Our Holding Company Structure and Contractual Arrangements with the VIEs and Their Shareholders
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our principal subsidiaries and the VIEs, as of the date of this annual report.
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Li Auto Inc. is not a Chinese operating company but a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in the VIEs and their subsidiaries. We conduct our operations in China through (i) our PRC subsidiaries and (ii) the VIEs, with which we have maintained contractual arrangements, and their subsidiaries. PRC laws and regulations restrict and impose conditions on foreign investment in value-added telecommunication services and certain other businesses. Accordingly, we operate these businesses in China through the VIEs and their subsidiaries, and rely on contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, and their nominee shareholders to direct the business operations of the VIEs. Such structure enables investors to share economic interests in China-based companies in sectors where foreign direct investment is prohibited or restricted under PRC laws and regulations. Revenues contributed by the VIEs accounted for less than 0.1% of our total revenues in 2023, 2024 and 2025. As used in this annual report, “Li Auto,” “we,” or “our company” refers to Li Auto Inc., its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing the operations conducted through our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs and consolidated financial information, the VIEs in China, including but not limited to Beijing CHJ and Xindian Information. Investors in the ADSs are not purchasing equity interest in the VIEs in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and may never directly hold equity interests in the VIEs in China.
A series of contractual agreements, including powers of attorney, business operation agreement, equity pledge agreements, exclusive consultation and service agreements, and equity option agreements, have been entered into by and among our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, and their nominee shareholders. Terms contained in each set of these contractual arrangements are substantially similar. As a result of the contractual arrangements, we (i) have the power to direct activities of the VIEs that most significantly affect their economic performance and (ii) receive economic benefits from the VIEs that could be significant to them. Accordingly, Li Auto Inc. is considered the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and their subsidiaries and has consolidated the financial information of these companies in its consolidated financial statements under the U.S. GAAP for accounting purposes. Neither Li Auto Inc. nor its investors have an equity ownership (including foreign direct investment) in, or control through such equity ownership of, the VIEs, and the contractual arrangements are not equivalent to an equity ownership in the business of the VIEs. For more details of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with the VIEs and Their Shareholders.”
However, the contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over the VIEs and their subsidiaries; the nominee shareholders of the VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us; and we may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the arrangements. As such, the VIE structure involves unique risks to investors of our Cayman Islands holding company. In addition, the legality and enforceability of the contractual agreements between our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, and their nominee shareholders, as a whole, have not been tested in a court of law in China. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—We rely on contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their respective shareholders to maintain a controlling financial interest in the VIEs, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—The registered shareholders of the VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.”
There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations, and rules regarding the status of the rights of our Cayman Islands holding company with respect to its contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their nominee shareholders. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or, if adopted, what they would provide. If we or any of the VIEs is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required licenses, permits, registrations, or approvals, the PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures in accordance with applicable laws. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with the VIEs do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations,” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—The interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and its implementation rules are evolving, and we cannot fully ascertain how they may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, and operations.”
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Our corporate structure is subject to risks associated with our contractual arrangements with the VIEs. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with the VIEs do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Our holding company, our PRC subsidiaries, and the VIEs and their subsidiaries, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of the VIEs and our company as a whole. The PRC regulatory authorities could disallow the VIE structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For a detailed description of the risks associated with our corporate structure, please refer to risks disclosed under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure.”
We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in China. Our business operations are primarily conducted in China, and we are subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government has issued statements and carried out regulatory actions relating to areas such as the use of contractual arrangements in certain industries, regulatory approvals on offshore offerings and listings by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy. We cannot assure you that we will be able to complete filing or obtain any specific regulatory approvals from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, or any other PRC government authorities for our overseas offerings and listings, as applicable. In addition, if future regulatory updates mandate clearance of cybersecurity review or other specific actions to be completed by China-based companies listed on foreign stock exchanges, such as us, we face uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all. Therefore, we face risks and uncertainties associated with these statements and regulatory actions, which may impact our ability to conduct certain businesses, accept foreign investments, or list and conduct offerings on a United States or another foreign exchange. These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of the ADSs, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline. For a detailed description of risks relating to doing business in China, see “Item 3. Key Information—D.Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China.”
The PRC government’s significant authority in regulating our industry and operations and its oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Implementation of industry-wide regulations in this nature may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—The PRC government’s oversight and discretion over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs.”
The progressive development of the legal system in China, including such regarding the enforcement and sometimes quick changes of PRC rules and regulations, could result in uncertainties that adversely affect our operations and the value of our Class A ordinary shares and the ADSs. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—The PRC legal system is developing, which could lead to uncertainties that adversely affect us.”
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act
Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspections by the PCAOB for two consecutive years, the SEC will prohibit our shares or the ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report to notify the SEC of its determination that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong, including our auditor. In May 2022, the SEC conclusively listed us as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA following the filing of our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB issued a report that vacated its December 16, 2021 determination and removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. For this reason, we were not identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA after we filed our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and do not expect to be so identified after we file this annual report on Form 20-F.
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Each year, the PCAOB will determine whether it can inspect and investigate completely registered public accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, among other jurisdictions. If the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely registered public accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong and we continue to use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the SEC, we would be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer following the filing of the annual report on Form 20-F for the relevant fiscal year. There can be no assurance that we would not be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for any future fiscal year, and if we were so identified for two consecutive years, we would become subject to the prohibition on trading under the HFCAA. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry—The PCAOB had historically been unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of our auditor in the past had deprived our investors with the benefits of such inspections” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry—Our ADSs may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in mainland China and Hong Kong. The delisting of the ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.”
Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities for Our Operations
We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries and the VIEs in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this annual report, our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs and their subsidiaries have obtained the requisite licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities that are material for the business operations of our subsidiaries and the VIEs and their subsidiaries in China, including, among others, a Survey and Mapping Qualification Certificate, a Value-Added Telecommunication Business Operating License for Internet Information Service, or ICP License, an Operating License for the Production and Dissemination of Radio and Television Programs, and the Radio Transmission Equipment Type Approval Certificates. Given the evolving interpretation and implementation of relevant laws and regulations and the evolving enforcement practices of the government authorities, we may be required to obtain additional licenses, permits, filings, or approvals for our business operations in the future. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry—We may be adversely affected by the complexity and changes in PRC regulations on automotive and internet-related businesses and companies.”
As of the date of this annual report, in connection with our past issuances of securities to foreign investors, under current PRC laws, regulations, and rules, we, our PRC subsidiaries, and the VIEs (i) are not required to obtain permissions from with the CSRC, (ii) are not required to go through cybersecurity review by the CAC, and (iii) have not received or were not denied such requisite permissions by any PRC authority.
However, the PRC government has promulgated certain regulations and rules to strengthened oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers. In connection with any future capital markets activities overseas, we may need to file with the CSRC, undergo a cybersecurity review conducted by the CAC, or meet other regulatory requirements that may be adopted in the future by PRC regulatory authorities. To the extent such requirements are or become applicable to us, we cannot assure you that we would be able to comply with them in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining the required approval or completing the required procedures could subject us to restrictions and penalties imposed by the CSRC, the CAC, or other PRC regulatory authorities, which could include fines and penalties on our operations in China, delays of or restrictions on the repatriation of the proceeds from our overseas offerings into China, or other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—The PRC government’s oversight and discretion over our business operations could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.”
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Cash and Asset Flows Through Our Organization
Li Auto Inc. is a Cayman Islands holding company with no operations of its own. We conduct our operations in China primarily through our subsidiaries and the VIEs and their subsidiaries in China. As a result, although other means are available for us to obtain financing at the holding company level, Li Auto Inc.’s ability to pay dividends to the shareholders and to service any debt it may incur may depend upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries and license and service fees paid by the VIEs and their subsidiaries. If any of our subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to Li Auto Inc. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends to Li Auto Inc. only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Furthermore, our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs and their subsidiaries are required to make appropriations to certain statutory reserve funds or may make appropriations to certain discretionary funds, which are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of a solvent liquidation of the companies. For more details, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Holding Company Structure.”
Uncertainties regarding the interpretation and implementation of the contractual arrangements with the VIEs could limit our ability to enforce such agreements. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements constituting part of the VIE structure do not comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if current laws and regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, our ability to settle amount owed by the VIEs under the VIE agreements may be seriously hindered.
Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs and their subsidiaries are subject to certain restrictions with respect to payment of dividends or otherwise transfers of any of their net assets to us. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned enterprise out of China is also subject to examination by the banks designated by the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. These restrictions are benchmarked against the paid-in capital, additional paid-in capital, and the statutory reserve funds of our PRC subsidiaries and the net assets of the VIEs in which we have no legal ownership. As of December 31, 2024 and 2025, the total amount of such restriction to which our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs and their subsidiaries are subject was RMB20.1 billion, and RMB21.2 billion, respectively. For risks relating to the fund flows of our operations in China, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements that we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.”
Under PRC laws, Li Auto Inc. may fund our PRC subsidiaries only through capital contributions or loans and fund the VIEs or their subsidiaries only through loans, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements. As of December 31, 2024 and 2025, the outstanding balance of the principal amount of loans by Li Auto Inc. to our intermediate holding companies, subsidiaries and the VIEs was RMB49.4 billion, and RMB49.4 billion, respectively.
Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries, including Beijing Co Wheels Technology Co., Ltd., or Wheels Technology, to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs and their PRC subsidiaries are required to set aside at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until the total amount set aside reaches 50% of their respective registered capital. Our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs and their subsidiaries may also allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to employee welfare and bonus funds at their discretion. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, if Wheels Technology incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may require us to adjust our taxable income under the contractual arrangements we currently have in place in a manner that would materially and adversely affect Wheels Technology’s ability to pay dividends and other distributions to us. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries, including Wheels Technology, to distribute dividends to us or on the ability of the VIEs to make payments to Wheels Technology may restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements.
Taxation on Dividends or Distributions
Li Auto Inc.’s source of dividend partly comes from dividends paid by its PRC subsidiaries, including Wheels Technology, which in part depends on payments received from the VIEs under the contractual arrangements with the VIEs. We have never declared or paid any dividend on our ordinary shares and we do not currently intend to pay dividends to shareholders or holders of ADSs. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. The undistributed earnings that are subject to dividend tax are expected to be indefinitely reinvested for the foreseeable future. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.” For PRC and United States federal income tax considerations of an investment in our ADSs, see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation.”
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Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, Li Auto Inc. is not subject to tax on income or capital gains. Upon payments of dividends to our shareholders, no Cayman Islands withholding tax will be imposed. For purposes of illustration, the following discussion reflects the hypothetical taxes that might be required to be paid within mainland China, assuming that: (i) we have taxable earnings, and (ii) we determine to pay a dividend in the future:
Tax calculation (1)
Hypothetical pre-tax earnings(2) 100 %
Tax on earnings at statutory rate of 25%(3) (25) %
Net earnings available for distribution 75 %
Withholding tax at standard rate of 10%(4) (7.5) %
Net distribution to Parent/Shareholders 67.5 %
Notes:
(1) For purposes of this example, the tax calculation has been simplified. The hypothetical book pre-tax earnings amount, not considering timing differences, is assumed to equal taxable income in China.
(2) Under the terms of the VIE agreements, our PRC subsidiaries may charge the VIEs for services provided to VIEs. These service fees will be recognized as expenses of the VIEs, with a corresponding amount as service income by our PRC subsidiaries and eliminate in consolidation. For income tax purposes, our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs file income tax returns on a separate company basis. The service fees paid are recognized as a tax deduction by the VIEs and as income by our PRC subsidiaries and are tax neutral.
(3) Certain of our subsidiaries and the VIEs qualify for a 15% preferential income tax rate in China, or an income tax exemption for two years beginning from their first profitable calendar year since 2022, and a 50% reduction in the standard statutory rate for the subsequent three consecutive years. However, such tax benefit is subject to qualification, is temporary in nature, and may not be available in a future period when distributions are paid. For purposes of this hypothetical example, the table above reflects a maximum tax scenario under which the full statutory rate would be effective.
(4) The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law imposes a withholding income tax of 10% on dividends distributed by a foreign-invested enterprise to its immediate holding company outside of China. A lower withholding income tax rate of 5% is applied if the foreign-invested enterprise’s immediate holding company is registered in Hong Kong or other jurisdictions that have a tax treaty arrangement with China, subject to a qualification review at the time of the distribution. For purposes of this hypothetical example, the table above assumes a maximum tax scenario under which the full withholding tax would be applied.
The table above has been prepared under the assumption that all profits of the VIEs will be distributed as fees to our PRC subsidiaries under tax neutral contractual arrangements. If, in the future, the accumulated earnings of the VIEs exceed the service fees paid to our PRC subsidiaries (or if the current and contemplated fee structure between the intercompany entities is determined to be non-substantive and disallowed by PRC tax authorities), the VIEs could make a non-deductible transfer to our PRC subsidiaries for the amounts of the stranded cash in the VIEs. This would result in such transfer being non-deductible expenses for the VIEs but still taxable income for the PRC subsidiaries. Our management believes that there is only a remote possibility that this scenario would happen.
As of December 31, 2025, the VIEs and their subsidiaries did not pay any service fees to Wheels Technology.
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Financial Information Relating to the VIEs
The following tables present the condensed consolidating schedules for our consolidated variable interest entities and other entities for the years and as of the dates indicated.
Condensed Consolidating Schedule of Statements of Income Information
For the Year Ended December 31, 2025
Primary VIEs and
Other Beneficiary VIEs’ Eliminating Consolidated
Li Auto Inc. Subsidiaries of VIEs Subsidiaries Adjustments Totals
(RMB in thousands)
Third-party revenues — 112,272,534 3,804 36,173 — 112,312,511
Inter-company revenues(1) — 573,721 7,586,221 1,010,264 (9,170,206) —
Third-party cost — (90,841,490) (481,487) (4,476) — (91,327,453)
Inter-company cost — (7,052,318) — (295) 7,052,613 —
Third-party expenses (33,461) (15,234,858) (5,656,411) (581,445) — (21,506,175)
Inter-company expenses — (1,614,298) (503,295) — 2,117,593 —
Share of income from subsidiaries, and income of VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries(2) 1,095,363 1,896,675 411,236 — (3,403,274) —
Other income 62,536 1,486,352 180,853 88,511 — 1,818,252
Income before income tax 1,124,438 1,486,318 1,540,921 548,732 (3,403,274) 1,297,135
Income tax (expense)/benefit — (375,965) 355,754 (137,496) — (157,707)
Net income 1,124,438 1,110,353 1,896,675 411,236 (3,403,274) 1,139,428
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — 14,990 — — — 14,990
Net income attributable to shareholders of Li Auto Inc. 1,124,438 1,095,363 1,896,675 411,236 (3,403,274) 1,124,438
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024
Primary VIEs and
Other Beneficiary VIEs’ Eliminating Consolidated
Li Auto Inc. Subsidiaries of VIEs Subsidiaries Adjustments Totals
(RMB in thousands)
Third-party revenues — 144,411,378 24,963 23,605 — 144,459,946
Inter-company revenues(1) — 272,269 10,397,969 1,733,503 (12,403,741) —
Third-party cost — (114,312,446) (483,642) (7,720) — (114,803,808)
Inter-company cost — (9,163,047) (17,502) (202) 9,180,751 —
Third-party expenses (29,476) (14,978,984) (5,934,108) (1,611,040) (83,416) (22,637,024)
Inter-company expenses — (3,126,729) (174,967) (4,721) 3,306,417 —
Share of income from subsidiaries, and income of VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries(2) 7,821,521 3,908,546 293,273 — (12,023,340) —
Other income 240,305 1,596,959 151,358 307,888 — 2,296,510
Income before income tax 8,032,350 8,607,946 4,257,344 441,313 (12,023,329) 9,315,624
Income tax expense — (773,537) (348,797) (148,040) — (1,270,374)
Net income 8,032,350 7,834,409 3,908,547 293,273 (12,023,329) 8,045,250
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — 12,900 — — — 12,900
Net income attributable to shareholders of Li Auto Inc. 8,032,350 7,821,509 3,908,547 293,273 (12,023,329) 8,032,350
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For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Primary VIEs and
Other Beneficiary VIEs’ Eliminating Consolidated
Li Auto Inc. Subsidiaries of VIEs Subsidiaries Adjustments Totals
(RMB in thousands)
Third-party revenues — 123,847,956 — 3,376 — 123,851,332
Inter-company revenues(1) — 276,005 11,129,769 2,643,402 (14,049,176) —
Third-party cost — (96,019,319) (323,732) (11,530) — (96,354,581)
Inter-company cost — (7,865,495) (5,323) — 7,870,818 —
Third-party expenses (44,419) (13,481,777) (5,284,417) (1,275,066) (4,195) (20,089,874)
Inter-company expenses — (5,987,526) (126,164) (68,874) 6,182,564 —
Share of income from subsidiaries, and income of VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries(2) 11,716,065 8,348,144 2,146,866 — (22,211,075) —
Other income 32,493 1,101,328 811,144 1,099,921 — 3,044,886
Income before income tax 11,704,139 10,219,316 8,348,143 2,391,229 (22,211,064) 10,451,763
Income tax (expense)/benefit (6) 1,601,731 — (244,363) — 1,357,362
Net income 11,704,133 11,821,047 8,348,143 2,146,866 (22,211,064) 11,809,125
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — 104,992 — — — 104,992
Net income attributable to shareholders of Li Auto Inc. 11,704,133 11,716,055 8,348,143 2,146,866 (22,211,064) 11,704,133
Condensed Consolidating Schedule of Balance Sheet Information
As of December 31, 2025
Primary VIEs and
Other Beneficiary VIEs’ Eliminating Consolidated
Li Auto Inc. Subsidiaries of VIEs Subsidiaries Adjustments Totals
(RMB in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents 3,949,313 51,327,251 528 1,414,673 — 56,691,765
Restricted cash — 212,946 — 3,368 — 216,314
Time deposits and short-term investments — 40,499,596 — 3,831,811 — 44,331,407
Trade receivable, net — 118,661 — 1,162 — 119,823
Amounts due from the Group companies(4) 50,309,768 (202,132) 17,012,448 3,679,148 (70,799,232) —
Inventories — 8,752,439 — — — 8,752,439
Prepayments and other current assets 7,416 4,982,319 46,236 138,275 — 5,174,246
Investments in subsidiaries(2) 24,338,730 24,478,195 — — (48,816,925) —
Contractual interest in VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries(2) — — 8,771,151 — (8,771,151) —
Long-term investments 14,890 758,782 430,844 75,000 (430,844) 848,672
Property, plant and equipment, net(3) 1 22,511,812 179,350 83,775 — 22,774,938
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net — 8,505,827 24,364 569,122 — 9,099,313
Intangible assets, net(3) — 1,057,764 114,051 20,159 — 1,191,974
Goodwill — 5,484 — — — 5,484
Deferred tax assets — 3,319,331 525 14,350 — 3,334,206
Other non-current assets — 1,574,851 17,400 162,986 — 1,755,237
Total assets 78,620,118 167,903,126 26,596,897 9,993,829 (128,818,152) 154,295,818
Short-term borrowings 5,982,366 235,379 — — — 6,217,745
Trade and notes payable — 39,737,260 832,433 9,526 — 40,579,219
Amounts due to the Group companies(4) 3,549 70,687,457 285,795 332,789 (71,309,590) —
Amounts due to related parties — 26,482 139 23 — 26,644
Deferred revenue, current — 1,621,429 — — — 1,621,429
Operating lease liabilities, current — 1,619,534 14,694 56,128 — 1,690,356
Accruals and other current liabilities 14,948 12,242,471 979,261 175,580 — 13,412,260
Long-term borrowings — 3,299,203 — — — 3,299,203
Deferred revenue, non-current — 624,734 — — — 624,734
Operating lease liabilities, non-current — 5,628,955 5,476 624,526 — 6,258,957
Finance lease liabilities, non-current — 348,506 — — — 348,506
Deferred tax liabilities — 691,652 — — — 691,652
Other non-current liabilities — 6,360,360 904 24,106 — 6,385,370
Total liabilities 6,000,863 143,123,422 2,118,702 1,222,678 (71,309,590) 81,156,075
Total shareholders’ equity 72,619,255 24,779,704 24,478,195 8,771,151 (57,508,562) 73,139,743
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 78,620,118 167,903,126 26,596,897 9,993,829 (128,818,152) 154,295,818
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As of December 31, 2024
Primary VIEs and
Other Beneficiary VIEs’ Eliminating Consolidated
Li Auto Inc. Subsidiaries of VIEs Subsidiaries Adjustments Totals
(RMB in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents 4,943,339 57,210,590 531 3,746,663 — 65,901,123
Restricted cash — 3,463 — 3,386 — 6,849
Time deposits and short-term investments 2,613,125 41,783,722 — 2,507,701 — 46,904,548
Trade receivable — 130,854 — 4,258 — 135,112
Amounts due from the Group companies(4) 49,408,573 12,116,225 26,461,093 3,271,021 (91,256,912) —
Inventories — 8,185,604 — — — 8,185,604
Prepayments and other current assets 23,955 4,984,024 13,565 155,002 — 5,176,546
Investments in subsidiaries(2) 20,111,191 21,882,046 — — (41,993,237) —
Contractual interest in VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries(2) — — 8,244,617 — (8,244,617) —
Long-term investments 45,799 705,560 — 171,538 — 922,897
Property, plant and equipment, net(3) 2 20,101,000 915,156 124,775 — 21,140,933
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net — 7,519,723 191,911 612,329 — 8,323,963
Intangible assets, net(3) — 302,065 98,139 666,853 (152,106) 914,951
Goodwill — 5,484 — — — 5,484
Deferred tax assets — 2,537,752 1,301 3,127 — 2,542,180
Other non-current assets — 1,860,190 30,982 297,716 — 2,188,888
Total assets 77,145,984 179,328,302 35,957,295 11,564,369 (141,646,872) 162,349,078
Short-term borrowings — 281,102 — — — 281,102
Trade and notes payable — 51,749,882 502,722 1,343,590 — 53,596,194
Amounts due to the Group companies(4) 3,721 79,087,602 11,234,068 897,615 (91,223,006) —
Amounts due to related parties — 11,321 148 23 — 11,492
Deferred revenue, current — 1,396,489 — — — 1,396,489
Operating lease liabilities, current — 1,366,644 21,235 50,213 — 1,438,092
Finance lease liabilities, current — — 95,205 — — 95,205
Accruals and other current liabilities 12,482 10,423,976 1,636,454 324,410 — 12,397,322
Long-term borrowings 6,254,897 1,896,701 — — — 8,151,598
Deferred revenue, non-current — 720,531 — — — 720,531
Operating lease liabilities, non-current — 5,051,746 16,216 667,776 — 5,735,738
Finance lease liabilities, non-current — 346,914 296,070 — — 642,984
Deferred tax liabilities — 860,362 — 4,637 — 864,999
Other non-current liabilities — 5,392,331 273,131 31,488 — 5,696,950
Total liabilities 6,271,100 158,585,601 14,075,249 3,319,752 (91,223,006) 91,028,696
Total shareholders’ equity 70,874,884 20,742,701 21,882,046 8,244,617 (50,423,866) 71,320,382
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 77,145,984 179,328,302 35,957,295 11,564,369 (141,646,872) 162,349,078
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Condensed Consolidating Schedule of Cash Flow Information
For the Year Ended December 31, 2025
Primary VIEs and
Other Beneficiary VIEs’ Eliminating Consolidated
Li Auto Inc. Subsidiaries of VIEs Subsidiaries Adjustments Totals
(RMB in thousands)
Net cash (used in)/provided by inter-company transactions(5) — (15,452,986) 14,442,722 1,010,264 — —
Net cash provided by/(used in) transactions with external entities 166,907 (1,894,358) (6,264,194) (619,752) — (8,611,397)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 166,907 (17,347,344) 8,178,528 390,512 — (8,611,397)
Net cash (used in)/provided by inter-company transactions(6) (2,497,737) 11,844,754 — — (9,347,017) —
Other investing activities with external entities 1,416,010 (562,665) (341,451) (1,215,019) — (703,125)
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities (1,081,727) 11,282,089 (341,451) (1,215,019) (9,347,017) (703,125)
Net cash used in inter-company transactions(6) — — (7,837,077) (1,509,940) 9,347,017 —
Other financing activities with external entities 14,661 752,741 — — — 767,402
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 14,661 752,741 (7,837,077) (1,509,940) 9,347,017 767,402
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024
Primary VIEs and
Other Beneficiary VIEs’ Eliminating Consolidated
Li Auto Inc. Subsidiaries of VIEs Subsidiaries Adjustments Totals
(RMB in thousands)
Net cash (used in)/provided by inter-company transactions(5) — (5,708,550) 3,975,047 1,733,503 — —
Net cash provided by/(used in) transactions with external entities 205,249 23,018,655 (6,598,239) (692,505) — 15,933,160
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 205,249 17,310,105 (2,623,192) 1,040,998 — 15,933,160
Net cash provided by inter-company transactions(6) 6,751,926 23,149,993 — — (29,901,919) —
Other investing activities with external entities (2,543,595) (46,101,140) (151,074) 7,658,640 — (41,137,169)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities 4,208,331 (22,951,147) (151,074) 7,658,640 (29,901,919) (41,137,169)
Net cash provided by/(used in) inter-company transactions(6) — 1,081 2,774,074 (32,677,074) 29,901,919 —
Other financing activities with external entities (685,342) 269,694 — — — (415,648)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities (685,342) 270,775 2,774,074 (32,677,074) 29,901,919 (415,648)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Primary VIEs and
Other Beneficiary VIEs’ Eliminating Consolidated
Li Auto Inc. Subsidiaries of VIEs Subsidiaries Adjustments Totals
(RMB in thousands)
Net cash (used in)/provided by inter-company transactions(5) — (2,869,165) 225,763 2,643,402 — —
Net cash provided by/(used in) transactions with external entities 56,515 62,188,526 (3,958,498) (7,593,022) — 50,693,521
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 56,515 59,319,361 (3,732,735) (4,949,620) — 50,693,521
Net cash used in inter-company transactions (6) (3,589,329) (15,616,488) — — 19,205,817 —
Other investing activities with external entities 2,137,626 133,450 (195,386) (2,087,758) — (12,068)
Net cash used in investing activities (1,451,703) (15,483,038) (195,386) (2,087,758) 19,205,817 (12,068)
Net cash provided by inter-company transactions (6) — — 3,926,604 15,279,213 (19,205,817) —
Other financing activities with external entities 1,547,552 (862,167) — (500,000) — 185,385
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 1,547,552 (862,167) 3,926,604 14,779,213 (19,205,817) 185,385
Notes:
(1) It mainly represents the elimination of the inter-company technical and other service fees.
