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Li Auto Inc. (LI) Reports Q3, Delivered 105,108 EVs

November 9, 2023 5:53 AM

Li Auto Inc. (Nasdaq: LI), a leader in China’s new energy vehicle market, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Operating Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2023

Deliveries 2023 Q3 2023 Q2 2023 Q1 2022 Q4
105,108 86,533 52,584 46,319
Deliveries 2022 Q3 2022 Q2 2022 Q1 2021 Q4
26,524 28,687 31,716 35,221

Financial Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2023

Key Financial Results

(in millions, except for percentages)

For the Three Months Ended% Change5
September 30,2022 June 30,2023 September 30,2023 YoY QoQ
RMB RMB RMB
Vehicle sales9,045.9 27,971.9 33,616.1 271.6% 20.2%
Vehicle margin12.0% 21.0% 21.2% 9.2% 0.2%
Total revenues9,342.3 28,652.7 34,679.5 271.2% 21.0%
Gross profit1,182.0 6,235.3 7,644.5 546.7% 22.6%
Gross margin12.7% 21.8% 22.0% 9.3% 0.2%
(Loss)/income from operations(2,129.7) 1,625.9 2,339.4 N/A 43.9%
Non-GAAP (loss)/income from operations(1,724.4) 2,043.3 2,993.8 N/A 46.5%
Net (loss)/income(1,645.7) 2,310.1 2,812.9 N/A 21.8%
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income(1,240.4) 2,727.5 3,467.3 N/A 27.1%
Operating cash flow(508.3) 11,112.4 14,506.5 N/A 30.5%
Free cash flow (non-GAAP)(1,958.6) 9,621.4 13,224.8 N/A 37.5%

Recent Developments

Delivery Update

Safety Evaluation Results

ESG Performance

Termination of At-The-Market Offering

CEO and CFO Comments

Mr. Xiang Li, chairman and chief executive officer of Li Auto, commented, “In response to the evolving market demand in the third quarter, we continued to strengthen synergies across production, supply, and sales, while enhancing our production capability. With these efforts, we achieved a number of breakthroughs across our delivery performance during the quarter, becoming China’s first emerging new energy automaker to reach the milestone of 500,000 cumulative deliveries. Each of our three Li L series models recorded over 10,000 monthly deliveries for three consecutive months since August, maintaining our position as the sales champion among SUVs and NEVs priced over RMB300,000 in China. As we further expand our business scale, we will continue to maintain our profitability at a healthy level, while investing in research and development to propel the long-term growth of our business.”

“Our super flagship 5C BEV model, Li MEGA, is steadily progressing towards its targeted launch in December 2023, with deliveries to commence in February 2024. We believe that the launch of Li MEGA, equipped with an 800-volt platform and 5C-rate charging capability, will usher in a new era of success for Li Auto in the BEV market and, together with EREV technology, will accelerate the large-scale transition from traditional ICE vehicles. At the same time, to better align with our BEV strategy, we are accelerating our super charging network expansion to provide users with more accessible and reliable energy replenishment experiences.”

Mr. Tie Li, chief financial officer of Li Auto, added, “We are pleased to have sustained our growth momentum in both our topline and bottom line in the third quarter. Driven by record-high vehicle deliveries, our third quarter revenues surged to RMB34.68 billion, up 271.2% year over year. As we continued to optimize operating efficiency and implement disciplined cost management, our gross margin remained healthy at 22.0%, while net income rose to RMB2.81 billion and free cash flow reached RMB13.22 billion, boosting our cash position to RMB88.52 billion, each representing a new quarterly high. Looking forward, our growing profitability and ample cash position will further support our unwavering investment in research and development, and enhance our sustainable, long-term competitiveness.”

Financial Results for the Third 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 fourth quarter of 2023, the Company expects:

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

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call at 7:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 9, 2023 (8:00 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on November 9, 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/10034368-573os2.html

A replay of the conference call will be accessible through November 16, 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:10034368

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, non-GAAP basic and diluted net earnings/loss per share 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.

