ZEEKR Intelligent Technology (ZK) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 15, 2025 08:00 AM ET Company Participants Jing Yuan - CFO Conference Call Participants Tina Hou - AnalystTim Hsiao - AnalystMing-Hsun Lee - Analyst Operator Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for standing by for Zika Group's First Quarter twenty twenty five Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in listen only mode. Today's conference call is being recorded. I will now turn the call over to your host, Mr. Jing Huang, the C ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Zika Group reported first quarter revenue of RMB22 billion, with vehicle revenue reaching RMB19.1 billion, marking a 21% year-over-year increase in vehicle deliveries to 114,000 units [8][9][25] - The overall vehicle gross margin rose to 16.5%, with the Zika brand's margin increasing to 21.2% [9][25] - Net loss narrowed by 60% year-over-year to RMB763 million for the first quarter of 2025, indicating significant progress towards sustainable profitability [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Zika brand's vehicle deliveries increased by 21% year-over-year, while the Lincoln Co brand also contributed to overall growth [8][25] - The Zika 9X and Zika 8X are expected to have impressive margin performance, with both models positioned in the luxury segment and equipped with super electric hybrid technology [42][44] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Zika Group's global user base surpassed 1,900,000, with a target of reaching 2,000,000 users [7] - The company has entered over 60 major international markets, with a global retail footprint of over 1,200 stores [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to redefine luxury through exceptional service and cutting-edge technologies, focusing on innovation and expanding its presence in the global premium market [7][22] - Strategic integration of Zika and Lincoln Co brands has led to joint product R&D and enhanced user engagement, driving profitability improvements [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged that sales performance in April was not satisfactory but aligned with expectations, maintaining a sales target of 710,000 vehicles for 2025 [31] - The launch of new models such as the Zika 9X and Lincoln Co 900 is expected to positively impact sales performance in the coming months [32][40] Other Important Information - The company is implementing internal management reforms to enhance efficiency and align with trends in the new energy era [22] - A special committee has been established to evaluate a privatization offer, and the company will not comment on this matter during the call [27][35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Sales volume expectations for the first four months and updated targets for 2025 - Management confirmed that April's sales performance was in line with expectations, maintaining a target of 320,000 vehicles for Zika and 390,000 for Lincoln Co, totaling 710,000 vehicles for the year [31][32] Question: Comments on JD Auto's provisional offering - Management refrained from commenting on the privatization offer, emphasizing compliance with disclosure regulations and the establishment of a special committee for evaluation [34][35] Question: Volume contribution and margin expectations for the Zika 9X and 8X - Management expressed confidence in the Zika 9X and 8X, highlighting their unique positioning and expected strong market performance [42][44] Question: Advantages of the super hybrid technology and expected sales volume - Management detailed the benefits of the super hybrid technology, including performance, fuel efficiency, and lower maintenance costs, with a target of contributing 150,000 to 200,000 vehicles annually [50]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article emphasizes the necessity for Geely to consolidate and enhance its competitiveness in the fiercely competitive Chinese automotive market, as stated by CEO Gui Shengyue [1][2] - Geely plans to acquire all issued shares of Zeekr Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., which will lead to a complete merger and privatization of Zeekr, resulting in its delisting from the New York Stock Exchange [1] - The strategic transformation initiated by Geely's chairman Li Shufu includes five major initiatives aimed at focusing, integrating, collaborating, stabilizing, and nurturing talent, which has led to multiple integration actions within the company [1] Group 2 - Gui Shengyue highlighted two major issues arising from the integration process: the cumbersome approval processes due to both companies being independent public entities, and differing employee incentive mechanisms that could hinder effective collaboration [2] - Following the merger, Geely and Zeekr will maintain separate branding and marketing strategies while maximizing synergies in back-end operations [2][3] - The new organizational structure post-merger will include Geely Galaxy Division, Geely Galaxy Group, and Zeekr Technology Group, with key leadership roles defined for effective management [3] Group 3 - The merger aims to achieve significant efficiency improvements, with targets set for production cost reduction exceeding 3%, R&D efficiency gains of 10% to 20%, and management efficiency improvements of 10% to 20% [3] - The combined entity aims for an overall efficiency improvement exceeding 5%, with specific goals for R&D, management, and marketing cost efficiencies set at 15% to 20% [4] - The merger will result in Geely's portfolio comprising four major brands: Zeekr, Lynk & Co, Geely Galaxy, and China Star, each targeting different market segments while seeking collaborative growth [4]

Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Geely Automobile achieved revenue of 72.495 billion yuan, a 25% increase from 58.225 billion yuan in the same period last year [2][3] - The net profit attributable to shareholders reached 5.672 billion yuan, up 264% from 1.565 billion yuan year-on-year [2][3] - Total sales volume reached 703,800 units, a 48% increase from 475,700 units in the previous year, marking a historical high for the company [3][4] Brand Performance - The Galaxy brand sold nearly 260,000 units in Q1, a 214% increase, with the Star Wish model achieving over 35,000 monthly sales for two consecutive months [4] - The China Star brand sold 330,000 units, a 10% increase, while Lynk & Co sold 73,000 units, up 19%, with 38,000 of those being electric vehicles [4] - Zeekr delivered 41,000 units, a 25% increase year-on-year [4] Strategic Developments - Geely plans to privatize Zeekr, acquiring all issued shares, which would make Zeekr a wholly-owned subsidiary and lead to its delisting from the NYSE [8] - Following the merger of Zeekr and Lynk & Co, management changes were announced, with Li Donghui becoming Vice Chairman and An Conghui as CEO of Geely Holding Group [8][7] - Zeekr reported a total revenue of 22.019 billion yuan in Q1, with vehicle revenue of 19.096 billion yuan, a 16.1% increase year-on-year [7]

Core Viewpoint - Geely Auto is pursuing a privatization merger with Zeekr Auto to consolidate its brand and resources in response to intense market competition and a complex environment [2][3] Group 1: Merger Rationale - The merger aims to address the fragmented brand structure of Geely Auto, allowing the company to consolidate resources into a more competitive entity [2] - Geely's management, including Chairman Li Shufu, recognizes the necessity of this merger for long-term success, which is also understood by shareholders [2] Group 2: Integration Challenges - The integration of Geely Auto and Zeekr Auto has faced complexities, including low efficiency and high communication costs due to both being publicly listed companies [3] - There are inconsistencies in employee incentive mechanisms between the two companies, which hampers the overall effectiveness of the integration efforts [3] - To resolve these issues fundamentally, a complete merger is deemed essential to create a unified Geely [3]

凤凰网科技讯（作者/于雷）5月15日，极氪科技（纽交所代码：ZK）今日发布2025年第一季度未经审 计财务业绩，这也是极氪、领克合并后的首份财报。财报显示，极氪集团一季度总营收为220.19亿元人 民币（约30.34亿美元），同比微增1.1%，环比下滑37.8%。 从交付量来看，极氪集团一季度共交付114,011辆汽车，同比增长21.1%。其中极氪品牌交付41,403辆， 同比增长25.2%；领克品牌交付72,608辆，同比增长18.9%，且新能源车型占比达到52.4%。不过，与 2024年第四季度相比，总交付量出现明显下滑。 值得关注的是，极氪集团一季度整体毛利率达到了19.1%，较去年同期的16.3%提升了2.8个百分点，环 比第四季度也有1.1个百分点的提升。车辆销售毛利率为16.5%，同比上升3.4个百分点，环比上升2.2个 百分点。其中极氪品牌车型毛利率高达21.2%，创下新高。 财务数据方面，极氪集团一季度净亏损为7.63亿元人民币（约1.05亿美元），较去年同期的19.15亿元大 幅减少60.2%，但较上一季度增加21.3%。不计股权激励费用的非通用会计准则下，调整后净亏损为6.40 亿元人民币 ...

