Li Auto Inc has established new distribution partnerships in the Middle East, as the Chinese battery electric vehicle (BEV) manufacturer steps up its global expansion.
The US Nasdaq-listed automaker has signed a distribution agreement with Al Fahim Motors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where it plans to launch its extended-range L-series passenger vehicles this year. The company has also entered into a partnership with Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors in Saudi Arabia, where it also plans to launch its L-series models.
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Li Auto’s head of international operations, Wu Zuomin, said in a statement: “The UAE and Saudi Arabia are key markets for innovation and growth in the Middle East. Our L-series models are well suited to local demand, combining long driving range with intelligent features.”
The automaker has until now mainly focused on the Chinese market, with its overseas presence so far covering a small number of markets, such as Egypt and markets in Central Asia. The company plans to expand its presence in South-East Asia this year, starting in some of the smaller markets such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines.
The company also confirmed that it is preparing to expand its sales operations into South-east Asia’s larger automotive markets later this year, as well as in Europe.
Li Auto delivered 406,000 vehicles in 2025, a 19% decline compared with the previous year, falling far short of its stated sales target of 640,000 units, as competition in the country’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market continued to rise.