Exchange Rate Information

This press release contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi are made at a rate of RMB7.2960 to US$1.00, the exchange rate on September 29, 2023, set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the Renminbi or U.S. dollars amounts referred could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

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 current model lineup includes Li L9, a six-seat flagship family SUV, Li L8, a six-seat premium family SUV, 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,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “likely to,” “challenges,” 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]

Piacente Financial CommunicationsBrandi PiacenteTel: +1-212-481-2050 +86-10-6508-0677Email: [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
September 30, 2022 June 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023
RMB RMB RMB US$
Revenues:
Vehicle sales 9,045,883 27,971,944 33,616,140 4,607,475
Other sales and services 296,402 680,783 1,063,315 145,739
Total revenues 9,342,285 28,652,727 34,679,455 4,753,214
Cost of sales:
Vehicle sales (7,962,903) (22,084,087) (26,491,089) (3,630,906)
Other sales and services (197,412) (333,362) (543,882) (74,545)
Total cost of sales (8,160,315) (22,417,449) (27,034,971) (3,705,451)
Gross profit 1,181,970 6,235,278 7,644,484 1,047,763
Operating expense:
Research and development (1,804,335) (2,425,600) (2,817,206) (386,130)
Selling, general and administrative (1,507,362) (2,309,210) (2,543,770) (348,653)
Other operating income, net — 125,402 55,870 7,658
Total operating expenses (3,311,697) (4,609,408) (5,305,106) (727,125)
(Loss)/Income from operations (2,129,727) 1,625,870 2,339,378 320,638
Other (expense)/income:
Interest expense (36,637) (28,440) (11,698) (1,603)
Interest income and investment income, net 307,921 430,262 439,800 60,280
Others, net 156,529 324,291 183,585 25,162
(Loss)/Income before income tax (1,701,914) 2,351,983 2,951,065 404,477
Income tax benefit/(expense) 56,176 (41,885) (138,191) (18,941)
Net (loss)/income (1,645,738) 2,310,098 2,812,874 385,536
Less: Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests (5,417) 16,945 (10,357) (1,420)
Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of Li Auto Inc. (1,640,321) 2,293,153 2,823,231 386,956
Net (loss)/income (1,645,738) 2,310,098 2,812,874 385,536
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax 312,572 (120,809) 21,998 3,015
Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 312,572 (120,809) 21,998 3,015
Total comprehensive (loss)/income (1,333,166) 2,189,289 2,834,872 388,551
Less: Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests (5,417) 16,945 (10,357) (1,420)
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of Li Auto Inc. (1,327,749) 2,172,344 2,845,229 389,971
Weighted average number of ADSs
Basic 975,026,517 980,693,361 985,819,450 985,819,450
Diluted 975,026,517 1,053,852,487 1,059,821,062 1,059,821,062
Net (loss)/earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders
Basic (1.68) 2.34 2.86 0.39
Diluted (1.68) 2.18 2.67 0.37
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
Basic 1,950,053,033 1,961,386,723 1,971,638,899 1,971,638,899
Diluted 1,950,053,033 2,107,704,975 2,119,642,125 2,119,642,125
Net (loss)/earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders
Basic (0.84) 1.17 1.43 0.20
Diluted (0.84) 1.09 1.34 0.18

Li Auto Inc.Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(All amounts in thousands)
As of
December 31, 2022 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023
RMB RMB US$
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 38,478,016 72,992,984 10,004,521
Restricted cash 1,940,142 696,226 95,426
Time deposits and short-term investments 18,031,395 14,428,431 1,977,581
Trade receivable 48,381 86,764 11,892
Inventories 6,804,693 6,026,648 826,021
Prepayments and other current assets 1,689,860 3,503,577 480,205
Total current assets 66,992,487 97,734,630 13,395,646
Non-current assets:
Long-term investments 1,484,491 1,140,764 156,355
Property, plant and equipment, net 11,187,898 13,667,625 1,873,304
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 3,538,911 4,421,974 606,082
Intangible assets, net 832,620 841,512 115,339
Goodwill 5,484 5,484 752
Deferred tax assets 74,767 — —
Other non-current assets 2,421,293 2,323,638 318,481
Total non-current assets 19,545,464 22,400,997 3,070,313
Total assets 86,537,951 120,135,627 16,465,959
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short‑term borrowings 390,750 6,309,495 864,788
Trade and notes payable 20,024,329 40,561,033 5,559,352
Amounts due to related parties 7,190 9,354 1,282
Deferred revenue, current 569,234 1,245,519 170,713
Operating lease liabilities, current 696,454 958,694 131,400
Accruals and other current liabilities 5,684,644 8,663,890 1,187,486
Total current liabilities 27,372,601 57,747,985 7,915,021
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term borrowings 9,230,807 1,594,120 218,492
Deferred revenue, non-current 581,598 747,201 102,412
Operating lease liabilities, non-current 1,946,367 2,594,798 355,647
Deferred tax liabilities 77,809 42,082 5,768
Other non-current liabilities 2,142,462 3,459,513 474,166
Total non-current liabilities 13,979,043 8,437,714 1,156,485
Total liabilities 41,351,644 66,185,699 9,071,506
Total Li Auto Inc. shareholders’ equity 44,858,701 53,611,565 7,348,076
Noncontrolling interests 327,606 338,363 46,377
Total shareholders’ equity 45,186,307 53,949,928 7,394,453
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 86,537,951 120,135,627 16,465,959