Financial Performance - Zeekr Technology reported a significant reduction in net loss, decreasing by over 60% year-on-year, with an unaudited financial performance for Q1 ending March 31, 2025 [1] - Total revenue for Q1 reached 22 billion yuan, with vehicle sales revenue of 19.1 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 16.1% [1] - The gross margin for vehicle sales was 16.5%, up by 3.4 percentage points year-on-year, while the overall gross margin climbed to a historical high of 19.1% [1] Sales and Delivery - In Q1, Zeekr Technology delivered 114,011 vehicles, ranking first in high-end luxury sales among new forces in China [1] - The company has consistently achieved monthly sales exceeding 40,000 units since the integration of Zeekr and Lynk & Co brands, demonstrating significant scale effects [1] Product Strategy - Zeekr and Lynk & Co are pursuing differentiated brand strategies, covering a price range from 150,000 to 900,000 yuan [2] - Zeekr focuses on the luxury market above 300,000 yuan, with the Zeekr 007 GT achieving 10,000 deliveries in its first month [2] - Lynk & Co targets the market above 200,000 yuan, with the Lynk 900 model receiving over 30,000 pre-orders since its launch on April 28 [2] Technological Development - The company is advancing key platform technologies, including vehicle architecture, electronic architecture, and intelligent driving systems, to enhance resource integration and sharing [2] - Zeekr has launched the V4 ultra-fast charging station, achieving a peak power of 1.3 megawatts, which is now operational in Hangzhou [2] Global Expansion - As of the end of April, Zeekr Technology has entered over 60 international markets, with more than 1,200 global stores and over 1.9 million users [3] - The company is enhancing its channel penetration and building a charging ecosystem to create greater growth opportunities for product delivery [3] - The Zeekr 7X model is set to begin deliveries in Europe on May 16, while the Zeekr RT, a sister vehicle to the Zeekr MIX, has commenced deliveries in the U.S. market [3]

Core Insights - Zeekr Group reported a strong performance in Q1 2025, with total vehicle deliveries reaching 114,011 units, a 21.1% increase year-over-year, driven by the Zeekr brand's 25.2% growth in deliveries [2][3][5] - The company achieved a vehicle margin of 16.5%, up from 13.1% in Q1 2024, indicating improved profitability [5][7] - Despite a decrease in total revenues by 37.8% from Q4 2024, the company saw a slight year-over-year increase of 1.1% compared to Q1 2024 [5][17] Delivery Performance - Total vehicle deliveries for Q1 2025 were 114,011 units, with Zeekr brand delivering 41,403 units and Lynk & Co brand delivering 72,608 units [2][3] - In April 2025, Zeekr Group delivered 41,316 vehicles, marking a 1.5% increase from the previous month [8] Financial Performance - Vehicle sales amounted to RMB 19,096 million (US$ 2,631 million) in Q1 2025, a 16.1% increase from Q1 2024 [5][17] - Total revenues were RMB 22,019 million (US$ 3,034 million), reflecting a 1.1% increase year-over-year but a significant decrease of 37.8% from Q4 2024 [5][17] - Gross profit for Q1 2025 was RMB 4,213 million (US$ 580 million), an 18.8% increase from Q1 2024 [5][17] Profitability Metrics - Gross margin improved to 19.1% in Q1 2025, compared to 16.3% in Q1 2024 [5][17] - The company reported a net loss of RMB 763 million (US$ 105 million) for Q1 2025, a 60.2% decrease from the same period in 2024 [5][19] Recent Developments - The Zeekr 7GT was launched in April 2025, showcasing advanced technology and performance capabilities [9] - The flagship luxury SUV, Zeekr 9X, was unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show, set for global launch in Q3 2025 [10] - Lynk & Co began deliveries of the Lynk & Co 900, a large family SUV, which has already received over 40,000 pre-orders [11] Management Commentary - CEO Andy An highlighted the successful integration of Zeekr and Lynk & Co, expanding the user base to over 1.9 million [13] - CFO Jing Yuan noted that enhanced platform synergies and disciplined supply chain management contributed to record profitability, with vehicle margins reaching 16.5% [13]

