Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-11-24 06:38Core Viewpoint - The sudden suspension of operations at Haomo Zhixing, a smart driving company incubated by Great Wall Motors, has left approximately 300 to 400 employees facing significant uncertainty, highlighting the challenges faced by companies in the smart driving sector amid fierce competition and technological transitions [1][11]. Company Overview - Haomo Zhixing, established in November 2019, was previously part of Great Wall Motors' intelligent driving system development department, focusing on passenger car assisted driving and logistics automation [1][2]. - The company had raised approximately 2 billion RMB in funding and achieved a valuation exceeding 1 billion USD, positioning itself as a unicorn in the industry [2]. Technological Achievements - The company launched its first logistics automation vehicle, "Xiao Mo Tuo," in November 2020 and developed the MANA intelligent data system, along with the DriveGPT cognitive model [2]. - As of 2024, Haomo Zhixing's user driving mileage surpassed 250 million kilometers, equivalent to circling the Earth 60,000 times [2]. Challenges and Setbacks - Despite past successes, Haomo Zhixing faced significant challenges in transitioning from "image-based" to "non-image-based" smart driving technology, a critical juncture for survival in the industry [3][4]. - The company failed to deliver satisfactory "non-image" solutions, leading to Great Wall Motors losing patience and opting to collaborate with external suppliers like Yuanrong Qixing [5][6][7]. Market Position and Competition - The decision to partner with external suppliers marked a loss of leadership for Haomo Zhixing in the high-level smart driving supply chain [8]. - The company's dual identity as a technology firm and a subsidiary of an automotive manufacturer created fundamental conflicts, hindering its ability to expand its customer base and overcome trust barriers with other automakers [8][9]. Financial and Operational Struggles - Haomo Zhixing attempted to pivot to the mid-to-low level assisted driving market but faced intense competition and price wars, which severely impacted its financial stability [9][11]. - The company initiated layoffs in late 2024, but as funding became constrained, the situation deteriorated rapidly, leading to the current operational halt [9][11]. Industry Context - The smart driving industry in China is experiencing a significant shakeout, with over a thousand companies competing and at least 300 publicly listed firms involved in smart driving technologies [12][13]. - The case of Haomo Zhixing illustrates the harsh realities of the smart driving sector, where once-promising unicorns can quickly fall from grace amid technological shifts and market pressures [13][14].