Li Auto Inc.Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(All amounts in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,2022 June 30,2023 September 30,2023 September 30,2023
RMB RMB RMB US$
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities (508,260) 11,112,395 14,506,532 1,988,284
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities 119,880 7,573,941 (4,424,152) (606,380)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 3,458,522 (1,853,582) 1,371,433 187,971
Effect of exchange rate changes 404,582 138,186 (20,252) (2,775)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 3,474,724 16,970,940 11,433,561 1,567,100
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 37,095,020 45,284,709 62,255,649 8,532,847
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 40,569,744 62,255,649 73,689,210 10,099,947
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities (508,260) 11,112,395 14,506,532 1,988,284
Capital expenditures (1,450,310) (1,491,029) (1,281,759) (175,680)
Free cash flow (non-GAAP) (1,958,570) 9,621,366 13,224,773 1,812,604

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
September 30,2022 June 30,2023 September 30,2023 September 30,2023
RMB RMB RMB US$
Cost of sales (8,160,315) (22,417,449) (27,034,971) (3,705,451)
Share-based compensation expenses 8,235 9,449 10,662 1,461
Non-GAAP cost of sales (8,152,080) (22,408,000) (27,024,309) (3,703,990)
Research and development expenses (1,804,335) (2,425,600) (2,817,206) (386,130)
Share-based compensation expenses 231,207 247,064 431,294 59,114
Non-GAAP research and development expenses (1,573,128) (2,178,536) (2,385,912) (327,016)
Selling, general and administrative expenses (1,507,362) (2,309,210) (2,543,770) (348,653)
Share-based compensation expenses 165,863 160,928 212,443 29,118
Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses (1,341,499) (2,148,282) (2,331,327) (319,535)
(Loss)/Income from operations (2,129,727) 1,625,870 2,339,378 320,638
Share-based compensation expenses 405,305 417,441 654,399 89,693
Non-GAAP (loss)/income from operations (1,724,422) 2,043,311 2,993,777 410,331
Net (loss)/income (1,645,738) 2,310,098 2,812,874 385,536
Share-based compensation expenses 405,305 417,441 654,399 89,693
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income (1,240,433) 2,727,539 3,467,273 475,229
Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of Li Auto Inc. (1,640,321) 2,293,153 2,823,231 386,956
Share-based compensation expenses 405,305 417,441 654,399 89,693
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of Li Auto Inc. (1,235,016) 2,710,594 3,477,630 476,649
Weighted average number of ADSs
Basic 975,026,517 980,693,361 985,819,450 985,819,450
Diluted 975,026,517 1,053,852,487 1,059,821,062 1,059,821,062
Non-GAAP net (loss)/earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders
Basic (1.27) 2.76 3.53 0.48
Diluted (1.27) 2.58 3.29 0.45
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
Basic 1,950,053,033 1,961,386,723 1,971,638,899 1,971,638,899
Diluted 1,950,053,033 2,107,704,975 2,119,642,125 2,119,642,125
Non-GAAP net (loss)/earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders8
Basic (0.63) 1.38 1.76 0.24
Diluted (0.63) 1.29 1.64 0.23

__________________________________________

1 All translations from Renminbi (“RMB”) to U.S. dollars (“US$”) are made at a rate of RMB7.2960 to US$1.00, the exchange rate on September 29, 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 Cash position includes cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, time deposits and short-term investments, and long-term time deposits included in long-term investments.

8 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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