Quarterly total revenues reached RMB3.58 billion (US$545.7 million)1
Quarterly deliveries were 12,579 vehicles
Quarterly gross margin reached 17.3%

BEIJING, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Li Auto Inc. (“Li Auto” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LI), an innovator in China’s new energy vehicle market, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Operating Highlights for the First Quarter of 2021

  2020 Q1 2020 Q2 2020 Q3 2020 Q4 2021 Q1
           
      Deliveries 2,896 6,604 8,660 14,464 12,579

Financial Highlights for the First Quarter of 2021

Key Financial Results

(in millions, except for percentages)

 For the Three Months Ended % Change5
  March 31, 2020 December 31,2020 March 31, 2021 Y o Y Q o Q
 RMB RMB RMB    
Vehicle sales841.1  4,057.7  3,463.7  311.8% (14.6)%
Vehicle margin8.4% 17.1% 16.9% 8.5% (0.2)%
          
Total revenues851.7  4,146.9  3,575.2  319.8% (13.8)%
Gross profit68.3  724.6  616.7  802.9% (14.9)%
Gross margin8.0% 17.5% 17.3% 9.3% (0.2)%
          
Loss from operations(234.2) (78.9) (407.7) 74.1% 416.7%
Non-GAAP loss from operations(234.2) (71.1) (224.8) (4.0)% 216.2%
          
Net (loss)/income(77.1) 107.5      (360.0) 366.9% N/A 
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income(253.4) 115.4  (177.0) (30.1)% N/A 
          
Operating cash flow(63.0) 1,821.3  926.3  N/A  (49.1)%
Free cash flow(185.2) 1,599.1  570.2  N/A  (64.3)%

Recent Developments

Deliveries Update

Issuance of Convertible Senior Notes

2021 Li ONE

CEO and CFO Comments

Mr. Xiang Li, founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Li Auto, commented, “We delivered 12,579 Li ONEs during the quarter, up 334.4% year over year. Li ONE was the second best-selling new energy SUV in China in the first quarter as our compelling product offering and superior user experience continued to delight users and boost brand awareness, while the unwavering support of our direct sales and servicing network underpinned our growth.

“On May 25, we released our 2021 Li ONE. The model has elevated the extended range electric technology to a brand-new level, achieving an NEDC range of 1,080 kilometers and a WLTC range of 890 kilometers. Its energy efficiency in the fuel mode takes consumption as low as 6.05 liter per 100 kilometers based on the NEDC standard operational condition, a level that is unparalleled among large-sized four-wheel drive SUVs. I am very proud of our R&D team’s successful efforts to improve the range-extended technology.

“The 2021 Li ONE is the first model in the world offering Navigation on ADAS in a standard configuration. Combining our self-developed ADAS with dedicated dual Horizon Robotics Journey 3 processors, an 8-megapixel front-view camera, 5 latest millimeter-wave radars, and high-definition maps, the 2021 Li ONE delivers a safer, easier, and more convenient driving experience, echoing our belief that active safety should be standard, not optional features.

“Li ONE has been well loved by family users for its spacious six-seat interior layout. And the 2021 Li ONE enhances its excellence in space, comfort, and intelligence by equipping the front and second row seats with lumbar massage functions, increasing the leg room in the third row by 41 millimeters, while also featuring a smarter in-car voice assistant ‘Li Xiang Tong Xue (理想同学),’ providing a high caliber and overall more comfortable, roomier, and more intelligent space for more families.

“Is it possible to build a smart electric vehicle that makes families happier? With the 2021 Li ONE, we can confidently say yes, a resounding yes!” concluded Mr. Li.

Mr. Tie Li, chief financial officer of Li Auto, added, “We are pleased with our healthy financial performance during the first quarter. Our total revenues reached RMB3.58 billion, more than quadrupling from the first quarter of 2020 and exceeding the top end of our revenue guidance by 11.2%, while our gross margin stayed robust at 17.3%. Amid our ongoing efforts to enhance investment in R&D as well as our direct sales and servicing network, operating expenses increased 27.5% quarter-over-quarter and 238.6% year-over-year. We also raised over US$840 million in net proceeds through our successful convertible senior notes offering, strengthening our capital base for future growth as we increase our R&D investments in leading technologies, prepare for new model launches, and gear up for further increases in demand.”

Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2021

Revenues

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

Operating Expenses

Loss from Operations

Net Loss and Earnings Per Share

Cash position, Operating Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow

Business Outlook

For the second quarter of 2021, the Company expects:

This business outlook reflects the Company’s current and preliminary view on the business situation and market condition, which is subject to change.

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 (8:00 p.m. Beijing Time on May 26, 2021) to discuss financial results and answer questions from investors and analysts.

For participants who wish to join the call, please complete online registration using the link provided below at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Upon registration, participants will receive the conference call access information, including dial-in numbers, Direct Event passcode, a unique registrant ID and an e-mail with detailed instructions to join the conference call.

Participant Online Registration: http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/8351837 

A replay of the conference call will be accessible through June 3, 2021, by dialing the following numbers:

United States:+1-855-452-5696
Mainland China:+86-400-602-2065
Hong Kong, China:+852-3051-2780
International:+61-2-8199-0299
Conference ID:8351837

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.lixiang.com.  

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

The Company uses Non-GAAP measures, such as Non-GAAP research and development expenses, Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses, Non-GAAP loss from operations, Non-GAAP net (loss)/income, Non-GAAP basic and diluted net (loss) /income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders and free cash flow, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. By excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, changes in fair value of warrants and derivative liabilities, accretion on convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value, net and the effect of exchange rate changes on convertible redeemable preferred shares, the Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in its business and enhance the overall understanding of the Company’s past performance and future prospects. The Company also believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the Company’s management in its financial and operational decision-making.

The Non-GAAP financial measures are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may be different from Non-GAAP methods of accounting and reporting used by other companies. The Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and when assessing the Company’s operating performance, investors should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for net loss or other consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

The Company mitigates these limitations by reconciling the Non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measures, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company’s performance.

For more information on the Non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.

About Li Auto Inc.

Li Auto Inc. is an innovator in China’s new energy vehicle market. The Company designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium smart electric vehicles. Through innovations in product, technology, and business model, the Company provides families with safe, convenient, and refined products and services. Li Auto is a pioneer to successfully commercialize extended-range electric vehicles in China. Its first model, Li ONE, is a six-seat, large premium electric SUV equipped with a range extension system and cutting-edge smart vehicle solutions. The Company started volume production of Li ONE in November 2019 and delivered over 33,500 Li ONEs as of December 31, 2020. The Company leverages technology to create value for its users. It concentrates its in-house development efforts on its proprietary range extension system, next-generation electric vehicle technology, and smart vehicle solutions. Beyond Li ONE, the Company aims to expand its product line by developing new vehicles, including BEVs and EREVs, to target a broader consumer base.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.lixiang.com.  

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Li Auto may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors, or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Li Auto’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Li Auto’s strategies, future business development, and financial condition and results of operations; Li Auto’s limited operating history; risks associated with extended-range electric vehicles, Li Auto’s ability to develop, manufacture, and deliver vehicles of high quality and appeal to customers; Li Auto’s ability to generate positive cash flow and profits; product defects or any other failure of vehicles to perform as expected; Li Auto’s ability to compete successfully; Li Auto’s ability to build its brand and withstand negative publicity; cancellation of orders for Li Auto’s vehicles; Li Auto’s ability to develop new vehicles; and changes in consumer demand and government incentives, subsidies, or other favorable government policies. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Li Auto’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Li Auto does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Li Auto Inc.
Investor Relations
Email: ir@lixiang.com 

The Piacente Group, Inc.
Yang Song
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
Email: Li@tpg-ir.com 

Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
Email: Li@tpg-ir.com 

 

Li Auto Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of (Loss)/Income
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

