Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-10-17 12:32Core Viewpoint - NIO's stock price experienced significant volatility due to a lawsuit filed by Singapore's GIC, alleging that NIO inflated revenue through an external company, Wuhan Weinan Battery, misleading investors [1][4][9] Group 1: Lawsuit and Market Reaction - On October 16, NIO's Hong Kong stock fell nearly 9% amid renewed media attention on the lawsuit, despite the case being temporarily shelved in U.S. courts [1][12] - The following day, NIO's stock rebounded by 2%, indicating potential market recovery or investor confidence [1] - The lawsuit is seen as a possible tactic by large investors to manipulate stock prices for profit, reminiscent of "rumor selling" strategies in capital markets [1][3] Group 2: Background of the Lawsuit - GIC purchased approximately 54.45 million shares of NIO from August 2020 to July 2022, but has since incurred losses due to the bear market and NIO's failure to achieve profitability [4][6] - The lawsuit is based on U.S. securities law, allowing collective action if a company is found to have committed fraud or misrepresentation that led to investor losses [6][8] Group 3: NIO's Business Model and Financial Practices - The core of GIC's allegations revolves around NIO's battery-as-a-service (BaaS) model, which allows consumers to purchase vehicles without batteries, lowering the initial cost by 25%-30% [9][11] - NIO established Wuhan Weinan Battery in August 2020, holding a 19.4% stake, with other significant shareholders including state-owned entities and CATL [9][11] - The financial structure allows NIO to recognize revenue from both vehicle sales and battery leasing, which may inflate reported income [11][12] Group 4: Implications and Future Outlook - The outcome of the collective lawsuit could lead to either dismissal or a settlement, with an uncertain timeline that may extend for years [10][12] - NIO's accounting practices are compliant with regulations, but the strategy may provide a competitive edge in valuation compared to peers [12] - Long-term performance will ultimately depend on NIO's ability to sustain sales growth, similar to the recovery seen in other companies like Luckin Coffee [13]