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Li Auto Inc. Announces Unaudited First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

May 10, 2023 5:00 AM

Quarterly total revenues reached RMB18.79 billion (US$2.74 billion)1 Quarterly deliveries reached 52,584 vehicles

BEIJING, China, May 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Li Auto Inc. (“Li Auto” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LI; HKEX: 2015), a leader in China’s new energy vehicle market, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Operating Highlights for the First Quarter of 2023

Deliveries 2023 Q1 2022 Q4 2022 Q3 2022 Q2
52,584 46,319 26,524 28,687
Deliveries 2022 Q1 2021 Q4 2021 Q3 2021 Q2
31,716 35,221 25,116 17,575

Financial Highlights for the First Quarter of 2023

Key Financial Results

(in millions, except for percentages)

For the Three Months Ended % Change5
March 31, 2022 December 31, 2022 March 31, 2023 YoY QoQ
RMB RMB RMB
Vehicle sales9,308.6 17,268.3 18,327.3 96.9% 6.1%
Vehicle margin22.4% 20.0% 19.8% (2.6)% (0.2)%
Total revenues9,562.0 17,649.9 18,787.1 96.5% 6.4%
Gross profit2,163.9 3,566.3 3,830.1 77.0% 7.4%
Gross margin22.6% 20.2% 20.4% (2.2)% 0.2%
(Loss)/income from operations(413.1) (133.6) 405.2 N/A N/A
Non-GAAP income from operations74.9 568.7 885.4 N/A 55.7%
Net (loss)/income(10.9) 265.3 933.8 N/A 252.0%
Non-GAAP net income477.1 967.6 1,414.1 196.4% 46.1%
Operating cash flow1,833.8 4,925.4 7,780.4 324.3% 58.0%
Free cash flow (non-GAAP)502.0 3,257.3 6,702.1 N/A 105.8%

Recent Developments

Delivery Update

Autonomous Driving and BEV Roadmap

Safety Evaluation Results

2022 Environmental, Social and Governance Report

At-The-Market Offering

CEO and CFO Comments

Mr. Xiang Li, chairman and chief executive officer of Li Auto, commented, “Facing an NEV landscape with intensified competition, we claimed the third place in terms of sales among NEV brands priced over RMB200,000 in China in the first quarter of 2023. This was made possible by the continued user endorsement of our Li L9 and Li L8, and the strong order intake and quick ramp-up of our Li L7, demonstrating once again our ability to design and build blockbuster models, as well as the strength and collaborative efficacy of our supply chain, manufacturing, and sales and servicing network.”

“The autonomous driving and BEV roadmap that we announced on April 18 marked the 3.0 era of autonomous driving for our Company epitomized by city NOA and a new chapter in our paralleled development of EREVs and HPC BEVs. We believe that electrification and autonomy will drive continuous business expansion and greater economies of scale, which, combined with our ever-strengthening operational capability, will enable us to generate profits while creating additional value for users. Our healthy profitability and cash flow, in turn, will allow continued capital deployment to fund research and development and enhance our business capabilities, fueling our flywheel for comprehensive development.”

Mr. Tie Li, chief financial officer of Li Auto, added, “We are pleased to report a strong first quarter marked by high growth and increased profitability. The record-breaking vehicle deliveries drove a 96.5% year-over-year increase in our first quarter revenues to RMB18.79 billion. In addition, thanks to our product strength, and outstanding operating efficiency, we achieved a healthy gross margin of 20.4% and positive results, at record highs, in both our adjusted operating margin and free cash flow in the first quarter. Our strong cashflow and healthy balance sheet have well positioned us to continue investing in our future, empowering research and development across products, platforms, and systems as well as business expansion to create value for both our users and our shareholders.”

Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2023

Revenues

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

Operating Expenses

Income/(Loss) from Operations

Net Income/(Loss) and Net Earnings/(Loss) Per Share

Cash Position, Operating Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow

Business Outlook

For the second quarter of 2023, 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 10, 2023 (8:00 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on May 10, 2023) 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 prior to the scheduled call start time. Upon registration, participants will receive the conference call access information, including dial-in numbers, passcode, and a unique access PIN. To join the conference, please dial the number provided, enter the passcode followed by your PIN, and you will join the conference instantly.