(2) It represents the elimination of the investment in our subsidiaries by Li Auto Inc. and contractual interests in the VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries.
(3) It represents the elimination of the unrealized profit from inter-company transfer of long-lived assets.
(4) It represents the elimination of intercompany balances among Li Auto Inc., VIEs, and our subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2024 and 2025, there were no balances for management fees charged to VIEs. The amounts due from group companies and the amounts due to group companies represent the funds provided among Li Auto Inc., the VIEs, and our subsidiaries.
(5) For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, cash paid by subsidiaries to VIEs mainly for certain service fees were RMB2.6 billion, RMB1.7 billion, and RMB1.0 billion respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, no management fees were paid by VIEs to the WFOE (pursuant to each management fee arrangement with the VIEs).
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(6) For the years ended December 31, 2023, net cash provided by subsidiaries to VIEs were RMB15.3 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2025, net cash provided by VIEs to subsidiaries were RMB32.7 billion and RMB1.5 billion.
A. [Reserved]
Selected Financial Data
The following selected consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss)/income data and selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2024 and 2025 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in this annual report beginning on page F-1. The selected consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data and selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this annual report. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. You should read this selected financial data together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and information under “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP.
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss)/income data for the years indicated.
For the Year Ended December 31,
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB US$
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
Selected Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss)/Income Data:
Revenues:
—Vehicle sales 26,128,469 44,106,434 120,294,667 138,538,092 106,683,100 15,255,480
—Other sales and services 881,310 1,180,382 3,556,665 5,921,854 5,629,411 804,995
Total revenues 27,009,779 45,286,816 123,851,332 144,459,946 112,312,511 16,060,475
Cost of sales(1)
—Vehicle sales (20,755,578) (35,688,343) (94,482,347) (111,121,036) (87,591,473) (12,525,414)
—Other sales and services (492,747) (808,017) (1,872,234) (3,682,772) (3,735,980) (534,238)
Total cost of sales (21,248,325) (36,496,360) (96,354,581) (114,803,808) (91,327,453) (13,059,652)
Gross profit 5,761,454 8,790,456 27,496,751 29,656,138 20,985,058 3,000,823
Operating expenses:
—Research and development(1) (3,286,389) (6,780,032) (10,586,129) (11,071,358) (11,314,949) (1,618,016)
—Selling, general and administrative(1) (3,492,385) (5,665,301) (9,767,955) (12,229,323) (10,664,857) (1,525,055)
—Other operating income, net — — 264,210 663,657 473,631 67,728
Total operating expenses. (6,778,774) (12,445,333) (20,089,874) (22,637,024) (21,506,175) (3,075,343)
(Loss)/Income from operations (1,017,320) (3,654,877) 7,406,877 7,019,114 (521,117) (74,520)
Other income 864,508 1,495,522 3,044,886 2,296,510 1,818,252 260,007
(Loss)/Income before income tax (152,812) (2,159,355) 10,451,763 9,315,624 1,297,135 185,487
Net (loss)/income (321,455) (2,032,348) 11,809,125 8,045,250 1,139,428 162,935
Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of Li Auto Inc. (321,455) (2,012,215) 11,704,133 8,032,350 1,124,438 160,792
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
Basic 1,853,320,448 1,941,230,998 1,967,863,759 1,993,191,951 2,015,070,194 2,015,070,194
Diluted 1,853,320,448 1,941,230,998 2,115,376,392 2,129,273,430 2,142,727,527 2,142,727,527
Net (loss)/earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders
Basic (0.17) (1.04) 5.95 4.03 0.56 0.08
Diluted (0.17) (1.04) 5.55 3.79 0.54 0.08
Net (loss)/income (321,455) (2,032,348) 11,809,125 8,045,250 1,139,428 162,935
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income (516,687) 1,327,761 (30,766) 53,128 (653,432) (93,440)
Total comprehensive (loss)/income (838,142) (704,587) 11,778,359 8,098,378 485,996 69,495
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of Li Auto Inc. (838,142) (684,454) 11,673,367 8,085,478 471,006 67,352
Note:
(1) Share-based compensation expenses were allocated as follows:
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For the Year Ended December 31,
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB US$
(in thousands)
Cost of sales 26,713 44,845 46,631 39,728 35,996 5,147
Research and development expenses 741,793 1,333,710 1,552,421 1,257,921 782,917 111,956
Selling, general and administrative expenses 332,850 674,610 779,637 1,333,256 438,841 62,753
Total 1,101,356 2,053,165 2,378,689 2,630,905 1,257,754 179,856
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated balance sheet data as of the dates indicated.
As of December 31,
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB US$
(in thousands)
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents 27,854,224 38,478,016 91,329,030 65,901,123 56,691,765 8,106,815
Restricted cash 2,638,840 1,940,142 479 6,849 216,314 30,932
Time deposits and short-term investments 19,668,239 18,031,395 11,933,255 46,904,548 44,331,407 6,339,307
Total assets 61,848,913 86,537,951 143,467,471 162,349,078 154,295,818 22,064,007
Total liabilities 20,784,611 41,351,644 82,892,249 91,028,696 81,156,075 11,605,162
Total shareholders’ equity 41,064,302 45,186,307 60,575,222 71,320,382 73,139,743 10,458,845
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 61,848,913 86,537,951 143,467,471 162,349,078 154,295,818 22,064,007
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated cash flow data for the years indicated.
For the Year Ended December 31,
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB US$
(in thousands)
Selected Consolidated Cash Flow Data:
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 8,340,385 7,380,266 50,693,521 15,933,160 (8,611,397) (1,231,413)
Net cash used in investing activities (4,257,244) (4,364,661) (12,068) (41,137,169) (703,125) (100,546)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 16,709,533 5,639,392 185,385 (415,648) 767,402 109,737
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (472,129) 1,270,097 44,513 198,120 (452,773) (64,746)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 20,320,545 9,925,094 50,911,351 (25,421,537) (8,999,893) (1,286,968)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the year 10,172,519 30,493,064 40,418,158 91,329,509 65,907,972 9,424,715
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the year 30,493,064 40,418,158 91,329,509 65,907,972 56,908,079 8,137,747
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
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D. Risks Factors
Summary of Risk Factors
An investment in our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares involves significant risks. Below is a summary of material risks that we face, organized under headings. These risks are discussed more fully below.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
● We may not be successful in the highly competitive China automotive market.
● We had net losses in the past and may not be able to maintain our profitability.
● Our vehicles may not perform in line with user expectations and may contain defects.
● We may not succeed in continuing to establish, maintain, and strengthen our brand, and our brand and reputation could be harmed by negative publicity with respect to us, our directors, officers, employees, shareholders, peers, business partners, or our industry in general.
● We could experience disruptions in supply of raw materials or components used in our vehicles from our third-party suppliers, some of which are our single-source suppliers for the components they supply.
● Our business depends substantially on the continued efforts of our executive officers, key employees, and qualified personnel, and our operations may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.
● Changes in PRC government policies that are favorable for NEVs or domestically manufactured vehicles could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
● The current tensions in international trade and rising international political tensions may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
● A global shortage in the supply of semiconductor chips and memory components may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
● We may be compelled to undertake product recalls or other actions, which could adversely affect our brand image, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.
● We may face challenges in expanding our business and operations internationally and our ability to conduct business in international markets may be adversely affected by legal, regulatory, political, and economic risks.
Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure
● We are a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in the VIEs and we conduct our operations in China through (i) our PRC subsidiaries and (ii) the VIEs, with which we have maintained contractual arrangements, and their subsidiaries. Investors in our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs thus are not purchasing equity interest in the VIEs in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in a Cayman Islands holding company. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with the VIEs do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Our holding company in the Cayman Islands, the VIEs, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of our consolidated VIEs and our company as a group.
● We rely on contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their respective shareholders to maintain a controlling financial interest in the VIEs, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.
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● Our ability to enforce the equity pledge agreements between us and the VIEs’ shareholders may be subject to limitations based on PRC laws and regulations.
Risks Relating to Doing Business in China
● Changes in China’s economic, political, or social conditions, or government policies could have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
● The PRC legal system is developing, which could lead to uncertainties that adversely affect us.
● We may be adversely affected by the complexity and changes in PRC regulations on automotive and internet-related businesses and companies.
● Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
● Discontinuation of any of the preferential tax treatments and government subsidies or imposition of any additional taxes and surcharges could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
● Our leased property interest may be defective and our right to lease the properties affected by such defects challenged, which could cause significant disruption to our business.
● The PRC government’s oversight and discretion over our business operations could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.
● The PCAOB had historically been unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of our auditor in the past had deprived our investors with the benefits of such inspections.
● Our ADSs may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in mainland China and Hong Kong. The delisting of the ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.
Risks Relating to our ADSs and Class A Ordinary Shares
● The trading price of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs has been and may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.
● Our dual-class voting structure will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs may view as beneficial.
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Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
We may not be successful in the highly competitive China automotive market.
The China automotive market is highly competitive. We compete with ICE vehicles and new energy vehicles. Within the NEV market, traditional automotive OEMs, including both domestic automakers and joint venture enterprises, command a significant portion of the market share and enjoy established brand recognition, extensive distribution networks and massive manufacturing scale. Our EREVs are also subject to increasingly fierce competition with more entrants into this segment. Many of our current and potential competitors or new market entrants have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing and branding, talents, and other resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to the design, development, manufacturing, marketing, sales, and support of their vehicles. For example, we believe that BYD has a dominant market share in the NEV market, in particular for NEVs priced under RMB200,000 (US$28,600), and Tesla holds a dominant position in the segment for NEVs priced above RMB 200,000 (US$28,600). Meanwhile, experienced entrants from the smart phone industry, such as Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) and Xiaomi, are further intensifying the competitive landscape of the NEV market in China, with their popular models reaching a significant number of deliveries.
We expect competition in the China automotive market to intensify in the future in light of intense price competition and phase-out of government subsidies. In January and February 2026, the NEV market in China experienced a year-on-year decline primarily due to an influx of market supply and the continued phase-out of government subsidiaries. Such market softening highlights the volatile nature of consumer demand and the identifying competitive pressures we face. Factors affecting competition include, among others, technological innovation, product quality and safety, product pricing, sales efficiency, manufacturing efficiency, quality of services, branding, and design and styling. Increasing competition may lead to lower vehicle unit sales and increasing inventory, which may result in downward price pressure and may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete against other vehicle brands for market share in existing and new markets. If products from our competitors successfully compete with or surpass the quality or performance of our vehicles at more competitive prices, our profitability and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We had net losses in the past and may not be able to maintain our profitability.
Although we generated net income of RMB11.8 billion, RMB8.0 billion and RMB1.1 billion (US$162.9 million) in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively, we incurred net losses before 2023. In addition, despite achieving profitability for the full year 2025, we incurred a net loss of RMB624.4 million in the third quarter of 2025. We recorded loss from operations of RMB521.1 million (US$74.5 million) in 2025, compared with income from operations of RMB7.0 billion in 2024 and income from operations of RMB7.4 billion in 2023. While we had net cash provided by operating activities of RMB50.7 billion, RMB15.9 billion in 2023 and 2024, respectively, we had net cash used in operating activities of RMB8.6 billion (US$1.2 billion) in 2025. We made capital expenditures of RMB6.5 billion, RMB7.7 billion and RMB4.2 billion (US$601.4 million) in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. The pressure on us to maintain profitable may be exacerbated by our contractual obligations, including capital commitments, operating lease obligations, purchase obligations, finance leases, and borrowings. We expect to continue to invest in research and development, production ramp-up of our new models, development of our manufacturing bases, and expansion of retail stores, showrooms, delivery and servicing centers and charging network to further expand our business. These investments may not result in revenue increase, or at all, and we may not be able to maintain our profitability and could incur net losses again in the future. We may not generate sufficient revenues or incur substantial losses for a number of reasons, including lack of demand for our vehicles, increasing competition, and other risks discussed herein, and we may incur unforeseen expenses, or encounter difficulties, complications, or delays in deriving revenues or maintaining profitability.
Our vehicles may not perform in line with user expectations and may contain defects.
Our vehicles may not perform in line with user expectations. Any product defects or any other failure of our vehicles to perform or operate as expected could harm our reputation and result in negative publicity, lost revenue, delivery delays, product recalls, product liability claims, harm to our brand, and significant expenses including warranty and other items that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
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Our vehicles may contain design and manufacturing defects. The design and manufacturing of our vehicles are complex and could contain latent defects and errors, which may cause our vehicles not to perform or operate as expected or even result in property damage or personal injuries. For instance, we voluntarily recalled 11,411 of 2024 Li MEGA in the third quarter of 2025 due to certain hardware-related safety risks. Furthermore, our vehicles use a substantial amount of third-party and in-house software codes and complex hardware to operate. We rely mostly on third-party suppliers for the provision and development of many of the key components and materials used in our vehicles. Advanced technologies are inherently complex, and defects and errors may be revealed over time. Our control over the long-term consistent performance of third-party services and systems is limited. We also have limited control over the effectiveness of our third-party suppliers’ quality control procedures. While we have performed extensive internal testing on our vehicles’ software and hardware systems, we have a limited frame of reference by which to assess the long-term performance of our systems and vehicles. We cannot assure you that we will be able to detect and fix any defects in the vehicles on a timely basis, or at all.
In addition, we have limited operating history in testing, delivering, and servicing our vehicles. Although we have established rigorous protocols in each process of testing, delivering, and servicing of our vehicles where manual operations are required, there could be maloperation, negligence, or failure to follow protocols by our employees or third-party service providers. Such human error could result in failure of our vehicles to perform or operate as expected. We cannot assure you that we will be able to completely prevent human errors.
Furthermore, any technical defects in or significant performance issues related to our EREV powertrain or 5C super charging technologies and our autonomous driving system may weaken user confidence in our vehicles. If any of our vehicles fail to perform or operate as expected, whether as a result of human error or otherwise, we may need to delay deliveries, initiate product recalls, provide servicing or updates under warranty at our expense, and face potential lawsuits, which could adversely affect our brand, business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may not succeed in continuing to establish, maintain, and strengthen our brand, and our brand and reputation could be harmed by negative publicity with respect to us, our directors, officers, employees, shareholders, peers, business partners, or our industry in general.
Our business and prospects are affected by our ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen our brand. If we fail to do so we may lose the opportunity to build a critical mass of users. Promoting and positioning our brand will likely depend significantly on our ability to provide high quality vehicles and services and engage with our users as intended, and we have limited experience in these areas. In addition, we expect that our ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen the brand will depend heavily on the success of our branding efforts. We market our brand through media, word-of-mouth, events, and advertising. Such efforts may not achieve the desired results. If we do not develop and maintain a strong brand, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects will be materially and adversely affected.
Our reputation and brand are vulnerable to many threats that can be difficult or impossible to predict, control, and costly or impossible to remediate. From time to time, our vehicles are reviewed by media or other third parties. Any negative reviews directly on our vehicles, whether factual or not, or reviews that compare us unfavorably to competitors could adversely affect consumer perception about our vehicles. Negative publicity about us, such as alleged misconduct, unethical business practices, or other improper activities, or rumors relating to our business, directors, officers, employees, or shareholders, or negative publicity about third parties that use the same or similar brand name as ours, can harm our reputation, business, and results of operations, even if they are baseless, irrelevant, or satisfactorily addressed. These allegations, even if unproven or meritless, may lead to inquiries, investigations, or other legal actions against us by regulatory or government authorities as well as private parties. Any regulatory inquiries or investigations and lawsuits against us, perceptions of inappropriate business conduct by us or perceived wrongdoing by any member of our management team, among other things, could substantially damage our reputation, and cause us to incur significant costs to defend ourselves. Any negative market perception or publicity regarding our suppliers or other business partners that we closely cooperate with, or any regulatory inquiries or investigations and lawsuits initiated against them, may also have an impact on our brand and reputation, or subject us to regulatory inquiries or investigations or lawsuits. In addition, our brand and reputation could be significantly impacted by the public reaction on the statements and social media activities of our management team, including our founder. Any controversial remarks or perceived inappropriate conduct may lead to negative publicity and adversely affect investor and consumer confidence.
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Moreover, any negative media publicity about the auto industry, especially the NEV industry, or product or service quality problems of other automakers in the industry in which we operate, including our competitors, may also negatively impact our reputation and brand. In particular, given the popularity of social media, such as Weixin, Douyin, and Weibo in China, any negative publicity, whether true or not, such as road accidents, vehicle self-ignition, or other perceived or actual safety issues, could quickly proliferate and harm user perceptions and confidence in our brand. Perceived or actual concerns on battery deterioration that are often associated with NEVs could also adversely affect user confidence in our vehicles. If we are unable to maintain a good reputation or further enhance our brand recognition, our ability to attract and retain users, third-party partners, and key employees could be harmed and, as a result, our business, financial position, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We could experience disruptions in supply of raw materials or components used in our vehicles from our third-party suppliers, some of which are our single-source suppliers for the components they supply.
We collaborate with various third-party suppliers for sourced parts, including battery cells and semiconductor chips, to build our vehicles. Some of the third-party suppliers are currently our single-source suppliers selected from two or more suppliers that are readily available in the market for these components, and we expect that this may continue for our future vehicles consistent with market practice. We also rely on key raw materials, such as steel and aluminum, sourced from our third-party suppliers. The prices for these raw materials may fluctuate depending on factors beyond our control, including market conditions and global demand for these materials, and thus could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The supply chain exposes us to multiple potential sources of delivery failure or component shortages. We may still experience supply chain constraints as China’s automotive industry is undergoing a structural change that is leading to increased demand for advanced components and chips, many of which are used in our vehicles. While we are exploring strategic investments and long-term supply agreements to secure our battery supply, these efforts may not ultimately succeed in mitigating the systemic risks of industry-wide shortages. Notably, since the latter half of 2025, the industry-wide shortage of advanced battery cells, driven by surging demand for long-range NEVs and infrastructure deployment, has created significant challenges for our production ramp-up. Such supply-side constraints, if prolonged, could lead to increased procurement costs or delays in fulfilling our order backlog. For example, starting in late 2025, we have experienced significant delivery delays for our Li i6 model due to supply constraints for certain core components, particularly the battery cells. In addition, the current tension in international trade and politics, including various restrictions related to the Chinese semiconductor industry imposed by the U.S. government, may also adversely affect the supply of our chips. In the past, we adjusted our delivery outlook and may continue to make similar adjustment in the future due to various reasons, such as supply chain constraints or insufficient consumer demand, and such adjustments may have a negative impact on the prices of our Class A ordinary shares and the ADSs.
We do not control our third-party suppliers or their business practices. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the quality of the components manufactured by them will be consistent and maintained to a high standard. Any defects of or quality issues with these components or any noncompliance incidents associated with these third-party suppliers could result in quality issues with our vehicles and hence compromise our brand image and results of operations. Additionally, we cannot assure you of third-party suppliers’ compliance with ethical business practices, such as environmental responsibilities, fair wage practices, and compliance with child labor laws, among others. A lack of demonstrated compliance could lead us to seek alternative suppliers, which could increase our costs and results in delayed delivery of our products, product shortages, or other disruptions of our operations.
Furthermore, qualifying alternate third-party suppliers or developing our own replacements for certain highly customized components of our vehicles may be time consuming and costly. Any disruption in the supply of components, whether or not from a single-source supplier, could temporarily disrupt production of our vehicles until an alternative supplier is fully qualified by us or is otherwise able to supply us the required material. We cannot assure you that we would be able to successfully retain alternative third-party suppliers or supplies on a timely basis, on acceptable terms, or at all. Changes in business conditions, force majeure, government changes, or other factors beyond our control or anticipation, could also affect our third-party suppliers’ ability to deliver components to us on a timely basis. Moreover, if we experience a significant increase in demand or need to replace our existing third-party suppliers, we cannot assure you that additional supplies will be available when required on terms that are favorable to us, or at all, or that any third-party supplier would allocate sufficient supplies to us in order to meet our requirements or fill our orders in a timely manner. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
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Our business depends substantially on the continued efforts of our executive officers, key employees, and qualified personnel, and our operations may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.
Our success depends substantially on the continued efforts of our executive officers and key employees with expertise in various areas. If one or more of our executive officers or key employees were unable or unwilling to continue their services with us, we might not be able to replace them easily, in a timely manner, or at all. As we build our brand and become more well-known, the risk that competitors or other companies may poach our talent increases. Our industry is characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent, in particular with respect to qualified talent in the areas of vehicle intelligence, autonomous driving, embodied AI, foundation models and robotics, and therefore we cannot assure you that we will be able to attract or retain qualified staff or other highly skilled employees. In 2025, we experienced significant turnover among managers in our core business departments. As these individuals possess critical know-how regarding our core technologies and strategic planning, their departures—especially if they join our competitors—could undermine our competitive advantages and materially and adversely affect our business prospects and results of operations.
