Li Auto Inc. (LI) is set to report third-quarter earnings before Wednesday's opening bell, and Wall Street's most accurate forecasters have been busy recalibrating their expectations for the Chinese electric vehicle maker.

Analysts are projecting quarterly earnings of 4 cents per share on revenue of $3.76 billion, according to market data. The company closed Tuesday's session up 1.1% at $18.32, suggesting investors are waiting to see how the numbers shake out before making any bold moves.

Analyst Activity Tells an Interesting Story

Piper Sandler analyst Alexander Potter, who sports a 77% accuracy rate, initiated coverage on Li Auto with a Neutral rating and $19 price target on November 11. That's essentially saying the stock is fairly valued right around current levels—not exactly a ringing endorsement, but not a red flag either.

Meanwhile, Barclays analyst Jiong Shao, with a 70% accuracy rate, maintained an Equal-Weight rating back in August but made a more significant move: slashing the price target from $31 down to $24. That's a meaningful haircut that suggests some tempered enthusiasm about the company's near-term prospects.

The Lidar Partnership Could Be a Game Changer

In potentially significant news for Li Auto's technology roadmap, Hesai Technology (HSAI) was recently named the exclusive lidar supplier for the company's next-generation assisted driving platform. The agreement covers all upcoming models, including the "L" Series, "i" Series, and "MEGA" vehicles, representing a major expansion of their existing collaboration.

This kind of exclusive partnership matters because it signals Li Auto's commitment to a specific technology path for its autonomous driving ambitions—and lidar remains one of the key sensors for advanced driver assistance systems, despite ongoing debates about whether it's truly necessary (looking at you, Tesla).

With earnings just hours away, investors will be watching not just the numbers but also any commentary about delivery volumes, margin pressure, and how Li Auto plans to navigate China's increasingly competitive EV landscape.