Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview: Greater China Auto, EV, and EV Battery Industry Forecasts - **China's Auto Industry**: Expected to face challenges in 2026 with a forecasted decline in auto wholesales by **1.6% YoY** compared to a **10% YoY** increase in 2025. This decline is attributed to front-loaded demand in 2025 [1] - **Domestic EV Sales**: Anticipated to grow only **7% YoY** in 2026 due to a **5% increase in purchase tax** and reduced trade-in subsidies [1] - **Export Sales**: Projected to increase by **12% YoY**, reaching **7.9 million units** in 2026, with EV exports expected to surge by **40% YoY** [1] - **Competition Dynamics**: Shift from price competition to configuration-based competition, necessitating more investment in autonomous driving (AD) and smart cabin technologies [1] Key Automotive/EV Themes for 2026 Theme 1: Export Growth - **Export Growth**: Companies like Chery and BYD are expected to benefit significantly from exports, especially with the EU's minimum EV price replacing tariffs [2] Theme 2: Autonomous Driving Development - **ADAS to AD Transition**: L3 permits issued to Changan and BAIC, with highway/city NOA penetration expected to exceed **40%** in 2026 and **85%** by 2030. L4/L5 penetration is projected to reach **8%** by 2030 [3] Theme 3: Cost Concerns - **Battery and Memory Costs**: Rising costs and supply stability of memory are key concerns for auto OEMs [3] Key Battery Themes for 2026 Theme 1: Energy Storage Systems (ESS) - **ESS Demand**: Global battery ESS installations expected to grow by **33% YoY** in 2026, with shipments increasing by **41% YoY** [4] Theme 2: Global Expansion - **Overseas Capacity Expansion**: Chinese battery manufacturers are accelerating their overseas capacity expansion, particularly in Europe and Southeast Asia, in response to rising tariffs and trade tensions [4] Theme 3: VAT Rebate Changes - **Export VAT Rebate Cut**: Anticipated to lead to a rush in battery production and shipment in Q1 2026, potentially increasing raw material prices and exerting cost pressure on battery makers and auto OEMs [5] Theme 4: Technological Innovation - **Sodium-Ion Battery**: Launch of Gen-2 sodium-ion battery expected, with ASSB (all-solid-state battery) small-batch production anticipated to start in 2027 and scale up significantly post-2029 [5] Investment Recommendations - **Top Picks**: - **XPeng**: Launch of Mona SUV and HR in 2H26, with a focus on AI-related businesses [6] - **CATL**: Growth driven by CEV, ESS, and overseas capacity despite short-term cost pressures [6] - **Tuopu**: Major supplier for humanoid robots with overseas expansion [6] - **Minth**: Resilient earnings growth supported by high overseas market exposure [6] - **Hesai**: Increased LiDAR adoption in China alongside L3 ADAS development [6] Additional Insights - **Market Dynamics**: The shift in competition and the focus on technological advancements highlight the evolving landscape of the automotive and EV sectors in China, emphasizing the need for companies to adapt to changing consumer preferences and regulatory environments [1][3][4][5]

Core Viewpoint - The automotive industry is shifting from reliance on NVIDIA's chips to self-developed solutions, as companies like Xiaopeng and NIO are moving towards their own chip development to reduce costs and enhance performance [2][5][20]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Xiaopeng has released four new models equipped with its self-developed Turing driving chip, marking a complete departure from NVIDIA's chips [2]. - NIO is transitioning to its self-developed Shenqi chip, which is expected to significantly reduce costs compared to purchasing NVIDIA chips [2][8]. - NVIDIA's market share in China's high-end driving chip sector is projected to decline from 39% in 2024 to 25% in 2025, indicating a significant shift in the competitive landscape [2][9]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - In 2024, NVIDIA's Orin-X chip held a 39.8% market share with 2.1 million units, but competitors like Horizon are gaining ground with lower-cost alternatives [5][6]. - Horizon's J5 chip has secured contracts with over nine automakers, including major brands like BYD and SAIC, highlighting the increasing competition in the market [6][9]. - By 2025, NVIDIA's partnerships with major clients like NIO and Xiaopeng have diminished, indicating a loss of influence in the market [6][8]. Group 3: Financial Performance - In the first three quarters of fiscal year 2025, NVIDIA reported $147.8 billion in total revenue, with only $1.7 billion (approximately 1%) coming from automotive business, underscoring the limited impact of automotive sales on overall performance [14][16]. - The automotive segment's revenue is significantly overshadowed by NVIDIA's data center business, which accounts for nearly 90% of its income [14][16]. Group 4: Future Outlook - NVIDIA is attempting to pivot from being a chip supplier to a comprehensive smart driving solution provider, but this transition faces challenges as competitors strengthen their positions [20]. - The launch of NVIDIA's open-source VLA model, aimed at assisting automakers lacking full-stack development capabilities, reflects its strategy to maintain relevance in the evolving market [20][21]. - However, the practical utility of the VLA model has been questioned, indicating potential hurdles in its adoption and effectiveness [21].