In addition, because our vehicles are based on different technology platforms from traditional ICE vehicles, individuals with sufficient training in such vehicles may not be available to hire, and we will need to expend significant time and expense training the employees we hire. We also require sufficient talent in areas such as software development. Furthermore, as our company is rapidly evolving, our ability to train and integrate new employees into our operations may not meet the growing demands of our business, which may materially and adversely affect our ability to grow our business and our results of operations.
If any of our executive officers and key employees terminates his or her services with us, our business may be severely disrupted, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected and we may incur additional expenses to recruit, train, and retain qualified personnel. We have not obtained any “key person” insurance on our key personnel. If any of our executive officers or key employees joins a competitor or forms a competing company regardless of whether non-competition agreements are in place and enforceable, we may lose users, know-how and key professionals and staff members. To the extent permitted by laws, each of our executive officers and key employees has entered into an employment agreement and a non-compete agreement with us. However, if any dispute arises between our executive officers or key employees and us, the non-competition provisions contained in their non-compete agreements may not be enforceable, especially in China, where these executive officers reside, on the ground that we have not provided adequate compensation to them for their non-competition obligations, which is required under PRC laws.
Changes in PRC government policies that are favorable for NEVs or domestically manufactured vehicles could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
The growth of our business benefits from PRC government policies at central and local levels that support the development of NEVs and domestically manufactured vehicles.
The PRC government has been implementing strict vehicle emission standards for ICE vehicles. On May 30, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR, and the National Standardization Administration jointly issued the Electric Vehicle Energy Consumption Standards Part 1: Passenger Vehicles, effective on January 1, 2026, to regulate electric vehicles regarding their energy efficiency. Our EREVs are equipped with both an ICE-based range extension system and electric motors and are thus required to comply with both standards. If the electric vehicle energy consumption standards and vehicle emission standards become significantly stricter, we may incur significant costs to obtain advanced energy technology to upgrade our vehicles or design new vehicles if we are able to at all, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
In addition, changes in classification of NEVs and license plate policies have affected, and may continue to affect our business. In certain cities in China, municipal governments impose quotas and lottery or bidding systems to limit the number of license plates issued to ICE vehicles, but exempt NEVs from these restrictions to incentivize the development of the NEV market. Nevertheless, our EREVs sold in Beijing and Shanghai are ineligible to enjoy the exemptions from the license plate restrictions available to the BEVs, which may have reduced the demand for EREVs in Beijing and Shanghai, two of the major markets for our vehicles, and the BEVs in Beijing are also affected by long queues for license plates. There is no assurance that other municipal governments will not adopt similar restrictive policies on EREVs or even BEVs as NEV penetration continues to rise. Changes in government policies on the classification of NEVs and license plates, at a local or central level, may materially and adversely affect the demand for our existing and future EREVs, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial conditions, and prospects.
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Furthermore, changes in government incentives or subsidies to support NEVs could adversely affect our business. Favorable government incentives and subsidies enjoyed by NEVs have been decreasing. China’s central government phased out the subsidies for purchasers of NEVs and the national-level subsidies for NEVs ceased as of the date of this annual report. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Favorable Government Policies Relating to NEVs in China—Government Subsidies for NEV Purchasers” for details. In December 2025, China’s central government introduced policies to encourage consumers to replace their old vehicles with new NEVs in 2026 by offering subsidies. For example, customers who replace their existing vehicles that are registered before specified dates are eligible to have subsidies when purchasing new NEVs. The local governments in China have also been implementing incentives and subsidy policies for consumers of NEVs for replacement purposes. However, if these favorable incentives and subsidies are scaled back in the future, consumer willingness to purchase NEVs may decline, which could negatively impact our vehicle sales.
We cannot assure you that any further changes in regulatory policies would be favorable to our business. Furthermore, any reduction, elimination, or discriminatory application of government subsidies and economic incentives because of policy changes, the reduced need for such subsidies and incentives due to the perceived success of NEVs, fiscal tightening, or other factors may affect government incentives or subsides and result in the diminished competitiveness of the NEV industry generally.
Our vehicles sales are also affected by government policies, such as tariffs on imported cars and removal of restriction on foreign ownership of NEV automakers and ICE passenger automakers. As a result, foreign NEV competitors and foreign ICE automakers could build wholly-owned manufacturing facilities in China without the need for a domestic joint venture partner. For example, Tesla has built a factory to manufacture electronic vehicles in Shanghai without a joint venture partner. These changes could intensify market competition and reduce our pricing advantage, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial conditions, and prospects.
The current tensions in international trade and rising international political tensions may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In recent years, there have been heightened trade and political tensions in international relations, particularly between the United States and China. These tensions have affected both diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries and created uncertainties to the international economy as a whole. Heightened tensions could reduce levels of trade, investments, technological exchanges, and other economic activities between major economies. The existing tensions and any further deterioration in the relationship between the United States and China and between other countries may have a negative impact on the general, economic, political, and social conditions around the globe, United States and China in particular, and thus adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Tensions between the United States and China have led to additional or higher tariffs imposed by the United States on products imported from China and restrictions on the sale of certain products into the United States, and such tensions have been intensifying since early 2025. China has responded by imposing, and proposing to impose, additional or higher tariffs on products imported from the United States, among other measures. These actions may materially and adversely affect international trade, global financial markets, and the stability of the global economic condition. As of the date of this annual report, there is still a high degree of uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariff policy, how it will be implemented, and how other countries will react to it. It also remains uncertain whether increased tariffs and trade tensions will create further disruptions and uncertainties to the international trade and lead to a downturn to the global economy.
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We depend on parts and components from suppliers, some of which are overseas. In addition, certain of our technologies, such as technologies relating to chips, artificial intelligence, and autonomous driving applications, could be subject to restrictions by the government of the United States and other jurisdictions in the future. Therefore, government policies restricting international trade and investments may affect the demand for our vehicles, impact the competitive position of our products, and prevent us from being able to sell products in certain countries.
If any new tariffs, legislation, or regulations are implemented, or if existing trade agreements are renegotiated, such changes could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In recent years, the U.S. Department of Commerce has introduced restrictions related to semiconductor, semiconductor manufacturing, supercomputer, and advanced computing items and end uses in China. These sanctions and export controls could adversely affect us and our supply chain, business partners, or customers. For example, on January 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security announced a final rule prohibiting certain transactions involving the sale or import of connected vehicles integrating specific pieces of hardware and software, or those components sold separately, with a sufficient nexus to the PRC or Russia. The term of “connected vehicles” is broadly defined to include most passenger vehicles with smart functions. The United States government has also increased the tariff rate on Chinese EVs from 25% to 100% since September 2024. In addition, the European Commission also increased the tariffs on Chinese EVs with individualized rates for different brands to up to 45.3% in October 2024. Although we do not currently export vehicles to the United States or the European Union, such restrictions in the United States, the European Union and elsewhere due to trade or political tensions may adversely affect us and our supply chain, business partners, or customers.
Export control measures may also affect our supply chain and technology development. The U.S. government has issued new rules that expanded the definition of military end use and eliminated the applicability of certain license exceptions for exports to countries including China, thereby expanding the export license requirements for U.S. companies to sell certain items to companies in China that have operations that could support military end uses. The U.S. government has also broadened the restrictions on the sale of goods manufactured outside the United States that are produced using certain controlled U.S.-origin technology or software to companies on a special list, and the restrictions on the use of U.S.-origin semiconductor manufacturing equipment that produces semiconductor devices for companies on the special list. In September 2025, the Bureau of Industry and Security released an interim final rule that extended export restrictions to non-U.S. entities owned 50% or more, directly or indirectly, individually or in aggregate, by listed parties designated on the Entity List, the Military End User List, and under certain OFAC sanctions programs. On October 30, 2025, following a series of negotiations aimed at reducing trade tensions between the United States and China, the United States announced a one-year pause of this interim final rule, which went into effect on November 10, 2025. As we depend on parts and components from suppliers, some of which are overseas, tariffs and export control measures by the PRC, U.S., or any other government or other trade tensions or unfavorable trade policies may affect the costs or performance of our products. For example, as the restrictions on the use of certain controlled U.S.-origin technology or software and other U.S. export control laws and regulations continue to expand and evolve, future U.S. export controls may materially affect or target some of our significant suppliers or customers, in which event our business may be affected if we fail to promptly secure alternative sources of supply or demand on terms acceptable to us.
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In addition, the United States government has taken efforts to limit the outbound U.S. investments to China. On August 9, 2023, the Biden administration of the United States released an executive order directing the Department of Treasury to create an outbound foreign direct investment review program that would require reporting on or (in more narrow circumstances) prohibit investments by U.S. persons involving “covered national security technologies and products.” On October 28, 2024, the Department of Treasury issued a final rule to implement the executive order, providing details on technical specifications and other aspects of the operative regulations, which came into effect on January 2, 2025. This is referred to as the Outbound Investment Rule. The Outbound Investment Rule imposes investment prohibitions and notification requirements on U.S. persons for a wide range of investments in entities associated with “countries of concern,” currently only China, that are engaged in activities relating to (i) semiconductors and microelectronics, (ii) quantum information technologies, and (iii) artificial intelligence systems. These entities are collectively defined as “Covered Foreign Persons.” U.S. persons subject to the Outbound Investment Rule are prohibited from making, or required to report, transactions involving Covered Foreign Persons that are defined as “covered transactions,” although the Outbound Investment Rule excludes some investments from the scope of covered transactions, including those in publicly traded securities. The Outbound Investment Rule introduces new hurdles and uncertainties for cross-border collaborations, investments, and funding opportunities of China-based issuers including us. We do not believe we would be defined as a Covered Foreign Person under the Outbound Investment Rule because we do not engage in a “covered activity” (as defined in the Outbound Investment Rule) or otherwise meet the definition of Covered Foreign Persons provided in the Outbound Investment Rule. However, there is no assurance that the U.S. Department of Treasury will take the same view as ours. If we were to be deemed a “Covered Foreign Person,” and if U.S. persons were to engage in a “covered transaction” (as defined under the Outbound Investment Rule) that involves the acquisition of our equity interests, such U.S. persons may need to make a notification pursuant to the Outbound Investment Rule. In addition, even though U.S. persons’ acquisitions of publicly traded securities (such as our ADSs) will be exempted from the scope of covered transactions under the Outbound Investment Rule, the rule could still limit our ability to raise capital or contingent equity capital from U.S. investors given that the relevant laws, regulations, and policies continue to evolve and we cannot rule out the possibility of being deemed a Covered Foreign Person in the future due to different views taken by the U.S. Department of Treasury, potential amendments to the Outbound Investment Rule or the introduction of additional regulations. For example, on February 21, 2025, the White House released President Trump’s “America First Investment Policy” memorandum, outlining several initiatives to incentivize investment from U.S. allies and partners while restricting investments involving “foreign adversaries,” including China. Among other things, the policy aims to expand the industry sectors covered by the U.S. outbound investment regulations and supplement outbound restrictions through the imposition of sanctions. On December 18, 2025, the Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security Act of 2025, or the COINS Act, was signed into law. The COINS Act will keep the core of the Outbound Investment Rule unchanged while expanding its scope and coverage in certain respects. The COINS Act will not take effect until the Treasury issues new regulations (subject to notice and comment), which it must do by March 13, 2027. As such, the Treasury may further amend or expand existing prohibitions and restrictions in accordance with the COINS Act. Any such expansion may further deepen the uncertainties for cross-border collaborations, investments, and funding opportunities for China-based issuers including us. If our ability to raise such capital is significantly and negatively affected, it could be detrimental to our business, financial condition and prospects, and our ADSs may significantly decline in value.
Rising political tensions could reduce levels of trades, investments, technological exchanges, and other economic activities across the globe, which would have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the demand of our vehicles, and thus negatively affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations.
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A global shortage in the supply of semiconductor chips and memory components may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Since the second half of 2025, the global semiconductor market has experienced significant supply tightness and price volatility in memory components, such as DRAM and NAND flash, which are essential for our smart cockpit and autonomous driving systems. This shortage is primarily driven by the surging demand for high-performance computing and AI infrastructure, which has severely strained global semiconductor production capacity and led to increased procurement costs. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to obtain sufficient quantity of memory components or other semiconductor components at reasonable costs, or at all. Any sustained shortage or price hike in these components could increase our cost of sales, compress our gross margins, and delay our vehicle production and deliveries.
In addition, escalating international geopolitical tensions could materially and adversely affect the supply of semiconductor chips. Our current high-end models rely on chips produced by NVIDIA to a great extent, and if the supply of NVIDIA chips were to be negatively affected by such geopolitical tensions, and we fail to find alternative suppliers in time, or at all, our production and deliveries could be materially disrupted. Furthermore, while we are developing proprietary chips intended for deployment in our next-generation high-end models, the contract manufacturing of such chips is dependent on a limited number of advanced foundries, and geopolitical tensions could disrupt our access to these foundry partners, delay production timelines, or otherwise impair our ability to bring self-developed chips to market as planned. See “—The current tensions in international trade and rising international political tensions may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.”
Many of the semiconductor components used in our vehicles are also purchased from a single source, although we reserve the flexibility to obtain components from multiple sources. Switching to alternative suppliers could be time consuming and costly. We note that similar supply disruptions have occurred in the past. For example, from October 2020 through the end of 2022, automotive semiconductor supply experienced a global shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which adversely affected our production and deliveries during that period.
We may be compelled to undertake product recalls or other actions, which could adversely affect our brand image, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.
We may be subject to adverse publicity, damage to our brand, and costs for recalls of our vehicles. We may at various times, voluntarily or involuntarily, initiate a recall if any of our vehicles, including any systems or parts sourced from our suppliers, prove to be defective or noncompliant with applicable laws and regulations. For example, we voluntarily recalled 11,411 of our 2024 Li MEGA in the third quarter of 2025 due to certain hardware-related safety risks. Such recalls, whether voluntary or involuntary, could involve significant expense and could adversely affect our brand image in our target markets, as well as our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.
We may face challenges in expanding our business and operations internationally and our ability to conduct business in international markets may be adversely affected by legal, regulatory, political, and economic risks.
We face challenges and risks associated with expanding our business and operations globally into new geographic markets. Government policies restricting international trade and investments may affect the demand for our vehicles, impact the competitive position of our products, and prevent us from being able to sell vehicles in certain countries or significantly increase our costs. For example, in the EU market, the European Commission concluded its anti-subsidy investigations and increased tariffs on Chinese EVs with individualized rates for five years to up to 45.3% in October 2024. These countervailing duties may be extended for successive five-year periods following an expiry review. The European Union anti-subsidy investigations, the resulting tariffs, and other similar investigations and tariffs in international markets may adversely affect the imports of BEVs from China, such as ours, into international markets and negatively affect our competitiveness if we decide to enter into the EU market.
Similar tariffs or other trade policies that negatively affect us in other jurisdictions may have a negative impact on us in a similar way. In the U.S. market, on January 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security announced a final rule prohibiting certain transactions involving the sale or import of connected vehicles. In addition, in September 2024, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative increased the tariffs for Chinese EVs from 25% to 100%. In April 2025, President Trump imposed 10% tariff on all countries and individualized higher tariff rates on a large number of countries, including a 34% additional tariff on China which was later increased by another 50% in response to China’s imposition of additional tariff against the United States. The increased tariffs further impose additional challenges and constraints on any future international expansion to the United States we may undertake, although we do not currently sell vehicles in the United States.
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New geographic markets may have competitive conditions, user preferences, and discretionary spending patterns that are more difficult to predict or satisfy than our existing markets. In certain markets, we have relatively little operating experience and may not benefit from any first-to-market advantages or otherwise succeed. We also may face protectionist policies that could, among other things, hinder our ability to execute our business strategies and place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to domestic companies. Local companies may have a substantial competitive advantage because of their greater understanding of, and focus on, the local users, as well as their more established local brand names, requiring us to build brand awareness in that market through greater investments in advertising and promotional activities. International expansion may also require significant capital investment, which could strain our resources and adversely impact current performance, while adding complexity to our current operations. We are subject to the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which we operate. If any of our overseas operations, or our affiliates or agents, violate such laws, we could become subject to sanctions or other penalties, which could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, we may face operational issues that could materially and adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations, if we fail to address certain factors including, but not limited to, the following:
● lack of acceptance of our products and services, and challenges of localizing our offerings to appeal to local tastes;
● conforming our products to regulatory and safety requirements and charging and other electric infrastructures;
● failure to attract and retain capable talents with international perspectives who can effectively manage and operate local businesses;
● challenges in identifying appropriate local business partners and establishing and maintaining good working relationships with them;
● inability to control the scope of destinations where our vehicles are sold through secondary sales;
● availability, reliability, and security of international payment systems and logistics infrastructure;
● challenges of maintaining efficient and consolidated internal systems, including technology infrastructure, and of achieving customization and integration of these systems with the other parts of our technology platform;
● challenges in replicating or adapting our company policies and procedures to operating environments different from that of China;
● national security policies that restrict our ability to utilize technologies that are deemed by local authorities to pose a threat to their national security;
● the need for increased resources to manage regulatory compliance across our international businesses;
● compliance with privacy laws and data security laws and compliance costs across different legal systems;
● heightened restrictions and barriers on the transfer of data between different jurisdictions;
● differing, complex, and potentially adverse customs, import and export laws, tax rules and regulations or other trade barriers or restrictions related compliance obligations and consequences of non-compliance, and any new developments in these areas;
● business licensing or certification requirements of the local markets;
● exchange rate fluctuations;
● political instability and general economic or political conditions in particular jurisdictions, including territorial or trade disputes, war, and terrorism; and
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● significant capital required for entering into new geographical markets, including cost of promoting our brand in the new markets, building sales and services networks.
Failure to manage these risks and challenges could adversely affect our ability to expand our business and operations internationally as well as materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our distribution model is different from the currently predominant distribution model for automakers, and its long-term viability is unproven.
Our distribution model is not common in the automotive industry today, particularly in China. We own and operate our distribution network through which we conduct vehicle sales directly to users rather than through dealerships. This model of vehicle distribution is relatively new and its long-term effectiveness is unproven, especially in China. It thus subjects us to substantial risks as it requires, in the aggregate, significant expenditures and provides for slower expansion of our distribution and sales systems than the traditional dealership system. For example, we will not be able to utilize long established sales channels developed through a dealership system to increase our sales volume. Moreover, we will be competing with automakers with well established distribution channels. Our expansion of our network of retail stores, showrooms and delivery and servicing centers may not fully meet users’ expectations. Our success will depend in large part on our ability to effectively develop and operate our own sales channels and marketing strategies. Implementing our business model is subject to numerous significant challenges, including obtaining permits and approvals from, or filing with, government authorities, and we may not be successful in addressing these challenges.
We have a limited operating history in BEV production and sales, and face significant challenges as a new entrant into the BEV market.
We were founded in 2015 and have produced EREVs since November 2019, and we commenced delivery of our first BEV only in March 2024. There is limited historical basis for making judgments on the demand for our BEVs or our ability to develop, manufacture, and deliver BEVs, our ability to expand our charging network to meet the demand of our HPC BEVs, or our ability to maintain continued profitability in the future. It is difficult to predict our future revenues and appropriately budget for our expenses, and we may have limited insight into trends that may emerge and affect our business, particularly when we introduce all new models or adopt technologies where we have less experience, such as BEVs or BEV technologies. You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and challenges that we face as a new entrant into the BEV market, including with respect to our ability to continually advance our HPC BEV technologies, develop and manufacture safe, reliable, and quality BEVs that appeal to users, achieve vehicle delivery and servicing in a large volume, build a well-recognized and respected brand cost-effectively, expand our BEV lineup, navigate the evolving regulatory environment, improve and maintain our operating efficiency, manage supply chain effectively, adapt to changing market conditions, including technological developments and changes in competitive landscape, and manage our growth effectively. We may adjust our strategies and plans from time to time to remain competitive as a new entrant into the BEV market. If we fail to address any or all of these risks and challenges, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
Our ability to develop, manufacture, and deliver automobiles of high quality and appeal to users, on schedule, and on a large scale is unproven and still evolving.
The sustainability of our business depends, in large part, on our ability to timely execute our plan to develop, manufacture, and deliver on a large scale automobiles of high quality and appeal to users. Our vehicles are produced in our own manufacturing bases, and the production volume can be increased with our increased efficiency and technological capabilities. However, our production capacity may not be sufficient to meet the future demand of our vehicles. To date we have relatively limited automobile manufacturing experience to balance production volume and vehicle quality and appeal, especially with respect to BEVs, and therefore cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve our targeted production volume of commercially viable vehicles on a timely basis, or at all.
Our continued development, manufacturing, and delivery of automobiles of high quality to achieve our targeted production volume are and will be subject to risks, including with respect to:
● lack of necessary funding;
● delays or disruptions in our supply chain;
● delays in the research and development of technologies necessary for our vehicles;
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● quality control deficiencies;
● compliance with environmental, workplace safety, and other regulations; and
● cost overruns.
Historically, automakers are expected to periodically introduce new and improved models to stay abreast of the market. To remain competitive, we may be required to introduce new vehicle models and perform facelifts on existing vehicle models earlier or more frequently than is originally planned. We cannot assure you that facelifts on our existing models or any future models we launch will appeal to the users as we expect or that any introduction of new models or facelifts will not affect the sales of existing models.
Furthermore, we rely mostly on third-party suppliers for the provision and development of many of the key components and materials used in our vehicles. To the extent our suppliers experience any difficulties in providing us with or developing necessary components, we could experience delays in delivering vehicles. Any delay in the development, manufacturing, and delivery of our existing or future models, or in performing facelifts to existing models, could subject us to user complaints and materially and adversely affect our reputation, demand for our vehicles, and our growth prospects. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We currently and in the foreseeable future depend on revenues generated from a relatively limited number of vehicle models.
Although we already have established a multi-model product line, we currently and in the foreseeable future depend substantially on the sales and success of a relatively limited number of vehicle models. Our current product line mostly comprises large and full-size SUVs with similar exterior designs and an MPV, which may not appeal to certain consumers. To the extent our product variety, design, and cycles do not meet consumer expectations, or cannot be achieved on our projected timelines and cost and volume targets, our future sales may be adversely affected. Given that for the foreseeable future our business will depend on a relatively limited number of vehicle models, to the extent a particular model is not timely launched or well-received by the market, our sales volume could be materially and adversely affected, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our vehicles mainly focus on the Chinese market in the foreseeable future. If the demand for our vehicles significantly decreases due to a decline in consumer spending power in China, a reduction in the number of our potential customers or users, mismatched market positioning, or other reasons, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, our current pricing model may not be as effective as intended. While we are providing more personalized configurations in our recent vehicle models, we generally provide premium and technology features that are typically offered as costly add-ons by our competitors as standard in our vehicles to save users’ time and money while alleviating our burden in production, sales, and support. However, we cannot assure you that such endeavors will succeed. Users may prefer more personalized features based on diverse tastes and needs. In addition, our pricing range, which targets the premium segment of the market, could still exceed certain users’ budget significantly. To the extent that we are unable to meet various user needs in promoting current pricing model for our vehicles, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
We continue to be subject to risks associated with EREVs.