  For the Three Months Ended
  March 31, 2020 December 31, 2020 March 31, 2021 March 31, 2021
  RMB RMB RMB US$
Revenues:        
Vehicle sales 841,058  4,057,737  3,463,673  528,660 
Other sales and services 10,617  89,160  111,528  17,022 
Total revenues 851,675   4,146,897    3,575,201    545,682  
Cost of sales:        
Vehicle sales (769,996) (3,362,111) (2,878,994) (439,420)
Other sales and services (13,391) (60,189) (79,474) (12,130)
Total cost of sales (783,387)  (3,422,300)  (2,958,468)  (451,550)
Gross profit 68,288   724,597    616,733    94,132  
Operating expenses:        
Research and development (189,690) (374,200) (514,500) (78,528)
Selling, general and administrative (112,761) (429,335) (509,924) (77,830)
Total operating expenses (302,451) (803,535)  (1,024,424)  (156,358)
Loss from operations (234,163) (78,938)  (407,691)  (62,226)
Other (expense)/income:        
Interest expense (19,635) (13,123) (14,582) (2,226)
Interest income and investment income, net (16,175) 169,284  178,472  27,240 
Changes in fair value of warrants and derivative liabilities 176,283  —  —  — 
Others, net 2,204  7,477  (90,211) (13,769)
(Loss)/income before income tax expense  (91,486) 84,700  (334,012) (50,981)
Income tax benefit/(expense) —  22,847  (25,955) (3,962)
Net (loss)/income from continuing operations (91,486) 107,547  (359,967) (54,943)
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax 14,373  —   —  — 
Net (loss)/income  (77,113) 107,547  (359,967)  (54,943)
Accretion on convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value (266,365) —  —  — 
Effect of exchange rate changes on convertible redeemable preferred shares 109,746  —  —  — 
Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders (233,732) 107,547  (359,967) (54,943)
Weighted average number of ADSs        
Basic 127,500,000  863,519,155  904,696,628  904,696,628 
Diluted 127,500,000  891,416,573  904,696,628  904,696,628 
Net (loss)/income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders        
Basic (1.83) 0.12  (0.40) (0.06)
Diluted (1.83) 0.12  (0.40) (0.06)
             



Li Auto Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

  As of
  December 31, 2020 March 31, 2021 March 31, 2021
  RMB RMB US$
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents 8,938,341 6,070,720 926,573
Restricted cash 1,234,178 2,111,642 322,300
Time deposits and short-term investments 19,701,382 22,175,797 3,384,688
Trade receivable 115,549 114,456 17,469
Inventories 1,048,004 1,383,740 211,200
Prepayments and other current assets 353,655 478,555 73,042
Total current assets 31,391,109   32,334,910  4,935,272
Non-current assets:      
Long-term investments 162,853 176,068 26,873
Property, plant and equipment, net 2,478,687 2,547,281 388,791
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 1,277,006 1,331,713 203,259
Intangible assets, net 683,281 684,555 104,484
Other non-current assets 321,184 610,458 93,174
Deferred tax assets 59,156 59,156 9,029
Total non-current assets 4,982,167  5,409,231   825,610
Total assets 36,373,276 37,744,141  5,760,882
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Trade and notes payable 3,160,515 4,311,223 658,021
Amounts due to related parties 19,206 16,135 2,463
Deferred revenue, current 271,510 235,131 35,888
Operating lease liabilities, current 210,531 244,962 37,389
Accruals and other current liabilities 647,459 742,154 113,275
Total current liabilities 4,309,221  5,549,605   847,036
Non-current liabilities:      
Long-term borrowings 511,638 518,631 79,159
Deferred revenue, non-current 135,658 198,554 30,305
Operating and finance lease liabilities, non-current 1,392,136 1,428,485 218,029
Deferred tax liabilities 36,309 62,264 9,503
Other non-current liabilities 184,717 253,942 38,759
Total non-current liabilities 2,260,458  2,461,876   375,755
Total liabilities 6,569,679  8,011,481   1,222,791
Total shareholders’ equity 29,803,597  29,732,660   4,538,091
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 36,373,276  37,744,141   5,760,882
       

