14 Jul 2025
As part of the Doing Business in a Changing China 2025 summer school programme hosted by the International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), international students visited the Li Auto Changzhou Production Base on 8 July 2025. This immersive experience showcased China’s leadership in smart electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and cutting-edge automotive technology.
Led by a professional guide from the Public Affairs Department at Li Auto’s Changzhou Base, students explored Li Auto's technological innovations including their industry-leading 5C ultra-fast charging system capable of delivering 500 km range in just 12 minutes’ charge, and the hybrid range-extender technology that combines electric and fuel-powered solutions. The showcase included flagship models like the Li MEGA family MPV and L-series SUVs, featuring advanced driver-assistance systems with lidar technology and interactive 3D cockpit designs that embody the company's "Create a Mobile Home, Create Happiness" philosophy.
The factory tour offered an impressive insight into Li Auto's smart manufacturing capabilities, where students witnessed first-hand the highly automated production processes. "The production line was significantly more automated than my expectations," observed one impressed student. "Testing conditions were created to closely match real life situations - I thought the dynamic rain chamber was a brilliant example of robust testing." Samawer Sohail Cheema Rehman from the UK added, "I found the streamlined operations interesting, such as the increased automation of tedious labor by using machinery. Seeing the humanoids in action and working with such precision reinforced my belief in the deep collaboration between humans and future AI prospects."
Charisma Dewi Sephira Harianto from Indonesia marveled at the advanced manufacturing: "It is certainly an exciting opportunity to see Li Auto's manufacturing process of advanced tech cars. Almost everything is automated in the making process, even the welding. It's an eye-opening experience seeing the cars and the parts." She particularly appreciated the safety measures, adding, "I personally admired the level of safety considerations in the factory design, like the designated human walking pathways with cooling fans above - very thoughtful." Jocelyn Ester Pari Matulessy, another Indonesian student with a passion for automobiles, shared comparative insights: "The factory tour was especially interesting to me because I have a personal interest in cars. In Indonesia, the EV market is still developing and traditional petrol cars remain dominant, so it was fascinating to see how advanced the technology is here. I also enjoyed comparing this visit with a previous tour I did of the Volkswagen-SAIC factory in Shanghai."
During the visit, Xiaomei Jiang, a representative from the Public Affairs Department,explained their data-driven approach to production, using end-to-end supply chain integration and real-time analytics to optimise quality control and efficiency. The visit also highlighted how Li Auto is tackling key industry challenges like charging infrastructure through its nationwide network of over 2,800 supercharging stations and innovative thermal management systems that help maintain optimal battery performance. This hands-on experience provided summer school participants with a valuable exposure to China's rapidly evolving new energy vehicle sector and the technologies driving its global competitiveness. The visit demonstrated how Chinese manufacturers like Li Auto are redefining automotive industry standards through smart manufacturing solutions and user-centric product development.
The Doing Business in a Changing China 2025 summer school programme at IBSS continues to bridge academic theory with real-world business practice through these corporate visits. The final company visit in the series will further enhance students' understanding of China's dynamic commercial landscape.
14 Jul 2025