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China’s Li Auto targets BMW and Mercedes with premium SUVs in Middle East, Asia-Pacific

Li Auto, one of Tesla’s major rivals in mainland China, has set its sights on the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, with its premium intelligent models…

By Samantha Johnson / April 26, 2026
Li Auto, one of Tesla’s major rivals in mainland China, has set its sights on the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, with its premium intelligent models poised to take on petrol car brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The Beijing-based electric vehicle (EV) maker, which is actively building a sales network abroad, expected overseas deliveries to account for 30 per cent of its total by 2030, according to president Ma Donghui.

“It is inevitable that we will compete against BMW, Benz and Audi, which are viewed as luxury marques worldwide,” he told the South China Morning Post in an interview on Saturday. “Our vehicles have outperformed theirs in terms of performance and user experience, but it takes time to establish brand awareness because overseas consumers haven’t experienced our cars and haven’t yet been convinced of our superiority.”

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Ma’s remarks came after Li Auto, known for its large SUVs that use extended-range battery technology, announced plans to expand into Asia-Pacific markets in May, forming partnerships with distributors in Cambodia, Laos and Macau.
Li Auto president Ma Donghui. Photo: Handout
Li Auto president Ma Donghui. Photo: Handout

On Saturday, the company signed distribution agreements with Al Fahim Motors in the United Arab Emirates and with Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors in Saudi Arabia as it seeks to make inroads in the Middle East.

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