We cannot assure you that EREVs will continue to be accepted by the market. Moreover, our business and future results of operations will continue to depend in part on our ability to develop our EREV technologies and improve the performance and efficiency in a cost-effective and timely manner. Our research and development efforts may not be sufficient to adapt to changes in the EREV technologies as well as developments in other NEV technologies, including BEV technologies, which may reduce the competitive advantages of EREV technologies. As technologies evolve, we plan to continue to upgrade or adapt our EREVs and introduce new models with the latest EREV technologies. This will require us to invest resources in research and development and to cooperate effectively on new designs with our suppliers, develop actionable insights from data analysis and user feedback, and respond effectively to technological changes and policy and regulatory developments.
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As a pioneer to successfully commercialize EREVs in China, while we have accumulated experience in volume production of EREVs, we currently face competition from other automakers that have successfully commercialized EREVs as well. Notably, since 2024, a number of other automakers entered into the EREV market by launching vehicle models with similar functionality or features with our EREVs, some of which are priced at RMB200,000 or above and directly compete with our vehicles. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain efficient and automated manufacturing capabilities and processes, or reliable sources of component supply that will enable us to meet the quality, price, design, engineering, and production standards. In addition, increasing competition in the EREV market in China, such as pricing strategies conducted by our competitors, may cause us to experience lower vehicle sales and slower inventory turnover, which may result in downward price pressure and may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
We also believe that user confidence in EREVs is essential in promoting our vehicles. As a result, consumers will be less likely to purchase our EREVs if they are not convinced of the technical and functional superiority of EREVs. Any defects in or significant malfunctioning of the range extension system, or any negative perceptions of EREVs with or without any grounds, may weaken consumer confidence in EREVs, cause safety concerns among consumers, and negatively impact our brand name, financial condition, and results of operations. Similarly, suppliers and other third parties will be less likely to invest time and resources in developing business relationships with us if they are not convinced that our business will succeed.
Our research and development efforts may not yield the results as expected.
As a leading technology-driven company in the NEV industry and a first mover in the field of embodied AI, we heavily rely on research and development to establish and strengthen our market position. We develop electric vehicle technologies, such as next-generation EREV powertrain system, 5C battery, high-voltage platform, ultra-fast charging technologies, autonomous driving technologies, next-generation intelligent cockpit, proprietary AI inference chips, operating systems, and computing platforms. In 2023, 2024 and 2025, our research and development expenses amounted to RMB10.6 billion, RMB11.1 billion and RMB11.3 billion (US$1.6 billion), respectively. Our research and development expenses accounted for 8.5%, 7.7% and 10.1% of our total revenues in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. As technologies evolve, we plan to upgrade or adopt our vehicles and introduce new models with latest technologies, which will require us to invest resources in research and development. Therefore, we expect that our research and development expenses will continue to be significant. As research and development activities are inherently uncertain, we cannot assure you that we will continue to achieve desirable developments from our research and development activities and successfully commercialize such developments. Consequently, our significant research and development efforts may not yield the results as expected. If our research and development efforts fail to keep up with the latest technological developments, we could suffer a decline in our competitive position, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Orders for our vehicles may be canceled by users despite their deposit payment and online confirmation.
Our users may cancel their orders for many reasons out of our control, and we have experienced cancelation of orders in the past. In addition, users may terminate their orders even after they have paid deposits and waited for 24 hours upon which their orders automatically become confirmed orders and the deposits become non-refundable. The potentially long wait from reservation to delivery could also impact user decisions on whether to ultimately make a purchase, due to potential changes in preferences, competitive developments, and other factors. If we encounter delays in the deliveries of our existing or future vehicle models, a significant number of orders may be canceled. As a result, we cannot assure you that orders will not be canceled and will ultimately result in the final purchase, delivery, and sale of the vehicles. Such cancelations could harm our business, brand image, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Our future growth is dependent on the consumer demand for NEVs.
The demand for our vehicles will highly depend upon consumers’ demand for and adoption of NEVs, including EREVs and BEVs. The market for NEVs is still rapidly evolving, characterized by rapidly changing technologies, intense competition, evolving government regulation and industry standards, and changing consumer demands and behaviors.
Other factors that may influence the adoption of NEVs include:
● perceptions about vehicle safety in general, in particular safety issues that may be attributed to the use of advanced technology, including BEV and EREV technologies, regenerative braking systems, and autonomous driving;
● perceptions about NEV quality, safety, design, performance, and cost, especially if adverse events or accidents occur that are linked to the quality or safety of NEVs, whether or not such vehicles are produced by us or other automakers;
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● concerns about electric grid capacity and reliability and the availability of other supporting infrastructure;
● the availability of servicing for NEVs;
● the actual or perceived deterioration of battery capacity over time;
● the environmental consciousness of consumers;
● access to charging stations and cost of charging vehicles;
● the availability of tax and other governmental incentives to purchase and operate NEVs or future regulation requiring increased use of nonpolluting vehicles;
● improvements in the fuel economy of the ICE vehicles; and
● macroeconomic factors.
Any of the factors described above may change the consumer demand for our vehicles, including causing current or prospective users not to purchase our vehicles. If the market for NEVs, and HPC BEVs in particular, does not develop as we expect or develops more slowly than we expect, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects will be affected.
Our future growth is dependent on the consumer demand for passenger vehicles, the prospects of which are subject to many uncertainties.
China is currently one of the world’s major automotive markets, especially in terms of passenger vehicle sales volume. China’s passenger vehicle market experienced fluctuations previously, and we cannot predict how the consumer demand for passenger vehicles will develop in the future. Amid the market slowdown, certain automakers operating in China have suffered declining performance or financial difficulties. China’s passenger vehicle market may be affected by many factors, including general economic conditions in China, the urbanization rate of China’s population, the growth of disposable household income, the costs of new automobiles, the development of autonomous driving and robotaxi technologies, the trade tensions and other governmental protectionist measures, as well as taxes and incentives related to automobile purchases. If the consumer demand for passenger vehicles in China does not recover as expected, or at all, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We may be unable to adequately control the costs associated with our operations.
We have devoted significant capital to developing and growing our business, including developing and manufacturing our vehicles, purchasing land and equipment, constructing our manufacturing bases, procuring required raw materials, and building our sales and servicing infrastructure. We expect to further incur significant costs that will impact our profitability, including research and development expenses as we roll out new models and improve existing models and continue to invest in autonomous driving technologies, smart space systems and other front-end technologies such as electric powertrain, expenditures to expand our retail stores, expenditures in the expansion of our manufacturing capacities, additional operating costs and expenses for production ramp-up, raw material and auto parts procurement costs, expenditures to expand our HPC network, and selling expenses as we build our brand and market our vehicles. In particular, the prices for raw materials such as aluminum and steel fluctuate upon factors beyond our control, and could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Substantial increases in the prices for our raw materials such as aluminum and steel would increase our cost of revenue and our operating expenses, and could reduce our margins. Furthermore, currency fluctuations, tariffs, or shortages in petroleum and other economic or political conditions may result in significant increases in freight charges and raw material costs. In addition, we may lose control over the increase of costs in connection with our services including after-sale services. Our ability to become profitable in the future will not only depend on our ability to successfully market our vehicles and other products and services but also to control our costs. If we are unable to design, develop, manufacture, market, sell, and service our vehicles and provide services in a cost-efficient manner, our margins, profitability, and prospects would be materially and adversely affected.
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A global shortage in the supply of battery packs may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our vehicles currently make use of lithium-ion battery cells, which we purchase from third-party suppliers. The prices for the battery cells fluctuate, and their available supply may be unstable, depending on market conditions and global demand for the battery cells and the materials used in the battery cells, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. In recent periods, especially during the latter half of 2025, the industry has experienced a structural shortage of advanced, high-power battery cells due to the rapid proliferation of ultra-fast charging NEVs and a sudden spike in demand for high-performance battery materials. Any increase in the price of battery packs, regardless of whether resulting from the foregoing factors, will lead to higher production costs and lower vehicle sales gross margins, which in turn may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Notably, since the latter half of 2025, the industry-wide shortage of advanced battery cells, driven by surging demand for long-range NEVs and infrastructure deployment, has created significant challenges for our production ramp-up. Such supply-side constraints, if prolonged, could lead to increased procurement costs or delays in fulfilling our order backlog. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to obtain sufficient amount of battery packs at a reasonable cost. For example, starting in late 2025, we have experienced significant delivery delays for our Li i6 model due to supply constraints for certain core components, particularly the battery cells. Our business is dependent on the continued supply of battery packs used in our vehicles. If any of our battery pack suppliers, in particular CATL which supplies a majority of our battery packs (including the specialized cells for our 5C super charging BEV models), becomes unable to meet our demand on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be required to switch to alternative suppliers. Any disruption in the supply of battery packs from any of these battery pack supplies could disrupt production of our vehicles until such time as we find an alternative supplier. We cannot assure you that we would be able to successfully retain alternative suppliers on a timely basis, on acceptable terms or at all. If we fail to find alternative suppliers in time, our production and deliveries could be materially disrupted, which may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, the price of battery packs may also rise at a faster pace in connection with the global supply shortage and the increased prices for the materials used in the battery cells, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
If we fail to effectively manage our inventory, our financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
We are exposed to inventory risks that may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and prospects as a result of increased competition, seasonality, new model launches, rapid changes in vehicle life cycles and pricing, defective vehicles, changes in consumer demand and consumer spending patterns, and other factors. In order to operate our business effectively and meet our users’ demands and expectations, we must maintain a certain level of inventory to avoid overstocking or understocking issues and ensure timely delivery. We determine our level of inventory based on our experience and assessment of user demands and number of orders from users.
However, forecasts are inherently uncertain, and the demand for our vehicles may change between the order date and the projected delivery date. If we fail to accurately forecast the demand or idle inventory of raw materials, we may experience inventory obsolescence and inventory shortage risk. Inventory levels in excess of demand may result in inventory write-downs or write-offs and the sale of excess inventory at discounted prices, which could adversely affect our profitability. We recognized RMB236.7 million, RMB335.9 million and RMB243.0 million (US$34.8 million) in write-downs of inventory to net realizable value and losses on inventory purchase commitments in cost of sales in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. In addition, if we underestimate the demand for our vehicles, we may not be able to manufacture a sufficient number of vehicles to meet such unanticipated demand, which could result in delays in the delivery of our vehicles or even cancelation of orders and harm our reputation.
Any of the above may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. As we plan to continue to expand our vehicle offerings, we may continue to face challenges in effectively managing our inventory.
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Our industry and its technology are rapidly evolving and may be subject to unforeseen changes. Breakthroughs in other NEV technologies or improvements in the ICE technologies may materially and adversely affect the demand for our vehicles.
We operate in the China automotive market, including the rapidly evolving NEV market, which may not become what we currently anticipate. We may be unable to keep up with changes in China’s NEV technology and, as a result, our competitiveness may suffer. Our research and development efforts may not be sufficient to adapt to changes in the NEV technology. As technologies change, we plan to upgrade or adapt our vehicles and introduce new models in order to provide vehicles with the latest technology, which could involve substantial costs and lower our return on investment for existing vehicles. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete effectively with other NEVs and integrate the latest technology into our vehicles against the backdrop of our rapidly evolving industry. Even if we are able to keep pace with changes in technology and develop new models, our prior models could become obsolete more quickly than expected, potentially reducing our return on investment.
Developments in new energy technology, such as advanced diesel, ethanol, fuel cells, hydrogen energy, or compressed natural gas, or improvements in the fuel economy of ICEs may materially and adversely affect our business and prospects in ways that we do not currently anticipate. Furthermore, any revolutionary breakthroughs in battery technology, including those that significantly reduce charging time or enhance the range of BEVs on a single charge, particularly the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries, could offer superior energy density and safety profiles. Any failure by us to successfully react to changes in existing technology could materially harm our competitive position and may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If we fail to manage our growth effectively, we may not be able to market and sell our vehicles successfully.
We have expanded our operations, and as we ramp up our production, significant expansion will be required, especially in connection with potential increases in sales, providing our users with high-quality servicing, expansion of our retail, delivery, and servicing center network, and managing different models of vehicles. Our future operating results depend to a large extent on our ability to manage this expansion and growth successfully. Risks that we face in undertaking this expansion include, among others:
● managing our supply chain to support fast business growth;
● managing a larger organization with a greater number of employees in different divisions;
● controlling expenses and investments in anticipation of expanded operations;
● establishing or expanding design, manufacturing, sales, and service facilities while ensuring the quality of our vehicles;
● constructing or expanding charging network for our vehicles;
● navigating complex and evolving regulatory environments, geopolitical tensions, and localized consumer preferences as we execute our international expansion strategy;
● researching and developing AI technology and the subsequent commercialization;
● managing substantial operational costs associated with the development of AI-related technologies;
● implementing and enhancing administrative infrastructure, systems, and processes; and
● addressing new markets and potentially unforeseen challenges as they arise.
Any failure to manage our growth effectively could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
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We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules and, as a result, may rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies.
We are a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because Mr. Xiang Li, our chairman and chief executive officer, beneficially owns more than 50% of our total voting power. For so long as we remain a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely on, and may rely on, certain exemptions from corporate governance rules, including (i) an exemption from having the majority of our board of directors composed of independent directors, (ii) having a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors, and (iii) having a nominating and corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. As a result, you may not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements. Only four of our eight directors are independent directors and Mr. Xiang Li, who is not an independent director, is a member of our compensation committee.
Our products and services, including those provided through third parties, may not be generally accepted by our users. If we are unable to provide or arrange satisfactory products or services for our users, our business and reputation may be materially and adversely affected.
In addition to our vehicles, we cannot assure you that our products and services or our efforts to engage with our users using both our online and offline channels will be successful, which could affect our user satisfaction and marketing and hence our revenues. Moreover, we are unable to ensure the availability or quality of our products and services, including those provided by third parties, such as servicing, repairment, road assistance, vehicle logistics, and automobile financing and insurance. If any of these become unavailable or inadequate, our users’ experience may be adversely affected, which in turn may materially and adversely affect our business and reputation.
While our vehicles can be serviced at our delivery and servicing centers, some of the services will be carried out through authorized body and paint shops. Both our own delivery and servicing centers and authorized body and paint shops have limited experience in servicing NEVs. We cannot assure you that our service arrangements will adequately address the service requirements of our users to their satisfaction, or that we and our authorized body and paint shops will have sufficient resources to meet these service requirements in a timely manner as the volume of vehicles we deliver increases.
In addition, if we are unable to roll out and establish a widespread service network through a combination of our delivery and servicing centers and authorized body and paint shops, user satisfaction could be adversely affected. For instance, our vehicles may be resold to certain jurisdictions where we have not officially launched our delivery and servicing centers or authorized body and paint shops. The lack of such services could pose challenges for our overseas users, potentially adversely affecting their overall satisfaction for our vehicles. This, in turn, could materially and adversely affect our sales, results of operations, and prospects.
We may become subject to product liability claims, which could harm our financial condition and liquidity if we are not able to successfully defend or insure against such claims.
We may become subject to product liability claims, which could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. The automotive industry experiences significant product liability claims and we face inherent risk of exposure to claims in the event our vehicles do not perform as expected or malfunction resulting in property damage, personal injury, or death. Our risks in this area are particularly pronounced given we have limited field experience of our vehicles. In addition, we may be subject to product liability claims for defective components and parts that are manufactured by our third-party suppliers. A successful product liability claim against us could require us to pay substantial monetary compensation. Moreover, a product liability claim could generate substantial negative publicity about our vehicles and business and inhibit or prevent commercialization of our future vehicles, which would materially and adversely affect our brand, business, prospects, and results of operations. Any insurance coverage might not be sufficient to cover all potential product liability claims. Any lawsuit seeking significant monetary damages may materially and adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations. Furthermore, as our overseas sales increase, our vehicles sold abroad may also be subject to recall risks or other product liability issues, and we have limited experience in addressing such matters in overseas markets.
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Our vehicles are subject to motor vehicle standards and the failure to satisfy such mandated safety standards would materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
All vehicles sold must comply with various standards of the market where the vehicles are sold. Our vehicles must meet or exceed all mandated safety standards in China. Rigorous testing and the use of approved materials and equipment are among the requirements for achieving these standards. Vehicles must pass various tests and undergo a certification process and be affixed with the China Compulsory Certification before receiving delivery from the factory, being sold, or being used in any commercial activity, and such certification is also subject to periodic renewal. Furthermore, the PRC government authorities carry out supervision and scheduled or unscheduled inspection of certified vehicles on a regular basis. In the event that our certification fails to be renewed upon expiry, a certified vehicle has a defect resulting in quality or safety accidents, or consistent failure of certified vehicles to comply with certification requirements is discovered during follow-up inspections, the certification may be suspended or even revoked. With effect from the date of revocation or during suspension of the certification, any vehicle that fails to satisfy the requirements for certification may not continue to be delivered, sold, imported, or used in any commercial activity. Failure by us to satisfy motor vehicle standards would materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our vehicles currently make use of lithium-ion battery cells, which have been observed to catch fire or vent smoke and flame.
The battery packs that we produce make use of lithium-ion cells, which we purchase from third-party suppliers. On rare occasions, lithium-ion cells can rapidly release the energy they contain by venting smoke and flames in a manner that can ignite nearby materials as well as other lithium-ion cells. We have implemented a battery management system that automatically monitors temperature, power output, and other status of the battery pack, including a thermal management system that keeps the temperature of the battery pack within an ideal range. However, our vehicles or their battery packs may still experience failure, which could subject us to lawsuits, product recalls, or redesign efforts, all of which would be time-consuming and expensive. In addition, negative public perceptions regarding the suitability of lithium-ion cells for automotive use or any future incident involving lithium-ion cells such as a vehicle or other fire, even if not involving our vehicles, could seriously harm our business.
In addition, we store lithium-ion cells at our facilities. Any mishandling of battery cells may cause disruption to the operation of our facilities. While we have implemented safety procedures related to the handling of the cells, a safety issue or fire related to the cells could disrupt our operations. Such damage or injury could lead to adverse publicity and potentially a safety recall. Moreover, any failure of a competitor’s electric vehicle or energy storage product may cause indirect adverse publicity for us and our products. Such adverse publicity could negatively affect our brand and harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
We are subject to risks associated with autonomous driving technology.
Our vehicles are currently equipped with autonomous driving features realized through NOA functions, and we continue to develop autonomous driving technology for our vehicles. We rely on third-party suppliers for certain components used in our autonomous driving system, and any defects of or quality issues with those components could result in actual or perceived quality issues with our vehicles. We plan to enhance and expand our vehicles’ level of autonomous driving capabilities through ongoing research and development.
As we develop and equip our vehicles with autonomous driving technology, we are facing risks associated with autonomous driving as an evolving and complex technology, including the following:
● the autonomous driving technology is still evolving and, at present, still serving as a supportive assistant in nature. The safety of autonomous driving technology depends, to a great extent, on proper user operations. Users may be unfamiliar with our autonomous driving system or misuse it, leading to potential safety risks;
● any flaws or misuse of autonomous driving technologies in general, whether actual or perceived, intended or inadvertent, committed by other automakers or third parties, could result in negative publicity on autonomous driving technology in general, erode customers’ confidence in autonomous driving technology or EVs, and/or invite more regulatory scrutiny, thereby create more uncertainties for the adoption of autonomous driving technology and the popularity of our vehicles;
● while we are continuously optimizing our autonomous driving technology, the technology is still in progress and is yet to achieve wide market acceptance. There can be no assurance that our autonomous driving technology will be able to predict or detect all potential issues during driving. Any incremental changes in our autonomous driving software and hardware may result in safety issues; and
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● the laws and regulations on autonomous driving are still evolving, and we could be subject to liability, government scrutiny, and further regulation. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Autonomous Driving.”
Any of the foregoing could result in accidents and materially and adversely affect our brand image, market share, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.
We may face challenges in building our charging network.
We have started to build an HPC network to achieve a superior charging experience. As of December 31, 2025, we had built 3,907 super charging stations in operation equipped with 21,651 charging stalls in China. However, we have limited experience in the actual provision of our charging network to users and providing these services is subject to challenges, including the challenges associated with sorting out the logistics of rolling out our network and teams in appropriate areas, inadequate capacity or over capacity of our services in certain areas, and the potential for lack of user acceptance of our charging stations. In addition, although the Chinese government has supported the roll - out of a public charging network, the current number of charging infrastructures is generally considered to be insufficient. We also face uncertainties with regard to governmental support and public infrastructure, including whether we can obtain and maintain access to sufficient charging infrastructure, whether we can obtain any required permits and land use rights and complete any required filings, and whether the government support in this area may discontinue. Furthermore, we may be subject to illegal activities perpetrated against us and our charging stalls, which may disrupt our operations and damage user confidence in our vehicles and service offerings, thereby negatively affect our business and results of operations.
Furthermore, given our limited experience in building a charging network, there could be unanticipated challenges which may hinder our ability to provide our charging solutions or make the provision of our solutions costlier than anticipated. To the extent we are unable to meet user expectations or experience difficulties in providing our power solutions, our reputation and business may be materially and adversely affected.
Any unauthorized control or manipulation of our vehicle systems could result in loss of confidence in us and our vehicles and harm our business.
Our vehicles contain complex information technology systems. For example, our vehicles are designed with built-in data connectivity to accept and install periodic remote updates from us to improve or update the functionality of our vehicles. We have designed, implemented, and tested security measures intended to prevent unauthorized access to our information technology networks, our vehicles, and their systems. However, hackers may attempt in the future, to gain unauthorized access to modify, alter, and use our networks, vehicles, and systems to gain control of, or to change, our vehicles’ functionality, user interface, and performance characteristics, or to gain access to data stored in or generated by the vehicles. Vulnerabilities could be identified in the future and our remediation efforts may not be successful. Any unauthorized access to or control of our vehicles or their systems or any loss of data could result in legal claims or proceedings against us. In addition, regardless of their veracity, reports of unauthorized access to our vehicles, their systems, or data, as well as other factors that may result in the perception that our vehicles, their systems, or data are capable of being “hacked,” could negatively affect our brand and harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Our results of operations may vary significantly from period to period due to the seasonality of our business and fluctuations in our operating costs.
Our results of operations may vary significantly from period to period due to many factors, including seasonal factors that may affect the demand for our vehicles. The sales volume of passenger vehicles typically declines over January and February, particularly around the Chinese New Year, gradually climbs over spring and summer, and typically culminates in the fourth quarter of the calendar year. Our limited operating history makes it difficult for us to judge the exact nature or extent of the seasonality of our business. Also, any unusually severe weather conditions in certain regions may impact demand for our vehicles. Our results of operations could also suffer if we do not achieve revenue consistent with our expectations for this seasonal demand because many of our expenses are based on anticipated levels of annual revenue.
We also expect our period-to-period results of operations to vary based on our operating costs, which we anticipate will increase significantly in future periods as we, among other things, design, develop, and manufacture our existing and new models, build and equip new manufacturing bases to produce such components, open new retail stores, showrooms and delivery centers, increase our sales and marketing activities, and increase our general and administrative functions to support our growing operations.
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As a result of these factors, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and that these comparisons cannot be relied upon as indicators of future performance. Moreover, our results of operations may not meet expectations of equity research analysts or investors. If this occurs, the trading price of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs could fluctuate substantially either suddenly or over time.
Expansion or conversion of our manufacturing facilities and establishment of new manufacturing facilities may be subject to delays, disruptions, cost overruns, or may not produce expected benefits.
We may expand or convert our existing manufacturing facilities and establish new manufacturing facilities for production ramp-up of our current and future models with better efficiency and technological capabilities. The expansion or conversions could experience delays or other difficulties, and will require significant capital. We may encounter quality, process, or other issues when changing our single-shift production arrangement to a two-shift production arrangement. Moreover, we could encounter similar or additional risks as we establish and develop new manufacturing facilities in the future, in addition to our existing manufacturing facility. Any failure to complete the expansion of our manufacturing facilities on schedule and within budget could adversely affect our financial condition, production capacity, and results of operations.
