Hesai Group (HSAI) 1Q25 Earnings Review: Net profit beat, raise industry LiDAR volume; Buy 27 May 2025 | 7:02PM CST Hesai reported 1Q25 result with revenue in line and net profit beat mainly on higher gross margin and lower opex. Key areas of surprise: (1) Gross margin of 41.7% (+3.0pp yoy/+2.7pp qoq) was higher vs. GSe at 39.5%, mainly due to higher engineering services revenue; (2) Opex was -9% yoy and 5% below GSe, with S&M / R&D / G&A to revenue ratio -2.1pp/-19.2pp/-8.9pp yoy, showing operating leverag ...

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Core Insights - Hesai Group, a Chinese lidar company, is recognized as a key player in the autonomous vehicle sector, providing essential components for various applications including robotaxis and smart home devices [1] Company Overview - Hesai Group specializes in lidar technology, which is crucial for the development of autonomous systems [1] - The company has established itself as a preferred supplier in the competitive landscape of autonomous technology [1] Market Position - The firm is positioned as a significant contributor to the ongoing advancements in the autonomous arms race, indicating its strategic importance in the industry [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues increased by 46% year over year, reaching RMB 525.3 million or USD 72.4 million [22] - Shipments more than tripled year over year to nearly 200,000 LiDAR units in Q1 [6][22] - Net loss narrowed by 84% year over year to RMB 70.5 million or USD 2.4 million, while remaining non-GAAP profitable for the quarter [7][24] - Gross margins stood at 42% in Q1, with operating expenses reduced by 9% year over year [23][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - ADAS and robotics segments showed outstanding momentum, with ATX LiDAR shipments driving significant growth [6][23] - Robotics LiDAR shipments reached nearly 50,000 units in Q1, reflecting over 600% year over year growth [23] - ATX LiDAR entered mass production in Q1, with close to 40,000 units shipped in its first quarter [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ranked number one in global automotive LiDAR market share with a 33% share [7] - The global autonomous mobility market in China is projected to grow from USD 54 million in 2025 to USD 47 billion by 2035 [16] - The company is the largest LiDAR supplier for robotaxis, holding a 61% share of the global robotaxi market [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to democratize intelligent driving with affordable, ultra-compact LiDAR solutions [8] - Strategic relationships with leading OEMs are being expanded, with significant design wins secured [9][10] - The launch of the Infinity Eye LiDAR solution and next-generation sensors is expected to enhance product offerings [12][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining full-year revenue guidance of RMB 3 billion to RMB 3.5 billion despite tariff challenges [30][70] - The company anticipates reaching GAAP breakeven in Q2 and is on track for full-year profitability targets [25][33] - Management highlighted the importance of operational efficiency and cost control in navigating external challenges [69] Other Important Information - The US District Court dismissed a patent infringement case against the company, reaffirming the integrity of its technology [20] - The company signed a lease for a new factory in Southeast Asia to mitigate geopolitical risks [26][43] Q&A Session Summary Question: Full year guidance and LiDAR take rate - Management maintains 2025 revenue guidance at RMB 3 billion to RMB 3.5 billion, with total shipments expected to remain at 1.2 million to 1.5 million units [30][31] Question: ADAS LiDAR ASP trends - ASP for ATP LiDAR is expected to decline moderately, while ATX LiDAR is projected to achieve high shipment volumes, potentially reaching up to 1 million units in 2025 [38][39] Question: Capacity expansion and CapEx - The company is on track to expand production capacity to 2 million units by the end of the year, with CapEx expected to be around USD 30 million to USD 50 million [42][44] Question: Competition and market dynamics - Management emphasized the competitive nature of the LiDAR industry and the importance of maintaining quality partnerships with top-tier OEMs [52][53] Question: New product launches and Infinity Eye - The Infinity Eye solution has received positive feedback, with mass production expected to start soon, and the company aims to maintain stable gross margins despite new product introductions [60][63] Question: Impact of tariffs - The company has limited exposure to US tariffs, with only 10% of total revenue projected from the US market, and expects the impact on gross margins to be immaterial [68][70] Question: Dual listing rumors - Management did not comment on rumors regarding a dual listing in Hong Kong but stated that they evaluate all options to protect investor interests [92][93] Question: LiDAR industry development and AEB impact - Management noted that the adoption of AEB technology is accelerating the penetration of LiDAR in vehicles, making it a critical component for future automotive safety [101][102]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues increased by 46% year over year, reaching RMB 525.3 million or USD 72.4 million [20] - Shipments more than tripled year over year to nearly 200,000 LiDAR units in Q1 [5][21] - Net loss narrowed by 84% year over year to RMB 70.5 million or USD 2.4 million, while remaining non-GAAP profitable for the quarter [22] - Gross margins stood at 42% in Q1, with operating expenses reduced by 9% year over year [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - ADAS and robotics segments showed outstanding momentum, with ATX LiDAR shipments driving significant growth [5][21] - JT LiDAR shipments reached 45,000 units in Q1, contributing to nearly 50,000 units shipped in the robotics LiDAR segment, reflecting over 600% year over year growth [21] - ATX entered mass production in Q1, with close to 40,000 units shipped in its first quarter [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company holds a 33% share of the global automotive LiDAR market and a 61% share of the global robotaxi market [6] - The autonomous mobility market in China is projected to grow from USD 54 million in 2025 to USD 47 billion by 2035 [14] - The company is the largest LiDAR supplier for robotaxis, powering fleets from major players like Baidu and Didi [14][84] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain its leadership in the automotive LiDAR market through innovation and strategic partnerships with leading OEMs [6][8] - Expansion into overseas manufacturing is prioritized to mitigate geopolitical risks and better serve global customers [24][42] - The launch of the Infinity Eye LiDAR solution aims to cater to various levels of autonomous driving, enhancing the product portfolio [11][62] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining full-year revenue guidance of RMB 3 billion to RMB 3.5 billion despite tariff challenges [28][72] - The company anticipates reaching GAAP breakeven in Q2 and is on track for full-year profitability targets [22][31] - Management highlighted the importance of operational efficiency and cost control in navigating external challenges [71] Other Important Information - The US District Court dismissed a patent infringement case against the company, reaffirming the integrity of its technology [18] - The company is actively driving five proof of concept programs with top global OEMs and Tier one suppliers across Europe and Japan [10][89] Q&A Session Summary Question: Full year guidance and ADAS LiDAR portion impact on gross margin - The company maintains its 2025 revenue guidance at RMB 3 billion to RMB 3.5 billion, with gross margin expected to remain around 40% [28][30] Question: Capacity expansion and CapEx for Southeast Asia - The company is on track to expand production capacity to 2 million units by the end of the year, with CapEx expected to be around USD 30 million to USD 50 million [41][44] Question: Competition and potential reshuffles in client orders - Management emphasized the competitive nature of the LiDAR industry and the importance of maintaining quality partnerships to ensure reasonable pricing [52][53] Question: New product launches and mass production timelines - The Infinity Eye LiDAR solution has secured design wins and is expected to support various autonomous driving capabilities [62][63] Question: Impact of tariffs on pricing and supply chain - The company has limited direct exposure to tariffs, with only 10% of total revenue projected from the US market [70][72] Question: Differences between ATL and ATX products - ATL is a customized version of ATX for specific client needs, while ATX remains the mainstream solution for OEM customers [78][79] Question: Future of ADAS LiDAR in robotaxi applications - The company expects to see larger LiDAR orders for robotaxis as the market shifts from mechanical LiDAR to more cost-effective ADAS solutions [83][84] Question: Dual listing plans and regulatory compliance - The company is evaluating options for potential dual listings but remains compliant with all regulatory requirements for its current NASDAQ listing [94][95]