Participant Online Registration: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10030396-a6jw52.html

A replay of the conference call will be accessible through May 17, 2023, by dialing the following numbers:

United States:+1-855-883-1031
Mainland China:+86-400-1209-216
Hong Kong, China:+852-800-930-639
International:+61-7-3107-6325
Replay PIN:10030396

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 financial measures, such as non-GAAP cost of sales, non-GAAP research and development expenses, non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP income/loss from operations, non-GAAP net income/loss, non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to ordinary shareholders, non-GAAP basic and diluted net earnings/loss 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, 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 a leader in China’s new energy vehicle market. The Company designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium smart electric vehicles. Its mission is: Create a Mobile Home, Create Happiness (创造移动的家, 创造幸福的家). Through innovations in product, technology, and business model, the Company provides families with safe, convenient, and comfortable products and services. Li Auto is a pioneer to successfully commercialize extended-range electric vehicles in China. The Company started volume production in November 2019. Its model lineup includes Li L9, a six-seat flagship family SUV, Li L8 and Li ONE, both of which are six-seat premium family SUVs, and Li L7, a five-seat flagship family SUV. 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 while expanding its product line by developing new BEVs and EREVs to target a broader user 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,” “strives,” “endeavors,” “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”) and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “HKEX”), 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 and the HKEX. 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 RelationsEmail: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.Yang SongTel: +86-10-6508-0677Email: [email protected]

Brandi PiacenteTel: +1-212-481-2050Email: [email protected]

Li Auto Inc.Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss)/Income
(All amounts in thousands, except for ADS/ordinary share and per ADS/ordinary share data)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2022 December 31, 2022 March 31, 2023 March 31, 2023
RMB RMB RMB US$
Revenues:
Vehicle sales 9,308,609 17,268,330 18,327,316 2,668,664
Other sales and services 253,427 381,544 459,737 66,943
Total revenues 9,562,036 17,649,874 18,787,053 2,735,607
Cost of sales:
Vehicle sales (7,219,912) (13,818,255) (14,705,143) (2,141,235)
Other sales and services (178,269) (265,288) (251,804) (36,666)
Total cost of sales (7,398,181) (14,083,543) (14,956,947) (2,177,901)
Gross profit 2,163,855 3,566,331 3,830,106 557,706
Operating expense:
Research and development (1,373,962) (2,070,091) (1,852,297) (269,715)
Selling, general and administrative (1,202,967) (1,629,859) (1,645,307) (239,575)
Other operating income, net 72,701 10,586
Total operating expenses (2,576,929) (3,699,950) (3,424,903) (498,704)
(Loss)/Income from operations (413,074) (133,619) 405,203 59,002
Other (expense)/income:
Interest expense (10,138) (38,393) (32,438) (4,723)
Interest income and investment income, net 162,874 255,772 418,531 60,943
Others, net 279,703 84,706 181,488 26,427
Income before income tax expense 19,365 168,466 972,784 141,649
Income tax (expense)/benefit (30,231) 96,836 (38,947) (5,671)
Net (loss)/income (10,866) 265,302 933,837 135,978
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 8,364 4,169 607
Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of Li Auto Inc. (10,866) 256,938 929,668 135,371
Net (loss)/income (10,866) 265,302 933,837 135,978
Other comprehensive (loss)/income
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax (85,116) 42,097 27,607 4,020
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income (85,116) 42,097 27,607 4,020
Total comprehensive (loss)/income (95,982) 307,399 961,444 139,998
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 8,364 4,169 607
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of Li Auto Inc. (95,982) 299,035 957,275 139,391
Weighted average number of ADSs
Basic 964,870,446 976,970,967 979,166,653 979,166,653
Diluted 964,870,446 1,045,583,572 1,052,402,047 1,052,402,047
Net (loss)/earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders
Basic (0.01) 0.26 0.95 0.14
Diluted (0.01) 0.25 0.89 0.13
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
Basic 1,929,740,892 1,953,941,934 1,958,333,306 1,958,333,306
Diluted 1,929,740,892 2,091,167,144 2,104,804,095 2,104,804,095
Net (loss)/earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders
Basic (0.01) 0.13 0.47 0.07
Diluted (0.01) 0.13 0.45 0.06

