长城“亲儿子”陨落，毫末智行没撑到 IPO

Core Insights - The downfall of Haomo Zhixing, once a promising autonomous driving unicorn valued over $1 billion, was unexpected despite signs of trouble in the past few years [3][4][10] - The company faced significant challenges in delivering its urban NOH (Navigation on Highways) technology, which led to a loss of confidence from its parent company, Great Wall Motors [5][6][7] - Haomo's internal management issues and inability to keep pace with market demands contributed to its decline, as competitors like Yuanrong Qixing gained favor with Great Wall Motors [4][6][7] Company Background - Haomo Zhixing was established in November 2019 as a spin-off from Great Wall Motors' technology center, with a leadership team that included members from both Great Wall and major tech firms like Baidu and Huawei [4] - The company initially had strong backing and funding, completing multiple financing rounds that raised significant capital [9][10] Operational Challenges - The repeated delays in launching the urban NOH feature, initially promised for late 2022, severely impacted the company's credibility and relationship with Great Wall Motors [6][7] - By 2024, Great Wall Motors shifted its focus to external partners for autonomous driving solutions, further marginalizing Haomo [6][7] Financial Struggles - Despite a strong start with substantial investments, Haomo faced challenges in progressing towards an IPO, with reports of internal halts and layoffs surfacing in late 2024 [10][11] - The company experienced a drastic reduction in workforce, from over a thousand employees to around 200, indicating severe operational and financial distress [10][11] Industry Context - The autonomous driving sector is undergoing rapid changes, with increasing competition and a shift towards companies that can deliver tangible results [12] - Haomo's situation reflects a broader trend in the industry where companies that fail to meet production and technological standards are at risk of being eliminated [12]