Core Insights - Hesai Group reported strong financial results for Q1 2025, with net revenues of RMB525.3 million (US$72.4 million), a 46.3% increase year-over-year [17][31] - The company shipped 195,818 lidar units in Q1 2025, representing a 231.3% increase from the same period in 2024 [16][15] - Hesai was ranked as the world's No.1 automotive lidar company by revenue market share for the fourth consecutive year in 2024 [3] Financial Performance - Net revenues for Q1 2025 were RMB525.3 million, up from RMB359.1 million in Q1 2024, driven by increased sales of ADAS lidar products [17][31] - Gross margin improved to 41.7% in Q1 2025 from 38.8% in Q1 2024, attributed to effective cost and scale optimization [17][31] - The net loss narrowed significantly by 83.6% year-over-year to RMB17.5 million (US$2.4 million) [22][31] Operational Highlights - ADAS lidar shipments reached 146,087 units in Q1 2025, a 178.5% increase from 52,462 units in Q1 2024 [16][15] - The company secured new design wins with 23 OEMs globally across over 120 vehicle models, including partnerships with Chery, Great Wall Motor, Zeekr, and Geely [5][15] - Hesai is the main lidar supplier for next-generation Robotaxi fleets from Baidu Apollo Go, DiDi, Pony.ai, and WeRide [14][15] Product Development - New products include the AT1440 lidar, which delivers ultra-high-definition point clouds, and the FTX solid-state lidar for blind spot detection [14] - The company announced the successful resolution of all IP-related litigation against it, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and R&D [8][10] Business Outlook - For Q2 2025, Hesai expects net revenues to be between RMB680 million (US$93.7 million) and RMB720 million (US$99.2 million), indicating a year-over-year increase of approximately 48% to 57% [19]