Group 1 - The legal department of NIO announced that multiple online accounts, including "Mengtui Network," have been spreading false information about the company, damaging its business reputation for improper gains. A court has ruled against these actions, ordering public apologies and compensation for economic losses [1] - Another case involving accounts like "Lao Cai Business Reflection" has also resulted in a court ruling that recognized the defamatory actions against NIO, with the defendants fulfilling the judgment by compensating and apologizing to the company [1] - NIO is actively responding to a call from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments to address online chaos in the automotive industry, committing to legal actions against any defamatory behavior and promoting a clean online environment [1] Group 2 - On January 6, 2026, NIO celebrated the production of its one millionth vehicle at its advanced manufacturing facility in Hefei, Anhui. The CEO stated that the company aims for annual sales growth of 40% to 50% and plans to exceed 10,000 charging and battery swap stations by 2030 [3]

Core Insights - The article discusses the monthly OTA (Over-The-Air) monitoring report released by the China Automobile Circulation Association and Guangzhou Weirbo Information Technology Co., highlighting the trends and updates in the automotive OTA landscape [2]. Industry Overview - In December 2025, the industry updated a total of 1,257 features, a significant increase from 954 in the previous month, with 27 brands participating in OTA updates. The focus of upgrades was on driving assistance and voice functionalities [8]. - Throughout the year, the automotive industry shifted from "wild growth" to a "compliant expansion" model under regulatory constraints, emphasizing "safer, more inclusive, and practical" advancements. The total number of upgraded features increased by 36.7% compared to 2024 [8]. New Forces - New force brands updated a total of 216 features in December 2025, up from 177 the previous month, indicating a slight increase. Brands like Li Auto and Xpeng experienced major version upgrades, enhancing their level of intelligence [7]. - The frequency of upgrades for new force brands decreased due to regulatory impacts, transitioning from "high frequency" to "low frequency with high quality," while still maintaining a high level of overall upgrade functionality [9]. Domestic Brands - Domestic brands updated 1,005 features in December 2025, a significant rise from 728 in the previous month. This year was crucial for domestic brands to catch up with the leading tier in intelligence, focusing on "more inclusive and practical" strategies [14]. - The total number of upgraded features for domestic brands increased by 73% compared to 2024, with over 20% of upgrades in intelligent driving and vehicle control modules, which are key areas for catching up [14]. Joint Venture & Luxury Brands - Joint venture and luxury brands updated 36 features in December 2025, a slight decrease from 49 in the previous month. However, the total number of upgraded features increased by 31.6% compared to 2024, with expansions into overall vehicle experience and intelligent driving modules [15]. - The upgrades in intelligent driving increased by 6.88% compared to 2024, and vehicle control features saw a 3.25% increase, indicating a shift from passive following to active participation in the intelligentization field [15]. OTA Activity Highlights - Li Auto adjusted its OTA internal testing project to a priority experience project, focusing on concentrated information release and enhancing user engagement through various promotional activities [26][32]. - The article outlines various promotional activities and user engagement strategies employed by Li Auto, including topic operations and rewards for user participation, aimed at increasing interaction with new features [33][38]. Future OTA Updates - The article provides a forecast of upcoming OTA updates for various brands, detailing expected upgrade contents and timelines, indicating a continuous evolution in the automotive OTA landscape [37][39].

Core Viewpoint - NIO has successfully taken legal action against multiple online accounts that disseminated false information about the company, resulting in a court ruling that recognizes the infringement of NIO's rights and mandates public apologies and compensation for economic losses [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Actions and Outcomes - The court has ruled against several online accounts, including "妄图网络," for spreading false information that maliciously defamed NIO's business operations, leading to a requirement for public apology and compensation [2]. - Another ruling involved accounts operated by "老蔡商业反思," which were found to have published defamatory content against NIO, resulting in a court-ordered compensation and apology from the defendants [2]. Group 2: Company Response and Future Actions - NIO is committed to using legal means to protect its and its users' rights, adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards any defamatory actions against the company [2]. - The company plans to donate any compensation received from legal actions to support education and elderly care charitable initiatives [1][2].

Core Viewpoint - NIO's legal department announced that multiple online accounts were ordered to compensate and apologize for maliciously defaming the company [1][3][4] Group 1: Legal Actions and Outcomes - The court ruled against users and operators of accounts like "妄图网络," finding them guilty of spreading false information about NIO to gain traffic and illicit profits, resulting in a public apology and compensation for economic losses [1][3] - Another ruling involved accounts operated by "老蔡商业反思," where the court found them liable for defamation, leading to a judgment that required the defendants to compensate and apologize to NIO [4] Group 2: Company Response and Future Actions - NIO emphasized its commitment to responding to the call from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments to address online chaos in the automotive industry, pledging to use legal means to protect its and its users' rights [1][4] - The company stated it would adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards any illegal actions that defame NIO and its users, aiming to collaborate with various sectors to create a clearer online environment [4] - NIO and its users plan to donate any compensation received from legal actions to support education and elderly care charitable initiatives [4]

