Li Auto ironically reacted to the launch of EA211 engine production in China for Volkswagen hybrids; these units will function as generators in the brand's new models. The technology will debut on the flagship Volkswagen ID. Era 9X SUV, with pre-orders starting in March. Development has been underway since 2020.
Li Auto's Director of Social Communications congratulated Volkswagen on the "successful launch into mass production of a technology that is 'outdated, very unsustainable, and has little prospect for development'."
This comment is a continuation of a 2020 dispute—then, Volkswagen China head Stephan Wöllenstein called hybrids with a gasoline generator extremely unsustainable, and R&D head Volkmar Widmann called them outdated and unpromising.
In response, Li Auto invited journalists to compare the fuel consumption of the Li One model with Audi and Porsche hybrids. By the end of 2021, company founder Li Xiang reported that Li One sales exceeded the total sales of all Volkswagen SUVs in China.
A Volkswagen representative responded only by thanking "all Chinese automotive professionals for their efforts" and expressed hope for a joint contribution to the development of the industry.