WeRide Inc.(US:WRD) Xin Lang Zheng Quan·2025-10-21 10:57Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent listings of two major players in China's autonomous driving sector, Xiaoma Zhixing and Wenyuan Zhixing, on the Hong Kong stock market, highlighting their differing strategies and financial performances in a challenging industry environment [1]. Business Strategy Differences - Xiaoma Zhixing focuses on deepening its presence in China's first-tier cities and has obtained all available autonomous taxi licenses, while also exploring overseas markets like Luxembourg and the UAE [3][4]. - Wenyuan Zhixing adopts an "overseas first" strategy, concentrating on regions with clear economic advantages for autonomous vehicle operations, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, where it has established a leading position [3][4]. Fleet Composition and Scale - Wenyuan Zhixing operates a fleet of over 1500 autonomous vehicles, primarily focusing on taxi services, while Xiaoma Zhixing has a dual fleet strategy with over 680 autonomous taxis and 170 autonomous trucks, catering to both urban mobility and logistics [4]. Financial Performance - Both companies are experiencing significant losses, with Xiaoma Zhixing projected to generate $75.03 million in revenue and incur a net loss of $280 million in 2024, while Wenyuan Zhixing is expected to have $50.41 million in revenue and a net loss of $350 million [6][7]. - Wenyuan Zhixing maintains a gross margin above 30%, significantly higher than Xiaoma Zhixing's margins, indicating potential for profitability despite high loss rates [6]. Future Performance Predictions - Analysts predict that Wenyuan Zhixing may outperform Xiaoma Zhixing in 2025, with expected revenues of $89.6 million compared to Xiaoma's $82.1 million, and a narrower net loss for Wenyuan [7]. Additional Challenges for Xiaoma Zhixing - Xiaoma Zhixing faces increased scrutiny following a short-selling report that raised concerns about its technology, operational efficiency, and financial health, adding uncertainty to its future performance in the market [8].