Dmitry Rogov, the founder of RogovMobil, discussed with socialbites.ca the challenges drivers face when trying to regain access to Li Auto vehicles after crashes. Rogov notes that the company imports cars from overseas and has repeatedly encountered roadblocks during repairs and reactivation following collisions.
Rogov explained that details about Li Auto models are becoming clearer. Customers report that when airbags deploy, a vehicle can end up as a nonfunctional shell. A car may look repairable from the outside, yet cannot be restarted after an accident. In many cases, it must be sent to China for proper servicing. These concerns were shared with socialbites.ca by Rogov. The typical market value of Li Auto crossovers in Russia ranges roughly from 6.5 million to 10 million rubles, depending on configuration.
According to Rogov, there is no definitive explanation yet, but there is a suspicion that Li Auto aims to minimize the number of damaged cars on public roads. The company is reportedly guiding customers in China to return damaged vehicles for processing at original service centers and, if possible, purchase discounted replacements from dealers.
Rogov added that this approach could work well in markets with an established dealer network. In Russia, the absence of an official network creates significant gaps that require attention.
Auto collector Sergei Lomonov also spoke with socialbites.ca about a similar situation with the Li Auto L7 after an accident that produced a vehicle blockage. He noted that colleagues contacted the factory in hopes of a resolution but were told the issue could not be fixed locally, and the only option offered was a discount on a new car.
Lomonov mentioned that rebooting the car’s electronic systems in Russia after an accident was unlikely, and a formal complaint to the Chinese automaker followed.
Workarounds
Representatives supplying spare parts for Chinese electric vehicles acknowledge that Li Auto models can lock up after a crash and even when a 12 volt battery is depleted. They explain that if airbags deploy, the vehicle may lock and the fault can only be cleared with diagnostic tools and software designed to fix this fault.
The main hurdle is the lack of suitable diagnostic equipment in Russia to address the fault. This observation came from Oleg Tumanov, founder of Kazandigital, a supplier of Chinese electric vehicles and parts.
Some owners, willing to take risks with third party software adjustments, have attempted remote fixes through a Chinese dealer. Such services can cost around 15 thousand rubles but carry risks for high tech electronics. Tumanov noted that there are channels with Chinese partners who can diagnose a car remotely via an internet connection, read errors, and clear them when possible.
Battery may fail
Li Auto vehicles can become locked even after minor malfunctions if the standard 12 volt battery is drained. In such cases, access often requires an online connection to a dealer in China for unlocking. The process for hybrids after an accident is particularly challenging: if airbags have deployed, they must be removed, replaced, and the car must be connected to a remote diagnostic server.
Tumanov acknowledged that this is a theoretical description and has not been tested in practice yet. Avilon Electro, a dealer that provides Li Auto models and other high tech Chinese cars, reported no widespread issues to date with spare parts or repairs. Sergei Melyukh, the director of Avilon Electro, stated that parts for these vehicles are typically delivered faster than for premium European cars. Body repair parts are available with reasonable waiting times.