Under PRC laws, construction projects are subject to broad and strict government supervision and approval procedures, including but not limited to project approvals and filings, construction land and project planning approvals, disease control approvals, environment protection approvals, the pollution discharge permits, drainage license, work safety approvals, fire protection approvals, and the completion of inspection and acceptance by the authorities. Some of the construction projects carried out by us are undergoing necessary approval procedures as required by law, which requires the approval of the municipal government. As a result, the entities operating such construction projects may be subject to administrative supervision, fines, or the suspension of use of such projects. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our business operations.
Our business plans require a significant amount of capital. In addition, our future capital needs may require us to issue additional equity or debt securities that may dilute our shareholders or introduce covenants that may restrict our operations or our ability to pay dividends.
We will need significant capital to, among other things, conduct research and development, expand our production capacity, and roll out our retail stores, showrooms and delivery and servicing centers. As we ramp up our production capacity and operations, we may also require significant capital to maintain our property, plant, and equipment and such costs may be greater than what we currently anticipate. We expect that our level of capital expenditures will be significantly affected by consumer demand for our products and services. The fact that we have a limited operating history means we have limited historical data on the demand for our products and services. As a result, our future capital requirements may be uncertain and actual capital requirements may be different from what we currently anticipate. We may seek equity or debt financing to finance a portion of our capital expenditures. Such financing might not be available to us in a timely manner or on terms that are acceptable, or at all. If we cannot obtain sufficient capital on acceptable terms, our business, financial condition, and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
Our ability to obtain the necessary financing to carry out our business plan is subject to a number of factors, including general market conditions and investor acceptance of our business plan. These factors may make the timing, amount, and terms and conditions of such financing unattractive or unavailable to us. If we are unable to raise sufficient funds, we will have to significantly reduce our spending, delay, or cancel our planned activities, or substantially change our corporate structure. We may have shareholders’ deficit balance in the future, which may limit our ability to obtain financing and materially and adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition. We might not be able to obtain any funding or service any of the debts we incurred, and we might not have sufficient resources to conduct our business as projected, both of which could mean that we would be forced to curtail or discontinue our operations.
In addition, our future capital needs and other business reasons could require us to issue additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The issuance of additional equity or equity-linked securities could dilute our shareholders and our memorandum and articles of association do not contain any anti-dilution provision. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in an increase in debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations or our ability to incur additional indebtedness, to pay dividends to our shareholders, to repurchase our share capital, or to make certain acquisitions or investments. Moreover, we may be subject to covenants requiring us to satisfy certain financial tests and ratios, and our ability to satisfy such covenants may be affected by events out of our control.
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We retain certain information about our users, which may subject us to user concerns or various privacy and consumer protection laws.
We use our vehicles’ electronic systems to log, with necessary permission, certain information about each vehicle’s use in order to aid us in vehicle diagnostics and maintenance and repair, as well as to help us customize and optimize the driving and riding experiences. Our users may object to the use of this data, which may harm our business. Possession and use of our users’ driving behavior and data in conducting our business may subject us to legislative and regulatory burdens in China and other jurisdictions that could require notification of data breach, restrict our use of such information, and hinder our ability to acquire new users or market to existing users. If users allege that we have improperly released or disclosed their sensitive personal information, we could face legal claims and reputational harm. We may incur significant expenses to comply with privacy, consumer protection, and security standards and protocols imposed by laws, regulations, industry standards, or contractual obligations. If third parties improperly obtain and use sensitive personal information of our users, we may be required to expend significant resources to resolve these problems.
Our business is subject to various evolving laws and regulations regarding data privacy and cybersecurity. Failure of cybersecurity and data privacy concerns could subject us to penalties, damage our reputation and brand, and harm our business and results of operations.
We face significant challenges with respect to cybersecurity and data privacy, including the storage, transmission, and sharing of confidential information. We transmit and store confidential and private information of our users, such as personal information, including names, user accounts, and payment or transaction-related information.
We are subject to various regulatory requirements relating to cybersecurity and data privacy, including, without limitation, the PRC Civil Code, the PRC Cybersecurity Law, and the PRC Personal Information Protection Law. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Internet Information Security and Privacy Protection.” We are required by these laws and regulations to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and authenticity of the information of our users and distributors, which is also essential to maintaining their confidence in our vehicles and services. We have adopted strict information security policies and deployed advanced measures to implement the policies, including, among others, advanced encryption technologies. However, advances in technology, an increased level of sophistication and diversity of our products and services, an increased level of expertise of hackers, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or others can still result in a compromise or breach of our websites, the Li Auto App, or our vehicles’ electronic systems. If we are unable to protect our systems, and hence the information stored in our systems, from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction, such problems or security breaches could cause a loss, give rise to our liabilities to the owners of confidential information, or subject us to fines and other penalties. In addition, complying with various laws and regulations could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices, including our data practices, in a manner adverse to our business.
Regulatory requirements on cybersecurity and data privacy are constantly evolving and can be subject to varying interpretations or significant changes, resulting in uncertainties about the scope of our responsibilities in that regard. For example, on August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Personal Information Protection Law, which took effect on November 1, 2021. The PRC Personal Information Protection Law requires, among others, that (i) the processing of personal information should have a clear and reasonable purpose and should be directly related to its purpose, in a method that has the least impact on personal rights and interests, and (ii) the collection of personal information should be limited to the minimum scope necessary to achieve the processing purpose to avoid the excessive collection of personal information. Entities processing personal information must be responsible for their personal information processing activities and adopt necessary measures to safeguard the security of the personal information that they process. Otherwise, the entities processing personal information could be ordered to rectify, or suspend or terminate the provision of services, and face confiscation of illegal income, fines, or other penalties. On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which took effect on September 1, 2021. The PRC Data Security Law, among other things, provides for a security review procedure for the data activities that may affect national security.
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On December 28, 2021, the CAC, the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT, and several other PRC government authorities jointly issued the Cybersecurity Review Measures, which took effect on February 15, 2022 and further restates and expands the applicable scope of the cybersecurity review in effect. Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Review Measures, critical information infrastructure operators that procure internet products and services and network platform operators engaging in data processing activities must be subject to the cybersecurity review if their activities affect or may affect national security. The Cybersecurity Review Measures further stipulate that network platform operators holding personal information of over one million users must apply to the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review before public offering on a foreign stock exchange. Although our securities have been listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, given the Cybersecurity Review Measures was relatively new, there are uncertainties as to the interpretation, application, and enforcement of the Cybersecurity Review Measures. On August 17, 2021, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which took effect on September 1, 2021 and defines critical information infrastructure as any important network facilities or information systems of important industry or field such as public communication and information service, energy, communications, water conservation, finance, public services, e-government affairs, and national defense science, which may endanger national security, people’s livelihood, and public interest in case of damage, function loss, or data leakage. In addition, according to the Regulations on Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, the administration departments for each critical industry and sector should be responsible to formulate eligibility criteria and determine the scope of critical information infrastructure operator in the respective industry or sector. The operators will be informed about the final determination as to whether they are categorized as critical information infrastructure operators. As of the date of this annual report, no detailed implementation rules have been issued by any government authorities and we have not been informed as a critical information infrastructure operator by any government authorities. Furthermore, the exact scope of “critical information infrastructure operators” under the current regulatory regime remains unclear, and the PRC government authorities may have discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of these laws. Therefore, it is uncertain whether we would be deemed as a critical information infrastructure operator under PRC law. If so, we will be subject to more scrutiny from the government authorities, which may increase our compliance costs and affect our ability to conduct overseas offerings. If we were regarded as a critical information infrastructure operator by the government authorities, or if our data processing activities and overseas listing were regarded as having impact or potential impact on national security, we may be required to make significant changes to our business practices, suspend certain business, or even be prohibited from providing certain service offerings in jurisdictions in which we currently operate or in which we may operate in the future. Such review could also result in negative publicity with respect to us and diversion of our managerial and financial resources. There can be no assurance that we would be able to complete the applicable cybersecurity review procedures or clear the cybersecurity review in a timely manner, or at all, if we are required to follow such procedures or are subject to cybersecurity review by the CAC and other PRC regulatory authorities.
In addition, on August 16, 2021, the CAC, NDRC, MIIT, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Transport jointly issued the Regulations on the Management of Automobile Data Security (for Trial Implementation), which took effect on October 1, 2021. These regulations aim to regulate the activities of processing automobile data, including without limitation personal information and important data involved in the process of automotive design, production, sales, use, operation, and maintenance within the PRC territory. The regulations further elaborate the principles and requirements for the protection of personal information and important data in the automotive industry scenarios and requires automobile data processors processing important data to submit an annual report to specify its automobile data security management status to the provincial counterparts of the CAC and other government authorities prior to December 15 each year. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Internet Information Security and Privacy Protection.” We cannot assure you that the regulators will not interpret or implement the laws or regulations in ways that adversely affect us. In addition, it is possible that we may become subject to additional or new laws and regulations in this regard, particularly to data security and protection laws in other jurisdiction as we extend our business outside of China, which may result in additional expenses to us and subject us to potential liability and negative publicity. We expect that these areas will receive greater attention from regulators and attract continued or greater public scrutiny and attention going forward, which could increase our compliance costs and subject us to heightened risks and challenges associated with data security and protection. If we are unable to manage these risks, we could become subject to penalties, fines, suspension of business, and revocation of required licenses, and our reputation and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Furthermore, on September 24, 2024, the State Council published the Administration Regulations on Network Data Security, or the Data Security Regulations, which became effective on January 1, 2025. The Data Security Regulations provide that network data processors conduct network data processing activities that affects or may possibly affect national security must conduct national security review in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The Data Security Regulations provide no further explanation or interpretation as to how to determine what constitutes “affecting national security.” As such, there remain uncertainties of interpretation, application, and enforcement of the evolving relevant laws and regulations, and future regulatory changes may impose additional restrictions.
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It remains uncertain whether future regulatory changes would impose additional restrictions on companies like us. We cannot predict the impact of these future regulatory changes, if any, at this stage, and we will closely monitor and assess any development in the rule-making process. If future regulatory updates mandate clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be completed by China-based companies listed on foreign stock exchanges, such as us, we face uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all. As of the date of this annual report, there had been no material incident of data or personal information leakage, infringement of data protection and privacy laws and regulations, or investigation or other legal proceeding pending or threatened against us initiated by government authorities or third parties, that will materially and adversely affect our business and operations. We have not been involved in any formal investigations on cybersecurity review by the CAC on such basis. However, if we are not able to comply with the cybersecurity and data privacy requirements in a timely manner, or at all, we may be subject to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension of our non-compliant operations, or removal of our app from application stores, among other sanctions, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
As we expand our operations into other jurisdictions, we will be subject to additional laws and regulations in these jurisdictions. The laws and regulations of other jurisdictions may restrict the collection, storage, transmission, and exchange of data across jurisdictions, which could impose additional and substantial operational, administrative, and compliance burdens on us. Additionally, they may restrict our business activities and expansion plans, and impede our business strategies. Complying with laws and regulations for an increasing number of jurisdictions could require significant resources and costs. The increasing number of new legal requirements in various jurisdictions, such as the European Union General Data Protection Regulation, present increased challenges and risks in relation to policies and procedures relating to data collection, storage, transfer, disclosure, protection, and privacy, and may impose significant penalties for noncompliance, including but not limited to, penalties calculated as a percentage of global revenues under the General Data Protection Regulation. In addition, on February 28, 2024, the Biden administration of the United States released an executive order calling for the U.S. Department of Justice to promulgate regulations to prohibit and restrict the transfer of substantial quantities of sensitive personal data belonging to U.S. individuals, as well as certain data pertaining to the U.S. government, to countries of concern, including China. On January 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a final rule to implement the executive order, which prohibits or restricts transactions with certain identified countries of concern, including China, and classes of covered person involving government-related data or bulk U.S. sensitive personal data. Any failure by us to comply with applicable data privacy and protection laws and regulations, or any failure by our employees to comply with our internal policies and measures, could subject us to regulatory actions and legal proceedings. Regulatory actions include governmental enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, enforcement orders requiring us to cease operating in a certain way. Such actions and legal proceedings could subject us to significant civil or criminal penalties and may require us to change our business practices. Moreover, they may necessitate significant resources in responding to and defending allegations and claims. All of these outcomes could materially harm our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations.
Physical and transitional risks relating to climate change may have material adverse effects on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our business is subject to physical risks relating to climate change. Natural disasters, whether acute or chronic, such as floods, extreme heatwaves, tropical cyclones, and water scarcity pressures may pose significant challenges on our operations, including potential reduced production capacities, damage to equipment and other assets, and disruptions in supply chains and logistics. These risks could also threaten the health and safety of our employees and our supply chain partners. Such impacts may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition by ways such as causing impairment to our assets or increasing operational costs.
In addition, we and our partners are subject to transition risks in connection with climate change. Governments and regulatory authorities around the world are increasingly introducing laws, regulations, and policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change, such as China’s national carbon market and the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), with an expanding scope of coverage. If we were to be directly included in a carbon tax or carbon market system, we would incur additional compliance costs, such as paying carbon taxes or purchasing carbon allowances. Furthermore, if our upstream suppliers become subject to such regulations, our procurement costs may also rise indirectly. Such transition costs associated with compliance and carbon pricing could impact our financial condition and results of operations.
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Our warranty reserves may be insufficient to cover future warranty claims, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We provide warranties for new vehicles, battery packs, electric motors, and electric motor controllers, as well as air springs. Our warranty program is similar to other automakers’ warranty programs and is intended to cover all parts and labor to repair defects in material or workmanship in the body, chassis, suspension, interior, electric systems, battery, powertrain, and brake system. We record and adjust warranty reserves based on changes in estimated costs and actual warranty costs. We cannot assure you that our warranty reserves will be sufficient to cover future warranty claims. We could, in the future, become subject to significant and unexpected warranty claims, resulting in significant expenses, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
If our vehicle owners modify our vehicles regardless of whether third-party aftermarket products are used, the vehicle may not operate properly, which may create negative publicity and could harm our business.
Automobile enthusiasts may seek to modify our vehicles, including using third-party aftermarket products, to alter their appearance or enhance their performance, which could jeopardize vehicle safety systems. We do not test, nor do we endorse, such modifications or third-party products. In addition, the use of improper external cabling or unsafe charging outlets can expose our users to injury from high voltage electricity. Such unauthorized modifications could reduce the safety of our vehicles and any injuries resulting from such modifications could result in adverse publicity which would adversely affect our brand and harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
We have granted, and may continue to grant options and other types of awards under our share incentive plan, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses.
We adopted a share incentive plan in July 2019, or the 2019 Plan, for the purpose of granting share-based compensation awards to employees, directors, and consultants to incentivize their performance and align their interests with ours. We further adopted the 2020 Share Incentive Plan, or the 2020 Plan, in July 2020 and the 2021 Share Incentive Plan, or the 2021 Plan, in March 2021, in each case for the same purpose. Under the 2019 Plan, 2020 Plan, and 2021 Plan, we are authorized to grant options and other types of awards. The maximum number of Class A ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2019 Plan is 141,083,452. The maximum number of Class A ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2020 Plan is 165,696,625. The maximum number of Class B ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2021 Plan is 108,557,400. As of February 28, 2026, awards to purchase an aggregate of 59,891,996 Class A ordinary shares under the 2019 Plan and awards to purchase an aggregate of 18,762,326 Class A ordinary shares under the 2020 Plan had been granted and were outstanding, excluding awards that were forfeited or canceled after their grant date. On March 8, 2021, we granted options to purchase 108,557,400 Class B ordinary shares under our 2021 Plan to Mr. Li, our chairman and chief executive officer, with certain performance-based vesting conditions. On May 5, 2021, the board of directors approved to replace such options with the same number of restricted Class B ordinary shares under the same plan, all of which were vested upon grant on May 5, 2021, subject to certain undertakings of restrictions by Mr. Li based on certain performance conditions substantially similar to the vesting conditions of the options being replaced. These Class B ordinary shares were converted to Class A ordinary shares on a one-to-one basis with effect immediately upon the listing of our Class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation—Share Incentive Plans.” We refer to these 108,557,400 Class A ordinary shares as the CEO Award Shares. As the aggregate number of our vehicle deliveries in the preceding 12 consecutive months exceeded 500,000 by December 2024, the performance condition of the first tranche of CEO Award shares (or 18,092,900 Class A ordinary shares) was satisfied, although we were informed that Mr. Li currently does not intend to pay for the award premium of any CEO Award shares. We believe that the granting of share-based awards is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key personnel and employees, and we will continue to grant share-based compensation to employees in the future. As a result, our expenses associated with share-based compensation may increase, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Furthermore, prospective candidates and existing employees often consider the value of the equity awards they receive in connection with their employment. Thus, our ability to attract or retain highly skilled employees may be adversely affected by declines in the perceived value of our equity or equity awards. Furthermore, there are no assurances that the number of shares reserved for issuance under our share incentive plans will be sufficient to grant equity awards adequate to recruit new employees and to compensate existing employees.
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We may need to defend ourselves against intellectual property right infringement claims, which may be time-consuming and would cause us to incur substantial costs.
Entities or individuals, including our competitors, may hold or obtain patents, copyrights, trademarks, or other proprietary rights that would prevent, limit, or interfere with our ability to make, use, develop, sell, or market our vehicles or components, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. From time to time, we may receive communications from intellectual property right holders regarding their rights. Companies holding patents or other intellectual property rights may bring suits alleging infringement of such rights or otherwise assert their rights and urge us to take licenses. Our registered trademarks and trademarks under application relating to our design, software, or smart technology could be found to infringe upon existing trademark ownership and rights. In addition, if we are determined to have infringed upon a third party’s intellectual property rights, we may be required to do one or more of the following:
● cease selling, incorporating certain components into, or using vehicles or offering goods or services that incorporate or use the challenged intellectual property;
● pay substantial damages;
● seek a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which may not be available on reasonable terms or at all;
● redesign our vehicles or other goods or services; or
● establish and maintain alternative trademarks for our products and services.
In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to obtain a license to the infringed technology or other intellectual property right, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, any litigation or claims, whether or not valid, could result in substantial costs, negative publicity, and diversion of resources and management attention.
We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.
We regard our trademarks, service marks, patents, domain names, trade secrets, and similar intellectual property as critical to our success. We rely on trademark and patent law, trade secret protection, and confidentiality and license agreements with our employees and others to protect our intellectual property rights.
We have invested significant resources to develop our own intellectual property. Failure to maintain or protect these rights could harm our business. In addition, any unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties may adversely affect our current and future revenues and our reputation.
Implementation and enforcement of intellectual property laws have historically been challenging. Policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology is difficult and expensive. We rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and confidentiality agreements to protect our proprietary rights. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, third parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property or seek court declarations that they do not infringe upon our intellectual property rights. Monitoring unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly, and we cannot assure you that the steps we have taken or will take will prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property. From time to time, we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources.
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As our patents may expire and may not be extended, our patent applications may not be granted, and our patent rights may be contested, circumvented, invalidated, or limited in scope, our patent rights may not protect us effectively. In particular, we may not be able to prevent others from developing or exploiting competing technologies, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
As of December 31, 2025, we had 4,765 issued patents and 7,396 pending patent applications in China. We cannot assure you that all our pending patent applications will result in authorized patents. Even if our patent applications succeed and we are authorized patents accordingly, it is still uncertain whether these patents will be contested, circumvented, or invalidated in the future. In addition, the rights granted under any issued patents may not provide us with meaningful protection or competitive advantages. The claims under any patents may not be broad enough to prevent others from developing technologies that are similar or that achieve results similar to ours. It is also possible that the intellectual property rights of others could bar us from licensing and exploiting our patents. Numerous patents and pending patent applications owned by others exist in the fields where we have developed and are developing our technology. These patents and patent applications might have priority over our patent applications and could subject our patent applications to rejection. Finally, in addition to those who may claim priority, any of our existing patents may also be challenged by others on the basis that they are otherwise invalid or unenforceable.
Pandemics and epidemics, natural disasters, terrorist activities, political unrest, and other outbreaks could disrupt our production, delivery, and operations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Global pandemics, epidemics in China or elsewhere in the world, or fear of spread of contagious diseases, such as Ebola virus disease (EVD), coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, and avian flu could disrupt our business operations. We are also vulnerable to natural disasters and other calamities, such as fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins, war, riots, terrorist attacks, or similar events. Any of these could disrupt our business operations, reduce or restrict our supply of materials and services, incur significant costs to protect our employees and facilities, or result in regional or global economic distress, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Actual or threatened war, terrorist activities, political unrest, civil strife, and other geopolitical uncertainty could have a similar adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Any one or more of these events may impede our production and delivery efforts and adversely affect our sales results, or even for a prolonged period of time, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We might not be able to fulfil our obligation in respect of deferred revenue, which might have impact on our cash or liquidity position.
Our recognition of deferred revenue is subject to future performance obligations. Our deferred revenue mainly includes the transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied, or partially satisfied, which mainly arises from customer loyalty points offered in connection with the purchase of our vehicles, extended lifetime warranties for initial owners, vehicle internet connection services, OTA upgrades, undelivered vehicles, and charging stalls. We may have multiple performance obligations identified in one vehicle sales contract and the purchase price for sales of our vehicles and all embedded products and services to a user for which we have received consideration, or an amount of consideration is due, from the user, is recorded as deferred revenue. Due to potential future changes in user preferences and the need for us to satisfactorily perform product support and other services, deferred revenue at any particular date may not be representative of actual revenue for any current or future period. Any failure to fulfil the obligations in respect of deferred revenue may have an adverse impact on our results of operations and liquidity.
Fluctuation of fair value change of short-term and long-term investments that we made may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Our short-term investments primarily consist of investments in financial instruments with variable interest rates and maturity dates within one year, and our long-term investments primarily consisted of investments in publicly traded companies, privately-held companies and private equity funds, long-term time deposits, investments in financial instruments with variable interest rates and maturity dates greater than one year. The methodologies that we use to assess the fair value of the short-term and long-term investments involve a significant degree of management judgment and are inherently uncertain. In addition, we are exposed to credit risks in relation to our short-term and long-term investments, which may adversely affect the net changes in their fair value. We cannot assure you that market conditions will create fair value gains on our short-term and long-term investments, or we will not incur any fair value losses on our short-term and long-term investments in the future. If we incur such fair value losses, our financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may be adversely affected.
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We have limited insurance coverage, which could expose us to significant costs and business disruption.
We have limited liability insurance coverage for our products and business operations. A successful liability claim against us, regardless of whether due to injuries suffered by our users could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and reputation. Any business disruption event could result in substantial cost to us and diversion of our resources.
We are or may be subject to risks associated with strategic alliances or acquisitions.
We have entered into and may in the future enter into strategic alliances, including joint ventures or minority equity investments, with various third parties to further our business purpose from time to time. These alliances could subject us to a number of risks, including risks associated with sharing proprietary information, non-performance by third parties, and increases in expenses in establishing new strategic alliances, any of which may materially and adversely affect our business. We may have limited ability to monitor or control the actions of these third parties and, to the extent any of these third parties suffers negative publicity or harm to their reputation from events relating to their businesses, we may also suffer negative publicity or harm to our reputation by virtue of our association with any such third party.
