We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Automotive Stocks to Invest in According to Analysts. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Li Auto Inc. (NASDAQ:LI) stands against the other automotive stocks.
The automotive sector is navigating a complex and uncertain landscape, shaped by economic volatility, regulatory shifts, and evolving consumer demand. One of the biggest concerns recently has been the proposed 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, which triggered a strong response from MEMA, a leading vehicle suppliers trade association. MEMA warned that such tariffs could jeopardize thousands of American jobs, raise costs for consumers, and disrupt the highly integrated North American supply chain, which is essential to maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the global auto market. While a temporary agreement to delay these tariffs provides some relief, uncertainty remains, especially as new challenges emerge, including the halt in funding for the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. This funding pause could slow the country’s transition to EVs by limiting the expansion of charging networks and reducing incentives for adoption.
Fitch Ratings, in a report published in December, assigned a ‘neutral’ outlook to the industry, expecting 2% growth in global light vehicle sales. Pricing pressure is likely to rise as competition in the EV segment intensifies, while inflation may shift consumer preferences toward more affordable vehicles. That said, they expect interest rate cuts could support stronger vehicle demand, and automakers’ strategic diversification into EVs, autonomous tech, and digital mobility solutions remains a key growth driver.
Demand expected to remain healthy
Despite the headwinds, the automotive industry remains on a path of steady growth. MarketsandMarkets’ ‘Global Automotive Outlook-2025’ projects global light vehicle sales to grow 1.3% in 2025, reaching 85.1 million units. This growth will be fuelled by rising EV and hybrid adoption, advancements in battery technology, and the expansion of autonomous and connected vehicle initiatives. Automakers are also pushing for wider commercialization of self-driving technology, 5G connectivity in vehicles, and digital car sales platforms, shaping the industry’s future. The report further elaborates that China continues to dominate the global automotive market, accounting for over 26 million light vehicle sales in 2024, nearly 50% of the global total. The country also leads EV battery production, manufacturing over 50% of the world’s EV batteries and controlling 75% of key battery components. With a growing number of high-net-worth individuals in Asia-Pacific, the region is expected to drive market expansion in 2025, particularly in premium and EV segments.
In an article published on Forbes on January 13, 2025, Sarwant Singh, President and Chief Commercial Officer at MarketsandMarkets, highlighted some predictions made by his team for the automotive industry. One of their predictions is that EV growth will slow down due to specific policy changes making electric cars less affordable for many consumers. To counteract this, the team expects hybrid vehicle sales to increase substantially, as these vehicles combine the efficiency of electric power with the reliability of traditional engines. Additionally, software-defined vehicles (SDVs), where critical functions like steering, braking, and infotainment are managed by software, are projected to experience rapid growth over the next few years.
From an investment standpoint, the sector presents both risks and opportunities. While macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties persist, the industry’s long-term potential remains strong, making it an attractive space for investment despite near-term risks. On that note, let us explore the 12 best automotive stocks to invest in according to analysts.
Our Methodology
To identify the 12 best automotive stocks to invest in according to analysts, we compiled a list of U.S.-listed companies in the auto manufacturing and auto parts sectors with market capitalizations exceeding $2 billion. While we considered promising companies from both industries, we gave preference to pure-play auto manufacturers. We then ranked these companies based on their potential upside, placing the stock with the highest upside at the top. Additionally, we included the number of hedge funds holding stakes in these companies as of Q3 2024.
Note: All pricing data is as of market close on February 14.
At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A factory worker welding a car body with precision.
Li Auto Inc. (NASDAQ:LI)
Upside Potential: 21%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26
Li Auto Inc. (NASDAQ:LI) is a Chinese EV manufacturer focusing on extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and smart SUVs. The company is a pioneer in successfully commercializing extended-range electric vehicles. Its flagship models feature the proprietary range-extending gasoline engine that charges the battery, reducing range anxiety. The company is expanding into fully electric models with advanced driver-assistance features.
On February 7, Macquarie upgraded Li Auto (NASDAQ:LI) to Outperform from Neutral with a $29 price target. While the company’s Q4 vehicle deliveries missed the lower end of guidance, largely due to a higher mix of lower-priced L6 and L7 models, the firm believes potential sales weakness is already priced into shares. Despite concerns over seasonally weak premium EV sales, Macquarie sees lower downside risk at current levels, justifying the upgrade. The analyst expects Li Auto (NASDAQ:LI)’s electric SUV segment to stabilize, supporting long-term growth.
Overall LI ranks 9th on our list of the best automotive stocks to invest in according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of LI as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than LI but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.