太突然！估值超10亿美元的智驾“独角兽”，如今“停工放假”

Core Viewpoint - The company, Haomo Zhixing, is facing significant operational challenges, including a sudden suspension of work and potential financial instability, as indicated by the recent notice to employees and the freezing of accounts [1][4][5]. Company Situation - On November 22, Haomo Zhixing issued a notice for all employees to stop work starting November 24, 2025, which came as a surprise yet was somewhat expected by employees [1]. - The current number of employees has dropped to fewer than 300, a significant decrease from over 500 reported in September 2021 [1]. - Employees are concerned about unpaid wages and social security contributions, with reports indicating that the company has not paid salaries for October and there are fears about November payments [4][5]. Management Response - The management has remained silent following the suspension notice, with employees expressing a desire for clarity regarding their compensation and social security issues [1][4]. - There are indications that the company will not renew contracts for employees whose labor agreements are expiring [4]. Financial Background - Haomo Zhixing has undergone seven rounds of financing since its establishment in 2019, with a valuation exceeding $1 billion, and received significant investments from major firms including Great Wall Motors and Meituan [5][7]. - Despite its financial backing, the company has faced operational setbacks, particularly after losing orders and investments, leading to a growing sense of crisis within the organization [7]. Industry Context - The autonomous driving industry is experiencing a shift from rule-driven to intelligence-driven frameworks, creating a competitive environment where companies must innovate rapidly to avoid being left behind [8][9]. - The current market dynamics suggest that only a few players will survive in the autonomous driving sector, with predictions indicating that by 2026, the landscape will be dominated by only two to three companies in China and three to four globally [9].