Li Auto Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

  For the Three Months Ended
  March 31,
2020		 December 31,
2020		 March 31,
2021		 March 31,
2021
  RMB RMB  RMB US$
Net cash (used in)/ provided by operating activities (63,007) 1,821,341  926,343  141,388 
Net cash used in investing activities (181,417) (8,300,693) (2,892,396) (441,466)
Net cash (used in)/ provided by financing activities (135,977) 9,990,955  —  — 
Effect of exchange rate changes 4,660  (149,910) (24,104) (3,679)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (375,741) 3,361,693  (1,990,157) (303,757)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 1,436,389  6,810,826  10,172,519  1,552,630 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 1,060,648  10,172,519  8,182,362  1,248,873 
         
Net cash (used in)/ provided by operating activities (63,007) 1,821,341  926,343  141,388 
Capital expenditures (122,146) (222,228) (356,131) (54,356)
Free cash flow (185,153) 1,599,113  570,212  87,032 
             

Li Auto Inc.
Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

  For the Three Months Ended
  March 31,
2020		 December 31,
2020		 March 31,
2021		 March 31,
2021
  RMB RMB RMB US$
Cost of sales (783,387) (3,422,300) (2,958,468) (451,550)
Shared-based compensation expenses —  290  6,209  948 
Non-GAAP cost of sales (783,387) (3,422,010)  (2,952,259)  (450,602)
         
Research and development expenses (189,690) (374,200) (514,500) (78,528)
Shared-based compensation expenses —  5,074  116,609  17,798 
Non-GAAP research and development expenses (189,690) (369,126)  (397,891)  (60,730)
         
Selling, general and administrative expenses (112,761) (429,335) (509,924) (77,830)
Shared-based compensation expenses —  2,498  60,110  9,175 
Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses (112,761) (426,837) (449,814) (68,655)
         
Loss from operations (234,163) (78,938) (407,691) (62,226)
Shared-based compensation expenses —  7,862  182,928  27,921 
Non-GAAP loss from operations (234,163) (71,076)  (224,763)  (34,305)
         
Net (loss)/income (77,113) 107,547  (359,967) (54,943)
Shared-based compensation expenses —  7,862  182,928  27,921 
Changes in fair value of warrants and derivative liabilities (176,283) —  —  — 
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income (253,396) 115,409  (177,039) (27,022)
         
Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders (233,732) 107,547  (359,967) (54,943)
Shared-based compensation expenses —  7,862  182,928  27,921 
Changes in fair value of warrants and derivative liabilities (176,283) —  —  — 
Accretion on convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value 266,365  —  —  — 
Effect of exchange rate changes on convertible redeemable preferred shares (109,746) —  —  — 
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders (253,396) 115,409  (177,039) (27,022)
         
Weighted average number of ADSs (Non-GAAP)        
Basic 127,500,000  863,519,155  904,696,628  904,696,628 
Diluted 127,500,000  891,416,573  904,696,628  904,696,628 
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders7        
Basic (1.99) 0.13  (0.20) (0.03)
Diluted (1.99) 0.13  (0.20) (0.03)


1 All translations from Renminbi(“RMB”) to U.S. dollar(“US$”) are made at a rate of RMB 6.5518 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2021 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.

2 Vehicle margin is the margin of vehicle sales, which is calculated based on revenues and cost of sales derived from vehicle sales only.

3 The Company’s Non-GAAP financial measures exclude share-based compensation expenses, changes in fair value of warrants and derivative liabilities, accretion on convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value, and the effect of exchange rate changes on convertible redeemable preferred shares. See “Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.

4 Free cash flow represents operating cash flow less capital expenditures.

5 Except for vehicle margin and gross margin, where absolute changes instead of percentage changes are presented.

6  Each ADS represents two Class A ordinary shares.

7 Non-GAAP basic net (loss)/income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders is calculated by dividing Non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the periods. Non-GAAP diluted net (loss)/income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders is calculated by dividing Non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding during the periods, including the dilutive effect of convertible redeemable preferred shares as determined under the if-converted method and share-based awards as determined under the treasury stock method.