡ Key Development: Early Core Member Voluntarily Steps Down Amid Product Line Restructuring

Zhang Xiao, Li Auto’s first-ever vehicle product manager, joined the company in May 2016 and led the definition of models including the Li ONE, L9, and i8. His departure is reportedly a personal decision, with potential plans to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.

📊 Key Metrics: i8 Sales Fall Short of Expectations, Peaking Below 7,000 Units Monthly

Since its launch on July 29, 2025, the Li Auto i8 has received a lukewarm market response. Monthly sales from August to November ranged between 2,212 and 6,719 units, failing to support the company’s pure-electric transition strategy. Within one week of launch, the model lineup was streamlined to a single Max trim (priced at RMB 339,800).

🔍 Strategic Rationale: Organizational Streamlining to Address Pure-Electric Challenges

The original three product lines—targeting price segments above RMB 400,000, RMB 300,000–400,000, and below RMB 300,000—were established in April 2024. Due to the i8’s underwhelming performance, the first and second product lines are now being merged under Tang Jing’s unified management to concentrate resources and improve operational efficiency.