Li Auto Inc.Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(All amounts in thousands)
As of
December 31, 2022 March 31, 2023 March 31, 2023
RMB RMB US$
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 38,478,016 43,624,822 6,352,266
Restricted cash 1,940,142 1,659,887 241,698
Time deposits and short-term investments 18,031,395 19,712,197 2,870,318
Trade receivable 48,381 54,033 7,868
Inventories 6,804,693 6,262,437 911,881
Prepayments and other current assets 1,689,860 1,753,640 255,350
Total current assets 66,992,487 73,067,016 10,639,381
Non-current assets:
Long-term investments 1,484,491 1,478,869 215,340
Property, plant and equipment, net 11,187,898 12,785,988 1,861,784
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 3,538,911 3,618,909 526,954
Intangible assets, net 832,620 840,674 122,412
Goodwill 5,484 5,484 799
Deferred tax assets 74,767 19,704 2,869
Other non-current assets 2,421,293 2,195,788 319,731
Total non-current assets 19,545,464 20,945,416 3,049,889
Total assets 86,537,951 94,012,432 13,689,270
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short‑term borrowings 390,750 827,868 120,547
Trade and notes payable 20,024,329 25,329,361 3,688,241
Amounts due to related parties 7,190 7,846 1,142
Deferred revenue, current 569,234 555,910 80,947
Operating lease liabilities, current 696,454 753,950 109,784
Accruals and other current liabilities 5,684,644 6,283,057 914,885
Total current liabilities 27,372,601 33,757,992 4,915,546
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term borrowings 9,230,807 8,516,026 1,240,029
Deferred revenue, non-current 581,598 583,025 84,895
Operating lease liabilities, non-current 1,946,367 1,987,594 289,416
Deferred tax liabilities 77,809 61,673 8,980
Other non-current liabilities 2,142,462 2,474,482 360,312
Total non-current liabilities 13,979,043 13,622,800 1,983,632
Total liabilities 41,351,644 47,380,792 6,899,178
Total Li Auto Inc. shareholders’ equity 44,858,701 46,299,865 6,741,782
Noncontrolling interests 327,606 331,775 48,310
Total shareholders’ equity 45,186,307 46,631,640 6,790,092
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 86,537,951 94,012,432 13,689,270

Li Auto Inc.Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(All amounts in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,2022 December 31,2022 March 31,2023 March 31,2023
RMB RMB RMB US$
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,833,769 4,925,350 7,780,366 1,132,909
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities 1,564,251 (5,308,274) (2,692,753) (392,095)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 902,991 251,024 (195,821) (28,514)
Effect of exchange rate changes (77,503) (19,686) (25,241) (3,676)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 4,223,508 (151,586) 4,866,551   708,624
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 30,493,064 40,569,744 40,418,158 5,885,340
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 34,716,572 40,418,158 45,284,709   6,593,964
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,833,769 4,925,350 7,780,366   1,132,909
Capital expenditures (1,331,814) (1,668,021) (1,078,295) (157,012)
Free cash flow (non-GAAP) 501,955 3,257,329 6,702,071   975,897

Li Auto Inc.Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results
(All amounts in thousands, except for ADS/ordinary share and per ADS/ordinary share data)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,2022 December 31,2022 March 31,2023 March 31,2023
RMB RMB RMB US$
Cost of sales (7,398,181) (14,083,543) (14,956,947) (2,177,901)
Share-based compensation expenses 10,665 16,644 11,186 1,629
Non-GAAP cost of sales (7,387,516) (14,066,899) (14,945,761) (2,176,272)
Research and development expenses (1,373,962) (2,070,091) (1,852,297) (269,715)
Share-based compensation expenses 324,532 476,522 336,220 48,957
Non-GAAP research and development expenses (1,049,430) (1,593,569) (1,516,077) (220,758)
Selling, general and administrative expenses (1,202,967) (1,629,859) (1,645,307) (239,575)
Share-based compensation expenses 152,754 209,135 132,823 19,341
Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses (1,050,213) (1,420,724) (1,512,484) (220,234)
(Loss)/Income from operations (413,074) (133,619) 405,203 59,002
Share-based compensation expenses 487,951 702,301 480,229 69,927
Non-GAAP income from operations 74,877 568,682 885,432 128,929
Net (loss)/income (10,866) 265,302 933,837 135,978
Share-based compensation expenses 487,951 702,301 480,229 69,927
Non-GAAP net income 477,085 967,603 1,414,066 205,905
Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of Li Auto Inc. (10,866) 256,938 929,668 135,371
Share-based compensation expenses 487,951 702,301 480,229 69,927
Non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of Li Auto Inc. 477,085 959,239 1,409,897 205,298
Weighted average number of ADSs (non-GAAP)
Basic 964,870,446 976,970,967 979,166,653 979,166,653
Diluted 1,035,309,021 1,045,583,572 1,052,402,047 1,052,402,047
Non-GAAP net earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders
Basic 0.49 0.98 1.44 0.21
Diluted 0.47 0.93 1.35 0.20
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (non-GAAP)
Basic 1,929,740,892 1,953,941,934 1,958,333,306 1,958,333,306
Diluted 2,070,618,042 2,091,167,144 2,104,804,095 2,104,804,095
Non-GAAP net earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders7
Basic 0.25 0.49 0.72 0.10
Diluted 0.23 0.46 0.67 0.10

1 All translations from Renminbi (“RMB”) to U.S. dollar (“US$”) are made at a rate of RMB6.8676 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2023 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. 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, which is considered a non-GAAP financial measure.

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 earnings/loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the periods. Non-GAAP diluted net earnings/loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares, dilutive potential ordinary shares outstanding during the periods, including the dilutive effects of convertible senior notes as determined under the if-converted method and the dilutive effect of share-based awards as determined under the treasury stock method.

Source: Li Auto Inc.

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