Core Viewpoint - 51 Credit Card is struggling with its business transformation, particularly in the automotive sector with its Vala brand, which has not met sales expectations and has led to significant financial losses [2][11]. Group 1: Business Transformation and Strategy - 51 Credit Card, previously involved in credit card management and P2P lending, is attempting to pivot towards the automotive industry with the launch of the Vala vehicle, aiming to redefine automotive lifestyle [5][12]. - The founder, Sun Haitao, has ambitious plans for Vala, likening it to the iPhone of the automotive industry, but the vehicle's niche positioning and design have received criticism [2][15]. - The company plans to change its name to Vala, indicating a strong commitment to this new direction, despite current challenges [2][15]. Group 2: Sales Performance and Market Comparison - In the first quarter of 2025, Vala delivered only 99 vehicles, averaging about one sale per day, which is significantly lower than competitors like SAIC Maxus, which sells over 230 vehicles per quarter [3][11]. - Vala has received a total of 442 purchase orders historically, but the sales network remains limited, with only 110 co-creators recruited to date [9][11]. Group 3: Financial Performance - For 2024, 51 Credit Card reported a net loss of 69.018 million yuan, a staggering increase of 2092.4% compared to the previous year's loss of 3.148 million yuan, primarily due to increased R&D and operational costs in the automotive sector [11][14]. - The company's revenue for 2024 was approximately 224.649 million yuan, reflecting a modest growth of 3.4% year-on-year, but the financial strain from the automotive venture is evident [10][11]. Group 4: Product Development and Future Plans - Vala's initial model has been criticized for its limited battery capacity and design flaws, leading to a perception of it as an experimental product [7][8]. - The introduction of Vala Pro aims to address some of these issues with improved specifications, but at a higher price point of 268,000 yuan [7][8]. - Future models, including Vala mini and Vala Air, are planned to target younger consumers, but their market impact remains uncertain [7][8].
一天仅卖一辆！ 51信用卡跨界造车，一场自嗨？ | 次世代车研所