In addition, we may have to complete certain administrative procedures with the PRC government authorities for strategic alliances and comply with any applicable PRC rules and regulations. For example, the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law requires that the anti-monopoly authority be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered. In June 2022, the SAMR imposed administrative penalties on us for failure to file prior notification of concentrations of undertaking for two of our past transactions even though neither transaction had an effect of excluding or limiting competition, resulting in a RMB400,000 fine for each case. We cannot assure you that we will not be involved in or subject to other investigations, inquiries, claims, or other administrative proceedings or requirements relating to anti-monopoly laws and regulations in the future. Pursuant to the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law, if the anti-monopoly authority determines that a business operator fails to file prior notification of concentrations of undertaking, the business operator may be subject to administrative penalties, including a fine of up to RMB500,000, and in extreme case it may be ordered to terminate or unwind the contemplated transaction, or to dispose of the assets or shares or transfer the business within a specified period. The Anti-Monopoly Law, which was amended in June 2022 and took effect on August 1, 2022, increases the fines for illegal concentration of business operators to no more than 10% of the business operator’s sales revenue in the previous year if the concentration of business operator has or may have an effect of excluding or limiting competitions, or a fine of up to RMB5,000,000 if the concentration of business operator does not have an effect of excluding or limiting competition.
Furthermore, if appropriate opportunities arise, we may acquire additional assets, products, technologies, or businesses that are complementary to our existing business. In addition to possible shareholder approval, we may have to obtain approvals and licenses from the government authorities for the acquisitions and to comply with any applicable PRC laws and regulations, which could result in increasing delay and costs, and may derail our business strategy if we fail to do so. Moreover, the costs of identifying and consummating acquisitions may be significant. Furthermore, past and future acquisitions and the subsequent integration of new assets and businesses into our own require significant attention from our management and could result in a diversion of resources from our existing business, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our operations. Acquired assets or businesses may not generate the financial results that we expect, or may be involved in potential legal risks that negatively affect our business. Acquisitions could result in the use of substantial amount of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the occurrence of significant goodwill impairment charges, amortization expenses for other intangible assets, and exposure to potential unknown liabilities of the acquired business. In particular, given the rapid evolution of AI technology, acquired assets may become obsolete faster than anticipated, leading to significant non-cash impairment charges that adversely affect our net income. In addition, any acquired business may be involved in legal proceedings originating from historical periods prior to the acquisition, and we may not be fully indemnified, or at all, for any damage to us resulting from such legal proceedings, which could materially and adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.
If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our results of operations, meet our reporting obligations, or prevent fraud.
We are a public company in the United States and are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, requires us to include a report from management on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F. In addition, as we ceased to be an “emerging growth company” as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
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Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2025. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, as stated in its report, which appears on page F-2 of this annual report on Form 20-F.
In the future, our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal control or the level at which our control is documented, designed, operated, or reviewed, or if it interprets the requirements differently from us. In addition, as we have become a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational, and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation in a timely manner.
If we fail to maintain adequate and effective internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented, or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations, and lead to a decline in the trading price of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increasing risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations, and civil or criminal sanctions. We may also be required to restate our financial statements from prior periods.
If we update our manufacturing equipment more quickly than expected, we may have to shorten the useful lives of any equipment to be retired as a result of any such update, and the resulting acceleration in our depreciation could negatively affect our financial results.
We have invested and expect to continue to invest significantly in what we believe is modern tooling, machinery, and other manufacturing equipment for the product lines where our vehicles are manufactured, and we depreciate the cost of such equipment over their expected useful lives. However, manufacturing technology may evolve rapidly, and we may decide to update our manufacturing process with advanced equipment more quickly than expected. In addition, we may adjust our product portfolio in response to lower - than - expected sales for certain models. Moreover, as our engineering and manufacturing expertise and efficiency increase, we may be able to manufacture our products using less of our installed equipment. The useful life of any equipment that would be retired early as a result would be shortened, causing the depreciation on such equipment to be accelerated, and to the extent we own such equipment, our results of operations could be negatively impacted. We are working on further improving the efficiency and technological capabilities of our manufacturing bases. Our increased investment in the manufacturing plants will result in an increase in depreciation cost upon expansion of our manufacturing bases, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Interruption or failure of our information technology and communications systems could affect our ability to effectively provide our services.
Our Li Auto App, official websites, in-car technology system, and other digitalized sales, service, user relationship, internal information and knowledge management systems depend on the continued operation of our information technology and communications systems. These systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from, among others, fire, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, power loss, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, computer denial of service attacks, or other attempts to harm our systems. Our data centers are also subject to break-ins, sabotage, and intentional acts of vandalism, and to potential disruptions. Some of our systems are not fully redundant, and our disaster recovery planning cannot account for all eventualities. Any problems at our data centers could result in lengthy interruptions in our service. In addition, our products and services are highly technical and complex and may contain errors or vulnerabilities, which could result in interruptions in our services or the failure of our systems.
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We may be subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, financial and economic sanctions, and similar laws, and noncompliance with such laws can subject us to administrative, civil, and criminal penalties, collateral consequences, remedial measures, and legal expenses, all of which could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may be subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, financial and economic sanctions, and similar laws and regulations in various jurisdictions in which we conduct activities, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, and other anti-corruption laws and regulations. The FCPA prohibits us and our officers, directors, employees, and business partners acting on our behalf, including agents, from corruptly offering, promising, authorizing, or providing anything of value to a “foreign official” for the purposes of influencing official decisions or obtaining or retaining business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment. The FCPA also requires companies to make and keep books, records, and accounts that accurately reflect transactions and dispositions of assets and to maintain a system of adequate internal accounting controls. A violation of these laws or regulations could adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition, and results of operations.
We have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies and state-owned affiliated entities in the ordinary course of business. We also have business collaborations with government agencies and state-owned affiliated entities. These interactions subject us to an increasing level of compliance-related concerns. We have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by us and our directors, officers, employees, representatives, consultants, agents, and business partners with applicable anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, financial and economic sanctions, and similar laws and regulations. However, our policies and procedures may not be sufficient and our directors, officers, employees, representatives, consultants, agents, and business partners could engage in improper conduct for which we may be held responsible.
Non-compliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, or financial and economic sanctions laws could subject us to whistleblower complaints, adverse media coverage, investigations, and severe administrative, civil and criminal sanctions, collateral consequences, remedial measures, and legal expenses, all of which could materially and adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may be subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. If the outcomes of these proceedings are adverse to us, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We may be subject to legal proceedings from time to time in the ordinary course of our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Claims arising out of actual or alleged violations of law could be asserted against us by our users, our competitors, governmental entities in civil or criminal investigations and proceedings, or other entities. These claims could be asserted under a variety of laws, including but not limited to product liability laws, consumer protection laws, intellectual property laws, labor and employment laws, securities laws, tort laws, contract laws, property laws, and employee benefit laws. There is no guarantee that we will be successful in defending ourselves in legal and administrative actions or in asserting our rights under various laws. Even if we are successful in our attempt to defend ourselves in legal and administrative actions or to assert our rights under various laws, enforcing our rights against the various parties involved may be expensive, time-consuming, and ultimately futile. These actions could expose us to negative publicity and to substantial monetary damages and legal defense costs, injunctive relief, and criminal, civil, and administrative fines and penalties.
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We and certain of our directors or officers have been named as defendants in a putative shareholder class action lawsuit that could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and reputation.
We and certain of our officers and directors have been named as defendants in two putative securities class actions filed in May 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, captioned Banurs v. Li Auto Inc. et al, No. 24-cv-03470 and Chaudary v. Li Auto Inc. et al, No. 1:24-cv-03725. Both cases were purportedly brought on behalf of a class of persons who claim to have suffered damages as a result of alleged misstatements and omissions in the Company’s SEC filings regarding its business outlook, in violation of the Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On December 30, 2024, the Court appointed a lead plaintiff and ordered both cases be consolidated under the caption Banurs v. Li Auto Inc. et al, No. 24-cv-03470. On March 27, 2025, the plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint, followed by a second amended complaint on June 6, 2025. On July 2, 2025, the individual defendants accepted service of the second amended complaint. On July 21, 2025, the Company and the individual defendants filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint. Briefing on the motion to dismiss was completed on October 9, 2025, and a decision on the motion to dismiss is currently pending. The case remains in its preliminary stage. We are currently unable to predict the outcome of this lawsuit or any possible loss or range of loss, if any, associated with the resolution thereof. In the event that our initial defense of this case is unsuccessful, there can be no assurance that we will prevail in any appeal. We may also face new legal proceedings, claims and investigations in the future. The existence of such cases and any adverse outcome of these cases, including any plaintiff’s appeal of a judgment, could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows as well as the trading price of our ADSs. Resolution of these matters may utilize a significant portion of our cash resources and divert management’s attention from the day-to-day operations of our company, all of which could harm our business. We also may be subject to claims for indemnification related to these matters, and we cannot predict the impact that indemnification claims may have on our business or financial results.
A severe or prolonged downturn in the macroeconomy could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The global macroeconomic environment faces numerous challenges. Like certain other developed and developing economies, the Chinese economy has experienced, and may continue to experience from time to time, slowing growth rate and issues affecting population growth. In light of ongoing inflationary pressure, the Federal Reserve and other central banks raised interest rates in 2023, with a series of bank failures, and started to lower interest rates in 2024 and 2025. However, inflation continue to be a threat to the global economy. Regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Hamas-Israel conflict, and attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have heightened geopolitical tensions across the world. The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Ukraine food exports has contributed to increases in food prices and thus to inflation more generally. There also have been concerns about the relationship between China and other countries, which may potentially have economic effects. In particular, there is significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and China with respect to a wide range of issues including trade policies, treaties, government regulations, and tariffs. The Trump Administration, after coming into power in January 2025, has implemented various political and economic policies, many of which were targeted on China, further creating uncertainties to the U.S.-China relationship and the macroeconomy in general. In recent years, a large number of jurisdictions have imposed higher tariffs and other protective measures on imports and exports, and such protectionist policies could discourage cross-border transactions and globalization.
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Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. Any prolonged slowdown in China’s economic development might lead to tighter credit markets, increased market volatility, sudden drops in business and consumer confidence, and dramatic changes in business and consumer behaviors. Sales of premium products, such as our vehicles, depend in part on discretionary consumer spending and are even more exposed to adverse changes in general economic conditions. In response to their perceived uncertainty in economic conditions, consumers might delay, reduce, or cancel purchases of our vehicles and our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Unexpected termination of leases, failure to renew the lease of our existing premises or to renew such leases at acceptable terms could materially and adversely affect our business.
We lease the premises for manufacturing, research and development, retails stores, delivery and servicing centers, offices, and charging stations. We cannot assure you that we would be able to renew the lease agreements without substantial additional cost or increase in the rental cost payable by us. If a lease agreement is renewed at a rent substantially higher than the current rate, or currently existing favorable terms granted by the lessor are not extended, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure
If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with the VIEs do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.
Current PRC laws and regulations place certain restrictions on foreign ownership of certain areas of businesses. For example, pursuant to the 2024 Negative List, foreign investors are not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added telecommunication service provider (excluding e-commerce, domestic multiparty communications, store-and-forward, and call centers). In addition, foreign investors are prohibited from investing in companies engaging in radio and television program production businesses.
Li Auto Inc. is a Cayman Islands company and our PRC subsidiaries are considered foreign-invested enterprises. Therefore, neither Li Auto Inc. nor our foreign-invested enterprises are currently eligible to apply for the required licenses for providing internet information services or other value-added telecommunication services or conduct other businesses that are restricted or prohibited from foreign-owned companies in China. To comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations, we conduct certain operations in China through the VIEs and their subsidiaries by entering into a series of contractual arrangements with the VIEs in China and their respective shareholders. In particular, Beijing CHJ holds a Surveying and Mapping Qualification Certificate. Beijing Chelixing Information Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing CHJ, currently holds an ICP License and an Operating License for the Production and Dissemination of Radio and Television Programs. Such structure enables investors to share economic interests in China-based companies in sectors where foreign direct investment is prohibited or restricted under laws and regulations in the Chinese mainland. For a detailed description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.”
In the opinion of Han Kun Law Offices, our PRC legal counsel, as of the date of this annual report, (i) the ownership structures of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Beijing Co Wheels Technology Co., Ltd., or Wheels Technology, and the VIEs in China are not in violation of any explicit provisions of PRC laws and regulations currently in effect; and (ii) each of the contracts among Wheels Technology, the VIEs, and their respective shareholders governed by PRC laws is valid and binding. However, we have been advised by our PRC legal counsel that the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations, and rules are evolving, and there can be no assurance that the PRC regulatory authorities will take a view that is consistent with the opinion of our PRC legal counsel.
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However, Li Auto Inc. is not a Chinese operating company but a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in the VIEs and their subsidiaries. We conduct our operations in China through (i) our PRC subsidiaries and (ii) the VIEs, with which we have maintained contractual arrangements, and their subsidiaries. Investors in our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs thus are not purchasing equity interest in the VIEs in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in a Cayman Islands holding company, and may never directly hold equity interests in the VIEs in China. In addition, the legality and enforceability of the contractual agreements between our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, and their nominee shareholders, as a whole, have not been tested in a court of law in China. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with the VIEs do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. We may not be able to repay our indebtedness, and our securities may significantly decline in value, if we are unable to assert our contractual control rights over the assets of the VIEs and their subsidiaries. Our holding company in the Cayman Islands, the VIEs and their subsidiaries, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of the VIEs and our company as a group.
In addition, it is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to VIE structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. In particular, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law on March 15, 2019, which took effect on January 1, 2020. In addition, the State Council approved the Implementation Rules of Foreign Investment Law on December 26, 2019, which took effect on January 1, 2020. We cannot ascertain how the Foreign Investment Law and its implementation rules would impact us, including whether it would represent a major change to the laws and regulations relating to the VIE structures. See “—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—The interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and its implementation rules are evolving, and we cannot fully ascertain how they may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, and operations.” We cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that our contractual arrangements comply with PRC licensing, registration, or other regulatory requirements, with existing policies, or with requirements or policies that may be adopted in the future. For example, on February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies and five supporting guidelines, which are aimed to regulate both direct and indirect overseas offering and listing of PRC domestic companies’ securities by adopting a filing-based regulatory regime and took effect on March 31, 2023. Companies in the Chinese mainland that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to fulfill the filing procedure with the CSRC and report any required information. At a press conference held for these regulations on February 17, 2023, officials from the CSRC clarified that, as for companies seeking overseas offering and listing with VIEs and applying to file with the CSRC, the CSRC will solicit opinions from the PRC regulatory authorities and complete the filing of the overseas listing of such companies if such companies duly meet the compliance requirements. If we fail to complete the filing with the CSRC in a timely manner, or at all, for our further capital raising activities which are subject to filing requirements under these regulations due to the VIE structure, we may be required to unwind the VIEs or adjust our business operations to meet the filing requirements and our ability to raise or utilize funds could be materially and adversely affected.
If the ownership structure, contractual arrangements, and businesses of our PRC subsidiaries or the VIEs are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or our PRC subsidiaries or the VIEs fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures in accordance with applicable laws, including:
● revoking the business licenses or operating licenses of such entities;
● shutting down our servers or blocking our website or our mobile application, or discontinuing or placing restrictions or onerous conditions on our operation through any transactions between our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs;
● imposing fines, confiscating the income from our PRC subsidiaries or the VIEs, or imposing other requirements with which we or the VIEs may not be able to comply;
● requiring us to restructure our ownership structure or operations, including terminating the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and deregistering the equity pledge of the VIEs, which in turn would affect our ability to consolidate, derive economic interests from, or exert effective control over the VIEs; or
● restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds of our offshore offerings to finance our business and operations in China, and taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could be harmful to our business.
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Any of these or similar occurrences could significantly disrupt our or the VIEs’ business operations or restrict the VIEs from conducting a substantial portion of their business operations, which could materially and adversely affect the business, financial condition, and results of operations of the VIEs and us. If any of these occurrences results in our inability to direct the activities of any of the VIEs that most significantly impact its economic performance, and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits from any of the VIEs, we may not be able to consolidate these entities in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
We rely on contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their respective shareholders to maintain a controlling financial interest in the VIEs, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.
We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their respective shareholders to conduct a portion of our operations in China. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.” The respective shareholders of the VIEs may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. If we had direct ownership of the VIEs, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to control the VIEs to excise rights of shareholders to effect changes in the board of directors of the VIEs, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the contractual arrangements, we would rely on legal remedies under PRC laws for breach of contract in the event that the VIEs and their respective shareholders did not perform their obligations under the contracts. These legal remedies may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over the VIEs.
If the VIEs or their respective shareholders fail to perform their obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under PRC laws, including contractual remedies, which may not be sufficient or effective. All of the agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by and interpreted in accordance with PRC laws, and disputes arising from these contractual arrangements will be resolved through arbitration in China. As a result, we cannot assure you that these contractual arrangements could be enforced as anticipated to. Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of an VIE should be interpreted or enforced under PRC law. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In addition, under PRC laws, rulings by arbitrators are final, parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and if the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in the PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. If we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or face other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over the VIEs, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected. See “—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—The PRC legal system is developing, which could lead to uncertainties that adversely affect us.”
Our ability to enforce the equity pledge agreements between us and the VIEs’ shareholders may be subject to limitations based on PRC laws and regulations.
Pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreements between Beijing CHJ and Xindian Information, the VIEs, their respective shareholders, and Wheels Technology, our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary, each shareholder of Beijing CHJ and Xindian Information agrees to pledge its equity interests in the VIE to our subsidiary to secure Beijing CHJ and Xindian Information’s performance of the VIE’s obligations under the contractual arrangements. The equity interest pledge of shareholders of Beijing CHJ and Xindian Information has been registered with the local branch of the SAMR. The equity interest pledge agreements with the VIEs’ shareholders provide that the pledged equity interest must constitute continuing security for any and all of the indebtedness, obligations and liabilities under the agreements and the scope of pledge cannot be limited by the amount of the registered capital of that VIE. However, a PRC court may take the position that the amount listed on the equity pledge registration forms represents the full amount of the collateral that has been registered and perfected. If this is the case, the obligations that are supposed to be secured in the equity interest pledge agreements in excess of the amount listed on the equity pledge registration forms could be determined by the PRC court as unsecured debt, which typically takes last priority among creditors.
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If we exercise the option to acquire equity ownership of the VIEs, the ownership transfer may subject us to certain limitations and substantial costs.
Pursuant to the Provisions on Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, the ultimate foreign equity ownership in a value-added telecommunications services provider cannot exceed 50%, except in certain regulatory exceptions. If the PRC laws were revised to allow foreign investors to hold over 50% of the equity interests in value-added telecommunications enterprises providing internet information service, we might be unable to unwind our contractual arrangements with the VIEs, or if we attempt to unwind the contractual arrangements, we may be ineligible to operate our value-added telecommunication enterprises and may be forced to suspend their operations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Pursuant to the contractual arrangements, Wheels Technology or its designated person has the exclusive right to purchase all or part of the equity interests in our consolidated VIEs at the lower of the amount of their respective paid-in capital in the consolidated VIE and the lowest price permitted under applicable PRC laws. Subject to applicable laws and regulations, the shareholders of our consolidated VIEs will return any amount of purchase price they have received to Wheels Technology. If such a transfer takes place, the tax authority may ask Wheels Technology to pay enterprise income tax for ownership transfer income with reference to the market value, in which case the amount of tax could be substantial.
The registered shareholders of the VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The registered shareholders of Beijing CHJ and Xindian Information, the VIEs, may have potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may breach, or cause the VIEs to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them and the VIEs, which would have a material and adverse effect on our ability to effectively control the VIEs and receive economic benefits from them. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with the VIEs to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
Currently, we do not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between these shareholders and our company, except that we could exercise our purchase option under the exclusive option agreements with these shareholders to request them to transfer all of their equity interests in the VIEs to a PRC entity or individual designated by us, to the extent permitted by PRC law. For individual shareholders who are also our directors, we rely on them to abide by the laws of the Cayman Islands and China, which provide that directors owe a fiduciary duty to the company that requires them to act in good faith and in what they believe to be the best interests of the company and not to use their position for personal gains. There is currently no specific and clear guidance under PRC laws that addresses any conflict between PRC laws and laws of Cayman Islands in respect of any conflict relating to corporate governance. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and the shareholders of the VIEs, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
The shareholders of the VIEs may be involved in personal disputes with third parties or other incidents that may have an adverse effect on their respective equity interests in the VIEs and the validity or enforceability of our contractual arrangements with the entity and its shareholders. For example, in the event that any of the shareholders of the VIEs divorces his or her spouse, the spouse may claim that the equity interest of the VIE held by such shareholder is part of their community property and should be divided between such shareholder and his or her spouse. If such claim is supported by the court, the equity interest may be obtained by the shareholder’s spouse or another third party who is not subject to obligations under our contractual arrangements, which could result in a loss of the effective control over the VIE by us. Similarly, if any of the equity interests of the VIEs is inherited by a third party with whom the current contractual arrangements are not binding, we could lose our control over the VIE or have to maintain such control by incurring unpredictable costs, which could cause significant disruption to our business and operations and harm our financial condition and results of operations.
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Our contractual arrangements with the VIEs may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or the VIEs owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.
Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year when the transactions are conducted. The PRC enterprise income tax law requires every enterprise in China to submit its annual enterprise income tax return together with a report on transactions with its related parties to the tax authorities. The tax authorities may impose reasonable adjustments on taxation if they have identified any related party transactions that are inconsistent with arm’s length principles. We may face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements were not entered into on an arm’s length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and adjust the income of the VIEs in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by the VIEs for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase its tax liabilities without reducing Wheels Technology’s tax expenses. In addition, if Wheels Technology requests the shareholders of the VIEs to transfer their equity interest in the VIEs at nominal or no value pursuant to the contractual agreements, such transfer could be viewed as a gift and subject Wheels Technology to PRC income tax. Furthermore, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on the VIEs for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if any of the VIEs’ tax liabilities increase or they are required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.
We may lose the ability to use and benefit from assets held by the VIEs that are material to the operation of our business if either of the VIEs goes bankrupt or becomes subject to dissolution or liquidation proceeding.
As part of our contractual arrangements with the VIEs, these entities may in the future hold certain assets that are material to the operation of our business. If either of the VIEs goes bankrupt and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Under the contractual arrangements, the VIEs may not, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of their assets or legal or beneficial interests in the business without our prior consent. If either of the VIEs undergoes voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Doing Business in China
Changes in China’s economic, political, or social conditions, or government policies could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Substantially all of our revenues are derived in China and substantially all of our operations, including all of our manufacturing, are conducted in China. Accordingly, our financial condition, results of operations, and prospects are influenced by economic, political, and legal developments in China. China’s economy has unique characteristics in many respects, including with respect to regulations, growth rate, and regulation of foreign exchange. The PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company, such as us, to conduct its business in accordance with applicable laws. Therefore, investors of our company and our business face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government. The PRC government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through controlling the payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, there can be no assurance that the growth would be even across sectors or continue. Any adverse changes in the economic conditions in China, in the policies of the PRC government, or in the PRC laws and regulations, could materially and adversely affect our operations. Any severe or prolonged economic downturn could adversely affect our business and operating results, leading to reduction in demand for our products, and adversely affect our competitive position.
Our ability to successfully maintain or grow business operations in China depends on various factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among others, macro-economic and other market conditions, political stability, social conditions, measures to control inflation or deflation, changes in the rate or method of taxation, changes in laws, regulations, and administrative directives or their interpretation, and changes in industry policies. If we fail to take timely and appropriate measures to adapt to any of the changes or challenges, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, the PRC government has oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business in accordance with PRC laws and regulations and may influence our operations. Our failure to meet the requirements in accordance with applicable laws could result in a material adverse change in our business operations and/or the value of our securities.