Group 1 - The State Administration for Market Regulation has interviewed major food delivery platforms including JD, Meituan, and Ele.me regarding competition issues in the industry [2] - The platforms are required to comply with various laws such as the E-commerce Law, Anti-Unfair Competition Law, and Food Safety Law, and to enhance internal management and fair competition [2] - The aim is to create a healthy market environment that protects the rights of consumers, platform operators, and delivery riders [2] Group 2 - iQIYI responded to a report indicating that it and 64 other apps were found to be in violation of personal information collection regulations [3] - The version in question was developed by a partner and iQIYI is currently working with them to rectify the issues [3] Group 3 - Honor has confirmed the implementation of a "Eagle Plan" for internal competition for key positions, affecting 38 management roles in China, with 45% of these positions seeing changes [4] - The new AI division has been established, with AI-related R&D designated as a primary department [4] Group 4 - JD Group reported a net revenue of 301.08 billion RMB for Q1 2025, marking a 16% year-on-year increase, with a net profit of 12.8 billion RMB [5] - JD's CEO mentioned that the daily orders for JD's food delivery service are expected to exceed 20 million soon, marking a significant milestone for the business [5] Group 5 - CATL's IPO in Hong Kong has attracted 21 times oversubscription, raising at least 31.01 billion HKD, making it the largest IPO globally in 2025 [5] - The public offering portion received subscriptions totaling 51.7 billion HKD, approximately 48.07 billion RMB [5] Group 6 - Zeekr announced that it has not yet made a decision regarding Geely's proposal to acquire all outstanding shares of Zeekr, which Geely currently holds about 65.7% [5] Group 7 - A new security vulnerability affecting Intel's modern CPUs has been disclosed, impacting all processors from the ninth generation onward, allowing potential data theft from privileged memory areas [5] - Intel has stated that there are currently no known real-world exploits of this vulnerability [5] Group 8 - Mercedes-Benz is reportedly planning to reduce its number of dealerships in China by over 100, with most reductions expected to be completed by 2025 [6] - The decision is driven by the need to address price competition among dealers due to an oversupply of stores [6] Group 9 - The Ministry of Education has issued guidelines prohibiting students from copying AI-generated content for assignments or exams, aiming to regulate AI usage in education [8] Group 10 - The first batch of green electric vehicle owners in China has been established through a pilot program in Shenzhen, promoting the use of green electricity for charging [9]

Core Viewpoint - The current competitive landscape in the new energy vehicle sector is not favorable for Geely, prompting strategic adjustments and the privatization of Zeekr to enhance operational efficiency and market positioning [1][3][36]. Group 1: Privatization of Zeekr - Geely announced a non-binding offer to privatize Zeekr, which it currently holds approximately 65.7% of, at a price of $2.566 per share, representing a 13.6% premium over the last trading day [3][5]. - The privatization allows Zeekr to delist from the NYSE and integrate into Geely's structure, which is seen as a necessary move given the uncertain outlook of remaining publicly listed [5][36]. - This strategic move is viewed as a way for Geely to consolidate its resources and streamline operations amid increasing competition in the new energy vehicle market [6][30]. Group 2: Strategic Adjustments - Geely's management has emphasized a focus on core automotive operations, aiming to enhance efficiency and strategic collaboration across its various business units, as outlined in the "Taizhou Declaration" [6][8]. - The declaration highlights the need for a comprehensive review of Geely's business segments, aiming to clarify brand positioning and reduce internal competition [6][8]. - The integration of brands like Lynk & Co and Zeekr is part of a broader strategy to eliminate redundancy and improve resource utilization [8][9]. Group 3: Market Performance and Challenges - Despite the strategic adjustments, Geely's higher-end brands, including Zeekr and Polestar, have struggled in the market, with Polestar selling only 3,114 units in 2024 [10][12]. - The competitive landscape has intensified with the entry of new players like Xiaomi, which has significantly outperformed Geely's brands in sales [12][19]. - Geely's internal brand competition has led to confusion regarding product positioning and market strategy, impacting overall sales performance [12][19]. Group 4: Financial Performance of Zeekr - Zeekr has faced significant financial losses since its inception, with net losses of 4.514 billion, 7.655 billion, 8.264 billion, and 5.79 billion yuan from 2021 to 2024 [27]. - The brand's sales performance has not met expectations, with only 5.5 million units sold in the first four months of 2025, falling short of its annual target [26][27]. - The financial challenges faced by Zeekr are becoming increasingly apparent as competitors in the new energy sector begin to achieve profitability [27][30]. Group 5: Cost Control and Competitive Positioning - Cost control is a critical focus for both Zeekr and Geely, with expectations that the integration will lead to reduced R&D and BOM costs by 5% and 3%, respectively [30][31]. - The consolidation of brands is anticipated to enhance negotiation power with suppliers, thereby improving competitive pricing [30][31]. - The shift to a more streamlined operational model is seen as essential for maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market [30][31].