Li Auto Signs Deals to Enter Six Asian Markets
The Chinese automaker has appointed distributors across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong as it expands abroad beyond its domestic market.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Car Types
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Li Auto signed distributor deals to enter Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam and Myanmar, announced Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The agreements were signed at a ceremony in Beijing, with Wearnes Automotive named as distributor in Singapore.
Why it matters
China's domestic car market has grown increasingly competitive and unprofitable, prompting automakers to look abroad. Chairman and CEO Li Xiang said in September the company would enter right-hand drive markets and position itself as a premium brand overseas.
The Mega, a 5.4-metre seven-seat vehicle, offers 400 kW of maximum motor power, a 103 kWh battery and a quoted range of up to 700 km. Its maximum charging rate is 520 kW, while Li Auto reported a second-quarter net loss of 1.7 billion yuan.
The players
Li Auto
Li Auto is a Chinese electric vehicle maker known for its extended-range electric SUVs, which it sells primarily in China.
Li Xiang
Li Xiang is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Li Auto, who has led the company's push into premium and overseas markets.
Wearnes Automotive
Wearnes Automotive is a Singapore-based automotive group that has been appointed as Li Auto's distributor in Singapore.
The details
Li Auto signed the entry agreements with distributors at a ceremony in Beijing. The Singapore showroom will be located at 45 Leng Kee Road, and the company plans to launch its first right-hand drive model, the Mega, in 2027.
Timeline
June 2026: Li Auto spun off an auto chip venture.
September 2026: Li Xiang announced plans to enter right-hand drive markets on an earnings call.
November 10, 2026: Li Auto announced its Asia-Pacific market entries.
January or February 2027: First deliveries in Singapore are expected.
Roadmap
Li Auto's expansion reflects a broader pattern among Chinese carmakers seeking growth abroad as competition at home has intensified and margins have narrowed. The move positions the company against rivals that have similarly turned to right-hand drive markets in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Drivers in the newly covered markets may see Li Auto's right-hand drive Mega become available once deliveries begin in 2027. Buyers will have to weigh the vehicle's range and charging figures against local dealer support as sales ramp up.
The takeaway
Li Auto's push abroad shows how Chinese carmakers are looking beyond saturated home markets for growth. Readers in the target regions should watch for local pricing and delivery timelines as 2027 approaches.
What happens next
First deliveries in Singapore are expected in January or February 2027, and sales in the other new markets are scheduled to start during 2027.
Further reading
For more on the vehicles driving this expansion, explore our guide to Car Types.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Business Times.
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