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The PRC legal system is developing, which could lead to uncertainties that adversely affect us.
We conduct our business primarily through our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs and their subsidiaries in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries are subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China. The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. There is limited volume of published court decisions, which may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value unless otherwise stipulated by the Supreme People’s Court. The PRC legal system is developing rapidly, and the interpretation of laws, regulations, and rules and the enforcement of these laws, regulations, and rules could lead to uncertainties. For example, the revised PRC Company Law, which took effect on July 1, 2024, makes substantial changes in a number of areas, including, among others, imposing time limit for capital contribution to existing and future companies so that companies established before the new Company Law takes effect with a term of capital contributions exceeding the time limit must adjust their schedule of capital contribution unless otherwise provided by relevant laws and regulations or the State Council. We may be required to fulfill our capital contribution obligations to our PRC subsidiaries or to provide financial support to the nominee shareholders of the VIEs within a significantly shorter timeframe than currently stipulated pursuant to the new Company Law. However, as the new Company Law is relatively new, its implementation and interpretation remain uncertain.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. The administrative and court proceedings may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection that we enjoy. These uncertainties may impede our ability to enforce the contracts that we have entered into and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, we may not always be aware of our violation of government policies and rules promptly. Such unpredictability towards our contractual, property (including intellectual property), and procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
We may be adversely affected by the complexity and changes in PRC regulations on automotive and internet-related businesses and companies.
We operate in highly regulated industries. In particular, automobile manufacturing is subject to extensive regulations in China. See “Regulations on Manufacturing of New Energy Passenger Vehicles,” “Regulations on Compulsory Product Certification,” “Regulations on Automobile Sales,” and “Regulations on the Recall of Defective Automobiles” under “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations.” Several PRC government authorities, such as the SAMR, the NDRC, the MIIT, and the Ministry of Commerce, oversee different aspects of our operations, including but not limited to:
● assessment of vehicle manufacturing enterprises;
● production capacity at our manufacturing facilities;
● market admission of NEVs;
● compulsory product certification;
● direct sales model and sales activities;
● product liabilities;
● vehicle maintenance and repair; and
● environmental protection system; and work safety and occupational health requirements.
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We are required to obtain a wide range of government approvals, licenses, permits, and registrations in connection with our operations as well as to follow multiple mandatory standards or technical norms in our manufacturing and our vehicles. However, the implementation of new regulations targeting the industries in which we operate may affect our operations, including impositions of additional requirements that may disrupt or restrict our operations, reduce our competitiveness, or result in substantial compliance costs. For example, pursuant to the Administrative Rules on the Admission of New Energy Vehicle Manufacturers and Products, which was promulgated by the MIIT in January 2017 and amended in July 2020, our vehicles must meet the requirements set forth in the New Energy Vehicle Products Special Examination Project and Standards stipulated and amended by the MIIT from time to time. In addition, certain filings must be made by automobile dealers through the information system for the national automobile circulation operated by the relevant commerce department within 90 days after the receipt of a business license and the information must be updated within 30 days after the change of basic information recorded. Our direct sales model is relatively new and uncommon in the automotive industry, and we cannot assure you that this model will not be subject to further regulations. We are also required to complete filings with the local government authorities in connection with providing vehicle maintenance and repair services. As we are expanding our sales and distribution network and setting up additional retail stores, servicing centers, and Li Auto-authorized body and paint shops in China, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete such filings in a timely manner, or at all. If any of our current or future sales subsidiaries or branches or our subsidiaries or branches providing vehicle maintenance and repair services fail to make the necessary filings, such subsidiaries or branches may be subject to orders to promptly rectify the non-compliance or fines.
Our automotive vehicles support various novel features that are subject to evolving regulatory requirements. In the field of autonomous driving, in 2025, the PRC government further tightened the eligibility and road-testing standards for autonomous driving technologies. The evolving regulatory framework imposes more rigorous requirements on safety assessments, liability determinations, and data processing compliance for autonomous driving systems, which may delay the roll-out of our advanced smart driving features and increase ongoing compliance and R&D expenditures. With respect to over-the-air (OTA) updates, regulatory authorities have recently enhanced scrutiny over the use of OTA updates to alter vehicle performance or remediate safety defects. Frequent or significant OTA updates now require more complex filing procedures and may be characterized as “recalls,” which limits our ability to rapidly iterate software functions and could adversely impact our brand reputation.
The regulatory framework to regulate the NEV industry in China is evolving. In 2025, new regulations were implemented concerning the payment terms to small and medium-sized enterprises, which have restricted our autonomy over supply payment cycles. Should regulators mandate shorter payment windows, our operating cash flow and working capital management may experience short-term pressure, thereby impacting our capital deployment efficiency. In the same year, regulatory authorities and industry associations also intensified restrictions on “involution-style”, meaning cutthroat, competition, aiming to steer the industry towards more value-based competition and orderly expansion. Related pricing guidelines or self-disciplinary pacts may limit our flexibility to gain market share through aggressive pricing strategies, potentially impacting our sales volume growth targets. We cannot assure you that we have satisfied or will continue to satisfy all of the laws, rules, and regulations in the timely manner or at all. Changes in government policies may create uncertainty that could adversely affect our business operations. The interpretation and implementation of existing laws, rules, and regulations are subject to regulatory discretion and may change in the future, which could materially and adversely affect the validity of the approvals, qualifications, licenses, permits, and registrations we obtained or completed. Any failure to comply may result in fines, restrictions, and limits on our operations, as well as suspension or revocation of certain certificates, approvals, permits, licenses, or filings we have already obtained or made.
In addition, the PRC government imposes foreign ownership restriction and the licensing and permit requirements for companies in the internet industry. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Foreign Investment in China” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Value-added Telecommunications Services.” These laws and regulations are relatively new and are evolving, and their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainties. As a result, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine what actions or omissions may be deemed to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations. We do not directly conduct such business due to the restrictions on foreign investment in businesses providing value-added telecommunications services in China and we rely on contractual arrangements with the VIEs to operate value-added telecommunications services. Beijing Chelixing Information Technology Co., Ltd. currently holds an ICP License. The VIEs and their subsidiaries may be required to obtain additional licenses or permits for certain services carried out by us through our mobile application or to update our exiting licenses or permits. Failure to obtain or update such license may significantly disrupt our business, subject us to sanctions, compromise enforceability of related contractual arrangements, or have other adverse impacts on us.
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Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including Hong Kong dollars and U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. Renminbi has fluctuated against Hong Kong dollars and U.S. dollars, at times significantly and unpredictably. The value of Renminbi against Hong Kong dollars, U.S. dollars, and other currencies is affected by changes in China’s political and economic conditions and by China’s foreign exchange policies, among other things. As we expand our international operations, we are increasingly exposed to fluctuations in other foreign currencies beyond U.S. and Hong Kong dollars. We cannot assure you that Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against Hong Kong dollars and U.S. dollars in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between Renminbi and U.S. dollars in the future.
There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a more flexible currency policy. Any significant appreciation or depreciation of Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs in foreign currency. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars that we receive from our overseas offering into Renminbi to pay our operating expenses, appreciation of Renminbi against the U.S. dollars would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount that we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, a significant depreciation of Renminbi against U.S. dollars may significantly reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent of our earnings, which in turn could adversely affect the price of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.
Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. We enter into hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk when we deem appropriate. While we may decide to enter into further hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your investment.
Discontinuation of any of the preferential tax treatments and government subsidies or imposition of any additional taxes and surcharges could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our PRC subsidiaries currently benefit from a number of preferential tax treatments. For example, Beijing CHJ is entitled to enjoy, after completing certain application formalities, a 15% preferential enterprise income tax from 2019 as it has been qualified as a high and new technology enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and related regulations. The discontinuation of any of the preferential income tax treatment that we currently enjoy could have a material and adverse effect on our result of operations and financial condition. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain or lower our current effective tax rate in the future.
In addition, our PRC subsidiaries have received various financial subsidies from PRC local government authorities. The financial subsidies result from discretionary incentives and policies adopted by PRC local government authorities. Local government authorities may decide to change or discontinue such financial subsidies at any time. The discontinuation of such financial subsidies or imposition of any additional taxes could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Furthermore, various jurisdictions around the world have enacted or are considering enacting digital services taxes, which could lead to inconsistent and potentially overlapping international tax regimes applicable to highly-digitalized businesses. In 2021, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development announced an Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting including Pillar Two Model Rules defining the global minimum tax, which calls for the taxation of large multinational corporations at a minimum rate of 15%. Subsequently, multiple sets of administrative guidance have been issued. Various tax jurisdictions have either recently enacted legislation to adopt certain components of the Pillar Two Model Rules beginning in 2024 with the adoption of additional components in later years or announced their plans to enact such legislation in future years. We will continue to evaluate the impact of such legislative initiatives in the tax jurisdictions we operate in. These rules and implementations are evolving, and there is no guarantee that our results of operations and financial condition would not be materially impacted.
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Our leased property interest may be defective and our right to lease the properties affected by such defects challenged, which could cause significant disruption to our business.
Under PRC laws, all lease agreements are required to be registered with the local housing authorities. We presently lease several premises in China, some of which the landlords have not completed the registration of their ownership rights or the registration of our leases with the authorities. Failure to complete these required registrations may expose our landlords, lessors and us to potential monetary fines. If these registrations are not obtained in a timely manner or at all, we may be subject to monetary fines or may have to relocate our offices and incur the associated losses.
Some of the ownership certificates or other similar proof of certain leased properties or authorization documents have not been provided to us by the lessors. Therefore, we cannot assure you that such lessors are entitled to lease those real properties to us. If the lessors are not entitled to lease the real properties to us and the owners of such real properties decline to ratify the lease agreements between us and the respective lessors, we may not be able to enforce our rights to lease such properties under the respective lease agreements against the owners. If our lease agreements are claimed as null and void by third parties who are the real owners of such leased real properties, we could be required to vacate the properties, in the event of which we could only initiate the claim against the lessors under the lease agreements for indemnities for their breach of the leasing agreements. We cannot assure you that suitable alternative locations are readily available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and if we are unable to relocate our operations in a timely manner, our operations may be adversely affected.
The PRC government’s oversight and discretion over our business operations could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.
We conduct our business primarily through our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs and their subsidiaries in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations and government policies. The PRC government has oversight and discretion over the operation of our business in accordance with PRC laws and regulations and may influence our operations. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could result in a material adverse change in our operation and the value of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.
In recent years, the PRC government has strengthened oversight over overseas offerings by and foreign investment in China-based issuers like us. For example, on July 6, 2021, the PRC government authorities promulgated the Opinions on Lawfully and Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities, which stated that the administration and supervision of overseas-listed China-based companies will be strengthened, and the special provisions of the State Council on overseas issuance and listing of shares by such companies will be revised, clarifying the responsibilities of the domestic industry regulatory authorities and other regulatory authorities.
On December 28, 2021, the CAC, the NDRC, the MIIT, and several other PRC government authorities jointly issued the Cybersecurity Review Measures, which took effect on February 15, 2022. Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Review Measures, in addition to “critical information infrastructure operators,” network platform operators engaging in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security are subject to cybersecurity review. The government authorities may initiate the cybersecurity review against the operators if the authorities believe that the network products or services or data processing activities of such operators affect or may affect national security. In addition, the Cybersecurity Review Measures provides that network platform operators holding personal information of over one million users must apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review before public offering on a foreign stock exchange. The cybersecurity review will evaluate, among others, the risk of critical information infrastructure, core data, important data, or a large amount of personal information being affected, controlled, or maliciously used by foreign government and the cybersecurity risk in connection with the listing. Although our securities have been listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, given the Cybersecurity Review Measures are relatively new, we cannot fully ascertain how these measures would affect us.
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On February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies and five supporting guidelines, which took effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to these regulations, companies in the Chinese mainland that directly or indirectly offer or list their securities in an overseas market, including a company in the Chinese mainland limited by shares and an offshore company whose main business operations are in the Chinese mainland and intends to offer shares or be listed in an overseas market based on its equities, assets or similar interests in the Chinese mainland are required to file with the CSRC within three business days after submitting their listing application documents to the regulator in the place of intended listing. Failure to complete the filing under these regulations or conceals any material fact or falsifies any major content in its filing documents may subject the company to administrative penalties, such as order to rectify, warnings, fines, and its controlling shareholders, actual controllers, direct officers-in-charge and other direct personnel-in-charge may also be subject to administrative penalties, such as warnings and fines. These regulations also provide that a company in the Chinese mainland must file with the CSRC within three business days for its follow on offering of securities after it is listed in an overseas market. Therefore, we are subject to the filing requirements for our future capital raising activities under these regulations. As these regulations were newly promulgated, its interpretation, application and enforcement remain unclear and there remains uncertainties as to how these regulations will affect our operations and future overseas offerings. We cannot assure you that we will be able to complete such filing in a timely manner and fully comply with such regulations to maintain the listing status of our securities, or to conduct any securities offerings in the future.
It remains uncertain how PRC government authorities will regulate overseas listing in general. If the PRC government authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for our future overseas offerings, we may be unable to obtain such approvals in a timely manner, or at all, and such approvals may be rescinded even if obtained. Any such circumstance could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. In addition, implementation of new laws and regulations may significantly affect the industries where we operate, which could have material adverse change in our operations and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline.
The PCAOB had historically been unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of our auditor in the past had deprived our investors with the benefits of such inspections.
Our auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this annual report, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. The auditor is located in China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB was historically unable to conduct inspections and investigations completely before 2022. As a result, we and investors in our ordinary shares or the ADSs were deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of registered public accounting firms in China in the past made it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB issued a report that vacated its December 16, 2021 determination and removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. However, if the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely registered public accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, and we use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the SEC, we and investors in our ordinary shares or the ADSs would be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections again, which could cause investors and potential investors in our ordinary shares or the ADSs to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.
Our ADSs may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in mainland China and Hong Kong. The delisting of the ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.
Pursuant to the HFCAA, as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspections by the PCAOB for two consecutive years, the SEC will prohibit our shares or the ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States.
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On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report to notify the SEC of its determination that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong, including our auditor. In May 2022, the SEC conclusively listed us as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA following the filing of our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. For this reason, we were not identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA after we filed our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, 2023 or 2024, and do not expect to be so identified after we file this annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Each year, the PCAOB will determine whether it can inspect and investigate completely registered public accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, among other jurisdictions. If the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely registered public accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong and we use such an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the SEC, we would be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer following the filing of the annual report on Form 20-F for the relevant fiscal year. In accordance with the HFCAA, our securities would be prohibited from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States if we are identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for two consecutive years in the future. Although our Class A ordinary shares have been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the ADSs and Class A ordinary shares are fully fungible, we cannot assure you that an active trading market for our Class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will be sustained or that the ADSs can be converted and traded with sufficient market recognition and liquidity, if our shares and ADSs are prohibited from trading in the United States. A prohibition of being able to trade in the United States would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our ADSs when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with delisting would have a negative impact on the price of our ADSs. Also, such a prohibition would significantly affect our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and prospects.
The interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and its implementation rules are evolving, and we cannot fully ascertain how they may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, and operations.
On March 15, 2019, the PRC National People’s Congress approved the PRC Foreign Investment Law, which took effect on January 1, 2020. On December 26, 2019, the PRC State Council approved the Implementation Rules of Foreign Investment Law, which took effect on January 1, 2020. The Foreign Investment Law and its implementation rules embody an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since the Foreign Investment Law and its implementation rules are evolving, their interpretation and implementation could lead to uncertainties.
The VIE structure has been adopted by many PRC-based companies, including us, to obtain necessary licenses and permits in the industries that are currently subject to foreign investment restrictions in China. See “—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure.” Under the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investment” refers to the investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by foreign individuals, enterprises or other entities in China. Although it does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, there is no assurance that foreign investment via contractual arrangement would not be interpreted as a type of indirect foreign investment activities in the future. In addition, the definition contains a catch-all provision providing that investments made by foreign investors through other methods specified in laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council, which leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the Stale Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a method of foreign investment. Given the foregoing, it is uncertain whether our contractual arrangements will be deemed to be in violation of the market entry clearance requirements for foreign investment under the PRC laws and regulations.
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The Foreign Investment Law specifies that foreign investments must be conducted in line with the “negative list” to be issued by or approved to be issued by the State Council. A foreign-invested enterprise would not be allowed to make investments in prohibited industries in the “negative list,” while the foreign-invested enterprise must satisfy certain conditions stipulated in the “negative list” for investment in restricted industries. It is uncertain whether the value-added telecommunication service industry, in which the VIEs and their subsidiaries operate, will be subject to the foreign investment restrictions or prohibitions set forth in the “negative list” to be issued in the future, although it is subject to the foreign investment restrictions set forth in the currently effective negative list. Moreover, the Foreign Investment Law does not indicate what actions must be taken by existing companies with a VIE structure to obtain the market entry clearance if such structure would be deemed as a method of foreign investment. If the VIE structure would be deemed as a method of foreign investment, and any of our business operation would fall in the “negative list,” and if the interpretation and implementation of the Foreign Investment Law and the final “negative list” mandate further actions, such as market entry clearance granted by the Ministry of Commerce, to be completed by companies with an existing VIE structure like us, we face uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all. There are uncertainties as to how the Foreign Investment Law would be further interpreted and implemented. We cannot assure you that the interpretation and implementation of the Foreign Investment Law made by the governmental authorities in the future will not materially impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, and business operations in any aspect.
We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements that we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
We are a holding company, and we may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may incur. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated after-tax profits upon satisfaction of the applicable statutory conditions and procedures, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until the total amount set aside reaches 50% of its registered capital. For a detailed discussion of applicable PRC regulations governing distribution of dividends, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Dividend Distribution.” Additionally, if our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. Furthermore, the PRC tax authorities may require our subsidiaries to adjust their taxable income under the contractual arrangements they currently have in place with the VIEs in a manner that would materially and adversely affect their ability to pay dividends and other distributions to us. See “—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—Our contractual arrangements with the VIEs may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or the VIEs owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.” For more details of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with the VIEs and Their Shareholders.” In addition, the incurrence of indebtedness by our PRC subsidiaries could result in operating and financing covenants and undertakings to creditors that would restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us.
Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business. See “—If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.”
Increases in labor costs and enforcement of stricter labor laws and regulations in China may adversely affect our business and our profitability.
China’s overall economy and the average wage in China have increased in recent years and are expected to grow. The average wage level for our employees has also increased in recent years. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will increase. Unless we are able to pass on these increased labor costs to our users, our profitability and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
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In addition, we have been subject to stricter regulatory requirements in terms of entering into labor contracts with our employees and paying various statutory employee benefits, including pensions, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. Pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules, employers are subject to stricter requirements in terms of signing labor contracts, minimum wages, paying remuneration, determining the term of employee’s probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts. In the event that we decide to terminate some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices, the PRC Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may limit our ability to effect those changes in a desirable or cost-effective manner, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
As the interpretation and implementation of labor-related laws and regulations are still evolving, our employment practices may violate labor-related laws and regulations in China, which may subject us to labor disputes or government investigations. We cannot assure you that we have complied or will be able to comply with all labor-related law and regulations including those relating to obligations to make social insurance payments and contribute to the housing provident funds. If we are deemed to have violated labor laws and regulations, we could be required to provide additional compensation to our employees and our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.
You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments, or bringing actions in China against us or our management based on foreign laws.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, while we conduct substantially all of our operations in China, and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, all our senior executive officers reside within China for a significant portion of the time and all our senior executive officers are PRC nationals. As a result, it may be difficult for our shareholders to effect service of process upon us or those persons inside China. In addition, China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the Cayman Islands and many other jurisdictions. Therefore, recognition and enforcement in China of judgments of a court in any of these non-PRC jurisdictions in relation to any matter not subject to a binding arbitration provision may be difficult or impossible.
It may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigation or collect evidence within China.
Shareholder claims or regulatory investigation that are common in the United States generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to providing information needed for regulatory investigations or litigations initiated outside China. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States may not be efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, which took effect in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the PRC territory. The Provisions on Strengthening the Confidentiality and Archive Management Work Relating to the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, which took effect on March 31, 2023, provide that the investigation and evidence collection relating to the oversea securities offering and listing of PRC domestic companies by the overseas securities regulatory authorities and other relevant authorities must be conducted through a cross-border cooperation mechanism for supervision and administration, and that the PRC domestic companies must obtain prior consent from the CSRC or other authorities before cooperating with such overseas authorities in connection with the inspections or investigations or providing documents to such overseas securities regulatory authorities or other relevant authorities. The inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase the difficulties you face in protecting your interests. See also “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risks Relating to Our Shares and ADSs—You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through Hong Kong or U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law” for risks associated with investing in us as a Cayman Islands company.
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PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of our overseas offerings to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Under PRC laws and regulations, we are permitted to utilize the proceeds from our overseas offerings to fund our PRC subsidiaries by making loans to or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, subject to applicable government registration, statutory limitations on amount and approval requirements. For more details, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Foreign Exchange.” These PRC laws and regulations may significantly limit our ability to use Renminbi converted from the net proceeds of our overseas offerings to fund the establishment of new entities in China by our PRC subsidiaries, to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies through our PRC subsidiaries, or to establish new VIEs in China. Moreover, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary registrations or filings, or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans to our PRC subsidiaries or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or filings, or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds we received or expect to receive from our offshore offerings and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
On December 26, 2017, the NDRC issued the Management Rules for Overseas Investment by Enterprises. On January 31, 2018, the Catalog on Overseas Investment in Sensitive Industries (2018 Edition) was promulgated. Overseas investment governed by these rules refers to the investment activities conducted by an enterprise located in the PRC territory either directly or via an overseas enterprise under its control through investment with assets and equities or providing financing or guarantees in order to obtain overseas ownership, control, management rights, and other related interests, and overseas investment by a PRC individual through overseas enterprises under his or her control is also subject to these rules. According to these rules, any overseas investment in a sensitive industry or any direct investment by a Chinese enterprise in a non-sensitive industry with an investment amount of over US$300 million requires prior approval from, or filing with, the NDRC respectively, and for overseas investments indirectly by Chinese investors (including PRC individuals) in a non-sensitive industry with an investment amount of over US$300 million need to be reported. However, there remain uncertainties with respect to the interpretation and application of these rules, including whether our overseas investments will be subject to these rules. If we fail to obtain the approval, complete the filing, or report our overseas investment with our proceeds (as the case may be) in a timely manner provided that these rules are applicable, we may be forced to suspend or cease our investment, or be subject to penalties or other liabilities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Government regulations of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.
The PRC government imposes regulations on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from or registration with appropriate governmental authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, we need to obtain SAFE approval to use cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs to pay off their respective debt in a currency other than Renminbi owned to entities outside China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside China in a currency other than Renminbi. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Foreign Exchange.” Any failure to comply with applicable foreign exchange regulations may subject us to administrative fines or, if serious, criminal penalties, which could materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. We cannot assure you that additional restrictions on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currencies for current account transactions will not be imposed in the future. We receive substantially all of our revenues in Renminbi. If we are unable to obtain sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.
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Any failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to overseas investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise expose us or our PRC resident beneficial owners to liability and penalties under PRC law.
SAFE requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes certain material events. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Foreign Exchange—Offshore Investment.”
If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, our PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing their profits and any proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with SAFE registration requirements could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.