Core Viewpoint - Hesai Group, a leader in lidar solutions, is set to report its first quarter 2025 unaudited financial results on May 26, 2025, after U.S. market close [1]. Group 1: Earnings Call Details - The earnings conference call is scheduled for 9:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on May 26, 2025, which corresponds to 9:00 AM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on May 27, 2025 [2]. - Participants can join the call by completing pre-registration and are advised to dial in 5 minutes prior to the start time [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - Hesai Technology (NASDAQ: HSAI) specializes in lidar solutions applicable in various sectors, including passenger and commercial vehicles, autonomous driving, and robotics [4]. - The company integrates in-house manufacturing with lidar R&D and design, allowing for rapid product iteration while maintaining high performance and affordability [4]. - Hesai has established a global presence with offices in Shanghai, Palo Alto, and Stuttgart, serving customers in over 40 countries [4].

Core Insights - Hesai Group's AT series lidar has been selected by SAIC-GM for integration into Cadillac's new all-electric VISTIQ SUV, marking a significant advancement in automotive lidar technology [1][2] - The VISTIQ features the industry's first in-cabin lidar deployment, which enhances environmental sensing capabilities while maintaining the vehicle's design integrity [2][3] - This partnership positions Hesai as a key digital ecosystem partner for SAIC-GM, focusing on delivering high-performance lidar solutions for the future of electric mobility [3] Company Overview - Hesai Group is recognized as a global leader in lidar technology, specifically for automotive and robotic applications [1] - The company has established a designated supplier partnership with SAIC-GM, emphasizing its role in the development of intelligent electric vehicles [3] Industry Impact - The integration of lidar technology into the VISTIQ SUV sets a new standard for sensor systems in passenger vehicles, particularly with its innovative behind-the-windshield placement [2] - The deployment of the AT series lidar enhances the vehicle's autonomous sensing capabilities, contributing to the advancement of smart and safe electric vehicles [3]

Group 1 - Hesai Group Sponsored ADR (HSAI) is outperforming its sector, with a year-to-date gain of 4.1% compared to an average loss of 26.2% for Auto-Tires-Trucks stocks [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HSAI's full-year earnings has increased by 21.7% over the past 90 days, indicating improved analyst sentiment [4] - HSAI holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting strong potential for future performance [3][4] Group 2 - Suzuki Motor (SZKMY) is another stock in the Auto-Tires-Trucks group that has shown strong performance, with a year-to-date return of 4.6% and a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [5] - The consensus estimate for Suzuki Motor's current year EPS has risen by 7.3% over the past three months [5] - HSAI belongs to the Automotive - Original Equipment industry, which has an average loss of 10.8% this year, further highlighting HSAI's strong performance [6] Group 3 - The Auto-Tires-Trucks group is currently ranked 14 within the Zacks Sector Rank, which evaluates 16 different sector groups [2] - The Automotive - Original Equipment industry, to which HSAI belongs, is ranked 160 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - The Automotive - Foreign industry, which includes Suzuki Motor, is ranked 165 and has experienced a decline of 5.8% this year [6]

Group 1 - Hesai Group's AT128 lidar has been selected as the primary lidar solution for Pony AI's new seventh-generation Robotaxi models, highlighting its critical role in autonomous driving technology [1][3] - Pony.ai's new autonomous driving platform features a 70% reduction in bill-of-materials costs compared to the previous generation, indicating significant cost efficiency in production [2][3] - The Robotaxi fleet has achieved over 500,000 hours of fully autonomous operation, demonstrating a tenfold improvement in safety compared to human drivers, showcasing the effectiveness of the technology [3] Group 2 - The AT128 lidar sensor offers a 120° ultra-high-resolution field of view and a 200-meter detection range, providing comprehensive obstacle detection for safe navigation in complex environments [4] - The collaboration between Hesai and Pony.ai strengthens Hesai's position in the autonomous driving industry and reflects ongoing investment in R&D for next-generation lidar technologies [5]