Zheshang Securities(SH:601878) Ge Long Hui·2025-08-15 05:40Core Viewpoint - The report by Zheshang Securities on Cao Cao Mobility (2643.HK) initiates coverage with a "Buy" rating and a target price of HKD 103.17 per share, implying a market capitalization of HKD 56.2 billion by 2026, highlighting the company's strong position in the ride-hailing industry and potential for growth in the upcoming Robotaxi commercialization wave [1][2] Group 1: Company Performance and Strategy - As of the end of 2024, Cao Cao Mobility has become the second-largest player in the ride-hailing industry, with approximately 1.5 million active vehicles and a Gross Transaction Value (GTV) of about CNY 17 billion [1] - The company operates in 136 cities nationwide and plans to expand into 85 new cities using a light-asset model, selling customized vehicles to local partners and incentivizing them to provide services on the platform [1] - By the end of 2024, the company aims to have over 1,000 cooperative partners, with partner revenue expected to grow by 34% year-on-year, and plans to open 200 new cities by 2025 [1] Group 2: Cost Control and Operational Efficiency - Cao Cao Mobility leverages the Geely ecosystem to introduce customized electric vehicles specifically designed for shared mobility, with 34,000 of these vehicles deployed in 31 core cities by the end of 2024, leading the fleet size in its category [1] - The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the customized vehicles is 36% lower than typical electric vehicles, contributing to an expected gross margin increase to 8.1% in 2024, indicating ongoing improvements in profitability [1] Group 3: Future Growth Potential - The Robotaxi business is identified as the company's largest growth engine, with the "Cao Cao Zhixing" autonomous driving platform launched in February 2025, currently piloting in Suzhou and Hangzhou [2] - The company is collaborating with Geely to develop L4-level Robotaxi models, which are anticipated to have a significantly lower TCO compared to industry peers [2] - According to Frost & Sullivan, the Chinese Robotaxi market is projected to reach CNY 1.6 trillion by 2035, positioning Cao Cao Mobility to benefit from industry growth through its integrated approach of customized vehicles, smart driving, and a comprehensive mobility platform [2] Group 4: Financial Projections - Zheshang Securities forecasts that the company's revenue will reach CNY 19.7 billion, CNY 25.6 billion, and CNY 30 billion in 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 27% [2] - EBITDA is expected to be CNY 430 million, CNY 860 million, and CNY 1.27 billion for the same years, with EBIT turning positive in 2026 and net profit attributable to shareholders expected to be realized in 2027 [2] - Following its IPO on June 25, 2023, at HKD 41.94 per share, the stock price has risen by 57.6% to HKD 66.1 as of August 14, 2023, with expectations of inclusion in the Hong Kong Stock Connect on September 8, potentially attracting significant new capital [2]