However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents or entities holding direct or indirect interests in our company, nor can we compel our beneficial owners to comply with SAFE registration requirements. As of the date of this annual report, our founder, Mr. Xiang Li, Mr. Tie Li, and ten other PRC residents known to us that currently hold direct or indirect ownership interests in our company had completed the required initial registrations with SAFE. Mr. Xiang Li and four other officers, directors, or PRC residents are planning to continue to update the registrations with SAFE with respect to the capital of their respective offshore holding vehicles. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders or beneficial owners that are PRC residents, including the beneficiaries of certain trusts directly or indirectly holding interests in our company, have complied with, and will in the future make, obtain, or update any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE regulations. Failure by such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE regulations, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC subsidiaries, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Certain PRC regulations regarding cross-border mergers and acquisitions establish procedures and requirements for certain acquisitions of PRC companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
A number of PRC laws and regulations have established procedures and requirements for merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors, which might be time consuming and complex. In addition to the Anti-monopoly Law itself, these include the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, and the Rules of the Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System of Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors promulgated in 2011. These laws and regulations impose requirements in some instances that the Ministry of Commerce be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. The Anti-Monopoly Law, which was amended on June 24, 2022 and took effect on August 1, 2022, requires that the anti-monopoly enforcement agency be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered. The Anti-Monopoly Law also increases the fines for illegal concentration of business operators to no more than ten percent of its last year’s sales revenue if the concentration of business operator has or may have an effect of excluding or limiting competitions, or a fine of up to RMB5 million if the concentration of business operator does not have an effect of excluding or limiting competition. The Anti-Monopoly Law provides that the authorities should investigate a transaction where there is any evidence that the concentration has or may have the effect of eliminating or restricting competitions, even if such concentration does not reach the filing threshold. In addition, on February 7, 2021, the Anti-Monopoly Committee of the State Council published the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for the Internet Platform Economy Sector, which stipulates that any concentration of undertakings involving variable interest entities is subject to anti-monopoly review.
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In addition, the Rules of the Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System of Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by the Ministry of Commerce, and prohibit any attempt to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. On December 19, 2020, the NDRC and the Ministry of Commerce jointly issued the Measures for the Security Review for Foreign Investment, which took effect on January 18, 2021. These measures set forth the provisions concerning the security review mechanism on foreign investment, including, among others, the types of investments subject to review, and the review scopes and procedures. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the regulations to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including approval from the Ministry of Commerce and other PRC government authorities, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
Under SAFE regulations, PRC residents who participate in a stock incentive plan in an overseas publicly listed company are required to register with SAFE or its local branches and complete certain other procedures. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Employment and Social Welfare—Employee Stock Incentive Plan.” We and our PRC resident employees who participate in our share incentive plans are subject to these regulations as we are publicly listed in the United States. We are in the process of registration with the local counterparts of SAFE for our PRC resident employees who participate in our share incentive plans as required under the rules. If we or any of these PRC resident employees fail to comply with these regulations, we or such employees may be subject to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional incentive plans for our directors, executive officers, employees, and consultants under PRC law.
If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of China with a “de facto management body” within China is considered a PRC resident enterprise. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall management of the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. The State Taxation Administration, issued a circular in April 2009 and amended it in January 2014, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners like us, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Taxation Administration’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to this circular, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in China; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in China; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in China; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in China.
We believe that none of our entities outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we will be subject to the enterprise income tax on our global income at the rate of 25% and we will be required to comply with PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In addition, gains realized on the sale or other disposition of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs may be subject to PRC tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty), if such gains are deemed to be from PRC sources. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.
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We may not be able to obtain certain benefits under the arrangement between mainland China and Hong Kong on dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries to us through our Hong Kong subsidiary.
We are a holding company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and as such rely on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries to satisfy part of our liquidity requirements. Pursuant to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, a withholding tax rate of 10% currently applies to dividends paid by a PRC “resident enterprise” to a foreign enterprise investor, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for preferential tax treatment. Pursuant to the Arrangement Between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, such withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns no less than 25% of a PRC enterprise. Furthermore, the Administrative Measures for Non-Resident Enterprises to Enjoy Treatments under Treaties, which took effect in January 2020, require non-resident enterprises to determine whether they are qualified to enjoy the preferential tax treatment under the tax treaties and file reports and materials with the tax authorities. In addition, based on the Notice on Issues concerning Beneficial Owner in Tax Treaties issued on February 3, 2018 by the State Taxation Administration, which took effect on April 1, 2018, when determining the applicant’s status of the “beneficial owner” regarding tax treatments in connection with dividends, interests or royalties in the tax treaties, several factors, including without limitation, whether the applicant is obligated to pay more than 50% of the applicant’s income in twelve months to residents in third country or region, whether the business operated by the applicant constitutes the actual business activities, and whether the counterparty country or region to the tax treaties does not levy any tax or grant tax exemption on the income or levy tax at an extremely low rate, will be taken into account, and it will be analyzed according to the actual circumstances of the specific cases. There are also other conditions for enjoying the reduced withholding tax rate according to other tax rules and regulations. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—PRC Taxation.” We intend to re-invest all earnings, if any, generated from our PRC subsidiaries for the operation and expansion of our business in China. Should our tax policy change to allow for offshore distribution of our earnings, we would be subject to a significant withholding tax. Our determination regarding our qualification to enjoy the preferential tax treatment could be challenged by the tax authority and we may not be able to complete the necessary filings with the tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiaries to our Hong Kong subsidiary.
We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.
In February 2015, the State Taxation Administration issued the Public Notice Regarding Certain Enterprise Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Resident Enterprises. The notice extends its tax jurisdiction to not only indirect transfers but also transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets, through the offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, the notice provides certain criteria on how to assess reasonable commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. The notice also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of the taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring the taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the nonresident enterprise being the transferor, or the transferee, or the PRC entity which directly owned the taxable assets may report to the tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. On October 17, 2017, the State Taxation Administration issued the Announcement of the State Taxation Administration on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, which took effect on December 1, 2017. This announcement further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of nonresident enterprise income tax.
We face uncertainties on the reporting and consequences of future private equity financing transactions, share exchanges or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises. The PRC tax authorities may pursue such non-resident enterprises with respect to a filing or the transferees with respect to withholding obligation, and request our PRC subsidiaries to assist in the filing. As a result, we and non-resident enterprises in such transactions may become at risk of being subject to filing obligations or being taxed under Public Notice Regarding Certain Enterprise Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Resident Enterprises and the Announcement of the State Taxation Administration on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, and may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with them or to establish that we and our non-resident enterprises should not be taxed under these regulations, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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If the custodians or authorized users of controlling non-tangible assets of our company, including our corporate chops and seals, fail to fulfill their responsibilities, or misappropriate or misuse these assets, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Under PRC laws, legal documents for corporate transactions are executed using the chops or seal of the signing entity or with the signature of a legal representative whose designation is registered and filed with the relevant branch of the SAMR.
Although we usually utilize chops to enter into contracts, the designated legal representatives of each of our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, and their subsidiaries have the apparent authority to enter into contracts on behalf of such entities without chops and bind such entities. All designated legal representatives of our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, and their subsidiaries are members of our senior management team who have signed employment agreements with us or our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, and their subsidiaries under which they agree to abide by various duties they owe to us. In order to maintain the physical security of our chops and chops of our PRC entities, we generally store these items in secured locations accessible only by the authorized personnel in the legal or finance department of each of our subsidiaries, the VIEs, and their subsidiaries. Although we monitor such authorized personnel, there is no assurance such procedures will prevent all instances of abuse or negligence. Accordingly, if any of our authorized personnel misuse or misappropriate our corporate chops or seals, we could encounter difficulties in maintaining control over the entities and experience significant disruption to our operations. If a designated legal representative obtains control of the chops in an effort to obtain control over any of our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, or their subsidiaries, we or our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, and their subsidiaries would need to pass a new shareholders or board resolution to designate a new legal representative and we would need to take legal action to seek the return of the chops, apply for new chops with the authorities, or otherwise seek legal redress for the violation of the representative’s fiduciary duties to us, which could involve significant time and resources and divert management attention away from our regular business. In addition, the affected entity may not be able to recover corporate assets that are sold or transferred out of our control in the event of such a misappropriation if a transferee relies on the apparent authority of the representative and acts in good faith.
Risks Relating to Our Shares and ADSs
The trading price of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs has been and may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.
The trading price of our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs has been volatile since they started to trade on the respective stock exchange, and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. In addition, the stock market in general, and the market prices for companies with operations in China in particular, have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. The securities of some China-based companies that have listed their securities in the United States have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings in recent years, including, in some cases, substantial declines in the trading prices of their securities. The trading performances of these companies’ securities after their offerings may affect the attitudes of investors towards China-based companies listed in the United States in general, which consequently may impact the trading performance of our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or other matters of other China-based companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards China-based companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have engaged in any inappropriate activities. In particular, the heightened geopolitical tensions in 2025 and the resulting shifts in international capital flows have contributed and may continue to contribute to extreme volatility in the global stock markets. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs. Volatility or a lack of positive performance in our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs price may also adversely affect our ability to retain key employees, most of whom have been granted options or other equity incentives.
In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:
● variations in our revenues, earnings and cash flow;
● announcements of new investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors;
● announcements of new services and expansions by us or our competitors;
● changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;
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● detrimental adverse publicity about us, our services or our industry;
● fluctuations in order intake, uncertainties in delivery outlook, and discrepancies between projected and actual vehicle deliveries;
● additions or departures of key personnel;
● release of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding equity securities or sales of additional equity securities;
● time zone difference, trading volume discrepancies and potential arbitrage between the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Nasdaq;
● actual or potential litigation or regulatory investigations; and
● regulatory developments affecting us, our users, suppliers, or our industry.
Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs will trade.
In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. Any class action suit could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our dual-class voting structure will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs may view as beneficial.
Pursuant to our sixth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our authorized and issued ordinary shares consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders’ vote, each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share and each holder of Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters subject to vote at our general meetings, except that each Class A ordinary share and each Class B ordinary share shall entitle its holder to one vote on a poll at a general meeting in respect of a resolution on any of the following matters: (a) any amendment to the memorandum and articles of association, including the variation of the rights attached to any class of shares; (b) the appointment, election or removal of any independent non-executive director; (c) the appointment or removal of the auditors; or (d) the voluntary liquidation or winding-up of our company. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Class B ordinary shares shall only be held by the Founder (as defined in our sixth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) or a Director Holding Vehicle (as defined in our sixth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association). Subject to the Hong Kong Listing Rules or other applicable laws or regulations, each Class B ordinary share shall be automatically converted into one Class A ordinary share upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the death of the holder of such Class B ordinary share (or, where the holder is a Director Holding Vehicle, the death of the Founder); (ii) the holder of such Class B ordinary share ceasing to be a Director or a Director Holding Vehicle for any reason; (iii) the holder of such Class B ordinary share (or, where the holder is a Director Holding Vehicle, the Founder) being deemed by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to be incapacitated for the purpose of performing his duties as a Director; (iv) the holder of such Class B ordinary share (or, where the holder is a Director Holding Vehicle, the Founder) being deemed by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to no longer meet the requirements of a director set out in the Hong Kong Listing Rules; or (v) any direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment, or disposition of the beneficial ownership of, or economic interest in, such Class B ordinary share or the control over the voting rights attached to such Class B Ordinary Share through voting proxy or otherwise to any person, including by reason that a Director Holding Vehicle no longer complies with Rule 8A.18(2) of the Hong Kong Listing Rules (in which case our company and the Founder or the Director Holding Vehicle must notify the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as soon as practicable with details of the non-compliance), other than a transfer of the legal title to such Class B ordinary share by the Founder to a Director Holding Vehicle wholly-owned and wholly controlled by him, or by a Director Holding Vehicle to the Founder or another Director Holding Vehicle wholly-owned and wholly controlled by the Founder.
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As of March 18, 2026, Mr. Xiang Li, our chairman and chief executive officer, beneficially owned 355,812,080 Class B ordinary shares and 108,557,400 Class A ordinary shares constituting the CEO Award Shares, representing 68.7% of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares assuming the restrictions for none of the CEO Award Shares are released, due to the disparate voting powers associated with our dual-class voting structure. Mr. Li will continue to have considerable influence over matters requiring shareholder approval. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay, or prevent a change of control of our company, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover, or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares or ADSs may view as beneficial.
Our dual-class voting structure may render the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares ineligible for inclusion in certain stock market indices, and thus adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the ADSs.
Certain index providers have announced restrictions on including companies with multi-class share structures in certain of their indices. For example, S&P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell have changed their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500, to exclude companies with multiple classes of shares and companies whose public shareholders hold no more than 5% of total voting power from being added to such indices. As a result, our dual-class voting structure may prevent the inclusion of the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares in such indices, which could adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs, the market price for our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs, the market price for our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume for our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs to decline.
The sale or availability for sale of a substantial number of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs could adversely affect their market price.
Sales of a substantial number of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.
Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, you must rely on price appreciation of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs for return on your investment.
Given the intense competitive landscape and the volatility of our profitability, we currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.
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Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends. Our shareholders may also by ordinary resolution declare dividends, but no dividend can exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiary, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs. There is no guarantee that our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased the Class A ordinary shares or ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.
There can be no assurance that we will not be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares.
A non-U.S. corporation, such as our company, will be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income (the “income test”); or (ii) at least 50% of the value of its assets (generally determined on the basis of a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). Although the law in this regard is not entirely clear, we treat our consolidated VIEs and their subsidiaries as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes because we control their management decisions and are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits associated with them. As a result, we consolidated their results of operations in our consolidated U.S. GAAP financial statements. If it were determined, however, that we are not the owner of the consolidated VIEs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be treated as a PFIC for the current taxable year and any subsequent taxable year. Assuming that we are the owner of our consolidated VIEs and their subsidiaries for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and based on the current and anticipated value of our assets and composition of our income and assets, we do not believe that we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2025 and do not presently expect to be a PFIC for the current taxable year or the foreseeable future.
While we do not expect to be or become a PFIC, no assurance can be given in this regard because the determination of whether we are or will become a PFIC for any taxable year is a fact-intensive inquiry made on an annual basis that depends, in part, upon the composition and classification of our income and assets. Fluctuations in the market prices of our ADSs and Class A ordinary shares may cause us to be or become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years because the value of our assets for the purpose of the asset test, including the value of our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles, may be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs from time to time (which may be volatile). The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets.
If we were to be or become a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder (as defined in “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations”) holds our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. Holder. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
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Our sixth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association give us power to take certain actions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us, which could limit our shareholders’ opportunity to sell their shares, including Class A ordinary shares and ADSs, at a premium.
Our sixth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association give us power to take certain actions that could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. Subject to the conditions that (i) no new class of shares with voting rights superior to those of Class A ordinary shares will be created and (ii) any variations in the relative rights as between the different classes will not result in the creation of new class of shares with voting rights superior to those of Class A ordinary shares, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our Class A ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs may be materially and adversely affected. However, our exercise of any such power that may limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions under the memorandum and articles of association after our listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is subject to our overriding obligations to comply with all applicable Hong Kong laws and regulations, the Hong Kong Listing Rules, and the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Buy-backs.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through Hong Kong or U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our sixth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in Hong Kong or some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than Hong Kong or the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, with respect to Cayman Islands companies, plaintiffs may face special obstacles, including but not limited to those relating to jurisdiction and standing, in attempting to assert derivative claims in state or federal courts of the United States.
Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than copies of the memorandum and articles of association, the register of mortgages and charges, and any special resolutions passed by the shareholders) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as Hong Kong or the United States. If we choose to follow home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to Hong Kong or U.S. domestic issuers.
As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in Hong Kong or the United States. Our public shareholders may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to them were they investing in a Hong Kong or United States domestic issuer.
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Your investment in our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs may be impacted if we are encouraged to issue CDRs in the future.
PRC government authorities have issued new rules that allow PRC technology companies listed outside China to list on the mainland stock market through the creation of Chinese Depositary Receipts, or CDRs. However, as the CDR mechanism is newly established, there are substantial uncertainties in the interpretation and implementation of these rules. We might consider and be encouraged by the evolving PRC governmental policies to issue CDRs and allow investors to trade our CDRs on PRC stock exchanges in the future. However, there are uncertainties as to whether a pursuit of CDRs in China would bring positive or negative impact on your investment in our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.
The conversion of the 2028 Notes or any convertible notes that we may issue in the future may dilute the ownership interest of the existing shareholders and existing ADS holders, including holders who had previously converted their notes.
In April 2021, we issued US$862.5 million 0.25% convertible senior notes due 2028, or the 2028 Notes, which may be converted at an initial conversion rate of 35.2818 ADSs per US$1,000 principal amount of notes (which represents an initial conversion price of US$28.34 per ADS) at each holder’s option at any time on or after November 1, 2027, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of May 1, 2028, or at the option of the holders upon satisfaction of certain conditions and during certain periods prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding November 1, 2027. The holders have the right, at the option of each holder, to require us to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes or any portion of the principal thereof that is equal to US$1,000 principal amount (or an integral multiple thereof) for cash on May 1, 2026. As the conversion of the 2028 Notes may take place anytime during such periods if the conditions are fulfilled, the conversion of the 2028 Notes and any convertible notes that we may issue in the future will dilute the ownership interests of existing shareholders and existing ADS holders. Any sales in the public market of the ADSs issuable upon such conversion may increase the opportunities to create short positions with respect to the ADSs, which could adversely affect prevailing trading prices of our ADSs. In addition, the existence of such convertible notes may encourage short selling by market participants because the conversion of such notes could depress the price of our ADSs. The price of our ADSs could be affected by possible sales of our ADSs by investors who view the convertible notes as a more attractive means of equity participation in us and by hedging or arbitrage trading activity, which we expect to occur involving our ADSs.
We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversion of the convertible notes in cash, to repurchase the convertible notes upon a fundamental change, to repurchase the convertible notes on contractually specified repurchase dates, and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or to repurchase the convertible notes.
Holders of the 2028 Notes have the right to require us to repurchase their notes on two contractually specified dates or upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture), in each case, at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest. We may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of the notes surrendered therefor or to settle the notes being converted. Our failure to repurchase the notes at a time when the repurchase is required by the indenture governing the notes or to pay any cash payable on future conversions of the notes as required by the indenture governing the notes would constitute a default under the indenture. A default under the indenture or a fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under agreements governing any of our future indebtedness outstanding at the time. If the repayment of any outstanding future indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the notes or make cash payments upon conversions thereof.
Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.
Short selling is the practice of selling securities that a seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller’s interest for the price of the security to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions regarding issuers and their business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling securities short.
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Public companies listed in the United States that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of short selling. Much of the scrutiny and negative publicity has centered on allegations of a lack of effective internal control over financial reporting resulting in financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result, many of these companies are now conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations and, in the interim, are subject to shareholder lawsuits or SEC enforcement actions.
We may be the subject of unfavorable allegations made by short seller in the future. It is not clear what effect such negative publicity could have on us. If we were to become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we could have to expend a significant amount of resources to investigate such allegations or defend ourselves. While we would strongly defend against any such short seller attacks, we may be constrained in the manner in which we can proceed against the short seller by principles of freedom of speech, applicable state law, or issues of commercial confidentiality. Such a situation could be costly and time-consuming and could distract our management from growing our business. Even if such allegations are ultimately proven to be groundless, allegations against us could severely impact our business operations and shareholders’ equity, and any investment in our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs could be greatly reduced or rendered worthless.
ADS holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares provides that, subject to the depositary’s right to require a claim to be submitted to arbitration, the federal or state courts in the City of New York have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine claims arising under the deposit agreement (including claims arising under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act) and in that regard, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our Class A ordinary shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.
If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before investing in the ADSs.
If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us and/or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver provision is not enforced, to the extent a court action proceeds, it would proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs shall relieve us or the depositary from our respective obligations to comply with the Securities Act and Exchange Act, and investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.
We are a Cayman Islands company and the majority of our assets are located outside of Hong Kong or the United States. Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China. In addition, most of our current directors and officers are not nationals or residents of United States or Hong Kong. Substantially all of the assets of these persons may be located outside Hong Kong or the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in Hong Kong or the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under Hong Kong laws, the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers.
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We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies.
Because we are a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:
● the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC;
● the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act;
● the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and
● the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.
We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis through press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely than that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
As an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the Nasdaq listing standards.
As a Cayman Islands company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, we are subject to Nasdaq listing standards. However, the Nasdaq rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq listing standards. For example, neither the Companies Act of the Cayman Islands nor our sixth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association requires a majority of our directors to be independent and we could include non-independent directors as members of our compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee under the Nasdaq listing standards, and our independent directors would not necessarily hold regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present. As a result of certain home country practices we may follow in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under the Nasdaq listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. In addition, as our ordinary shares have been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and we are subject to the Hong Kong Listing Rules, those requirements may further change the degree of protection for our shareholders to the extent they differ from the Nasdaq listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs are voted.
Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights as our registered shareholders. As a holder of ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to cast any votes at such meetings. You will only be able to exercise the voting rights that are carried by the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary. If we instruct the depositary to ask for your instructions, then upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try, as far as practicable, to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs in accordance with these instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to ask for your voting instructions, the depositary may still vote in accordance with the instructions you give, but it is not required to do so. You will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs unless you withdraw the shares and become a registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. Under our sixth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, an annual general meeting must be called by not less than 21 days’ notice in writing and any other general meeting (including an extraordinary general meeting) must be called by not less than 14 days’ notice in writing.
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When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice of the meeting to withdraw the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares to allow you to attend the general meeting and to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In addition, under our sixth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, for the purposes of determining those shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and fix in advance a record date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of such a record date may prevent you from withdrawing the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date, so that you would not be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. If we ask for your instructions, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We have agreed to give the depositary sufficient prior notice of shareholder meetings. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs are voted and you may have no legal remedy if the Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
The depositary for our ADSs will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not vote at shareholders’ meetings, except in limited circumstances, which could adversely affect your interests.
Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, if you do not vote, the depositary will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders’ meetings unless:
● we have failed to timely provide the depositary with notice of meeting and related voting materials;
● we have instructed the depositary that we do not wish a discretionary proxy to be given;
● we have informed the depositary that there is substantial opposition as to a matter to be voted on at the meeting;
● a matter to be voted on at the meeting would have a material adverse impact on shareholders; or
● the voting at the meeting is to be made on a show of hands.
The effect of this discretionary proxy is that if you do not vote at shareholders’ meetings, you cannot prevent our Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted, except under the circumstances described above. This may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence the management of our company. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.
Your rights to pursue claims against the depositary as a holder of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement.
Under the deposit agreement, any action or proceeding against or involving the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby or by virtue of owning the ADSs may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and you, as a holder of our ADSs, will have irrevocably waived any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or proceeding.
The depositary may, in its sole discretion, require that any dispute or difference arising from the relationship created by the deposit agreement be referred to and finally settled by an arbitration conducted under the terms described in the deposit agreement. These arbitration provisions govern such dispute or difference and do not, in any event, preclude you from pursuing claims under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act in state or federal courts.
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You may not receive dividends or other distributions on our Class A ordinary shares and you may not receive any value for them, if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to you.
The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on Class A ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying our ADSs, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of Class A ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act but that are not properly registered or distributed under an applicable exemption from registration. The depositary may also determine that it is not feasible to distribute certain property through the mail. Additionally, the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may determine not to distribute such property. We have no obligation to register under U.S. securities laws any ADSs, Class A ordinary shares, rights or other securities received through such distributions. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, Class A ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs. This means that you may not receive distributions we make on our Class A ordinary shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you. These restrictions may cause a material decline in the value of our ADSs.
You may experience dilution of your holdings due to inability to participate in rights offerings.
We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.
You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of our ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.