Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the entrepreneurial journey of "TaoTao Vehicle," a company founded by the "Cao family," which has rapidly grown to become a significant player in the low-speed electric vehicle market, particularly in the U.S. market, with a revenue of nearly 3 billion yuan in 2024, largely supported by family resources and capital operations [1][3][21]. Group 1: Company Background and Growth - TaoTao Vehicle, established in 2015, has achieved remarkable growth, with revenues soaring from zero to 1.386 billion yuan by 2020 and reaching 2.977 billion yuan in 2024 [3][21]. - The company has expanded its operations globally, becoming the second-largest player in the low-speed electric vehicle industry, with significant sales in North America and production bases in the U.S. and Southeast Asia [5][21]. - The company went public on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange's Growth Enterprise Market in 2023, raising 2 billion yuan [3][21]. Group 2: Family Support and Financial Operations - The Cao family provided substantial financial support to TaoTao Vehicle, including a gift of 28.5 million yuan from the grandfather, with most of the funds originating from the family-controlled TaoTao Group [7][8]. - The family has been involved in various financial maneuvers, including borrowing 107 million yuan from TaoTao Group in 2018, which was repaid by the end of the year, indicating strong family backing for the business [3][17]. - There are indications of financial intermingling between TaoTao Vehicle and TaoTao Group, with significant transfers and shared resources, raising questions about the independence of the two entities [13][14]. Group 3: Recent Developments and Compliance Issues - Despite strong financial performance, TaoTao Vehicle has faced scrutiny regarding its compliance and operational practices, including a recent administrative penalty for misreporting export specifications [24]. - The company is preparing for a secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with plans to raise additional capital despite having a strong cash reserve of 1.34 billion yuan as of Q3 2025 [21][22][23]. - The article highlights the ongoing narrative of the Cao family's business operations, suggesting that while the company has achieved success, the complexities of its financial history and family dynamics continue to unfold [24][25].
富三代卖“老头乐”杀疯北美!揭秘涛涛车业背后的家族资本局