Core Viewpoint - The automotive industry is witnessing a significant shift towards self-developed chips, with companies like Xiaopeng and NIO moving away from NVIDIA's chips to their own solutions, indicating a trend where automakers prioritize self-sufficiency in technology [1][5][16]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Xiaopeng has launched four new models equipped with its self-developed Turing chip, marking a complete transition from NVIDIA's chips [1]. - NIO is also transitioning to its self-developed Shenqi chip, which is expected to reduce costs significantly compared to purchasing NVIDIA chips [1][5]. - NVIDIA's market share in the high-end autonomous driving chip sector is projected to decline from 39% in 2024 to 25% in 2025, as more companies adopt self-developed solutions [1][5][8]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - In 2024, NVIDIA's Orin-X chip held a 39.8% market share with 2.1 million units shipped, but its dominance is being challenged by Chinese companies like Horizon Robotics, which offers competitive chips at lower prices [3][4]. - Horizon's J5 chip has secured contracts with over nine automakers for more than 20 models, highlighting the growing competition in the mid-range chip market [4]. - By 2025, NVIDIA's partnerships with major clients like NIO and Xiaopeng have diminished, indicating a shift in the competitive landscape [5][8]. Group 3: Financial Performance - NVIDIA's automotive revenue for the first three quarters of fiscal 2025 was only $1.745 billion, accounting for just over 1% of its total revenue of $147.8 billion, with the majority coming from data center and AI-related products [12][14]. - The company has faced challenges with the delayed launch of its Thor chip, which has affected automakers' product timelines and market strategies [15][16]. Group 4: Strategic Shifts - NVIDIA is attempting to transition from a chip supplier to a comprehensive autonomous driving solution provider, as evidenced by its hiring of key personnel from Xiaopeng and the introduction of the open-source VLA model [17][18]. - The effectiveness of NVIDIA's open-source model, Alpamayo, has been questioned, with concerns about its practical application in the automotive sector [18].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of practical learning experiences in the field of investment and technology, highlighting the value of direct engagement with leading companies and experts in various industries [2][7][19]. Schedule Overview - The schedule for 2026 includes visits to major tech companies and universities, such as NVIDIA, Tesla, and Stanford University, focusing on cutting-edge technologies and innovations [3][4][5]. - Specific events include closed-door research meetings on AI and technology trends, as well as visits to companies like Huawei, BYD, and others in the robotics and AI sectors [18][19][57]. Company Engagement - The program aims to connect entrepreneurs with top executives and scientists to gain insights into strategic decisions and technological advancements [7][19]. - Participants will explore various sectors, including AI, robotics, and new energy, through hands-on experiences and discussions with industry leaders [19][57]. Learning Philosophy - The initiative promotes a philosophy of "reading extensively and traveling widely," encouraging participants to learn from real-world applications and innovations in technology [2][38]. - The focus is on fostering a mindset of long-term thinking and ethical business practices among entrepreneurs [2][40].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook for the automotive industry, expecting a rebound in vehicle sales in Q1 and focusing on investments in intelligent driving, robotics, and liquid cooling technologies [3]. Core Insights - The automotive sector is experiencing significant dynamics, including sales, pricing, exports, and robotics developments [2]. - The report highlights that January's early sales data shows a substantial year-on-year decline, primarily due to subsidy reductions and rising vehicle prices, leading to consumer hesitation [5]. - The report anticipates that the pressure on vehicle prices will be managed through strict enforcement of anti-competitive practices, aiming to stabilize prices and profit margins [5]. - The export market is expected to grow rapidly, supported by agreements that lower trade barriers for electric vehicles, enhancing profitability for manufacturers and dealers [5]. - The robotics sector is gaining traction, with the Optimus V3 generating market excitement and expectations for product launches [5]. Data Tracking - In early January, the average discount rate remained stable, with a 9.6% increase year-on-year, and the average discount amount reached 22,259 yuan, up by 2,192 yuan year-on-year [4]. - December's wholesale vehicle sales were reported at 2.85 million units, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 8.7% and a month-on-month decline of 6.3% [4]. - Notable sales performance in December included significant year-on-year growth for new energy vehicle manufacturers like NIO and Li Auto, while traditional automakers like SAIC and Changan showed mixed results [6]. Industry News - The report discusses various industry developments, including the price commitments for electric vehicles between China and Europe, which aim to facilitate trade [27]. - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is focusing on enhancing the competitiveness of the new energy vehicle sector and regulating market practices to prevent price wars [27]. - Recent data indicates a significant drop in retail sales of passenger vehicles in early January, with a 32% year-on-year decline [27]. Market Performance - The automotive sector saw a weekly increase of 0.71%, ranking 8th out of 29 sectors, while the overall market indices showed mixed results [10].

Group 1 - The core point of the article is that NIO successfully delivered over 50,000 units of its new ES8 model within 120 days after the official delivery start date on January 18, 2026 [1]