Core Viewpoint - Zhongtai Securities initiates a "Buy" rating for Chery Automobile (09973), highlighting its strong export capabilities and first-mover advantage, with expectations for simultaneous growth in volume and profit due to orderly advancement of domestic new energy brands and deep collaboration with Huawei [1] Group 1: Industry Insights - The shift in core capabilities for automakers emphasizes demand control and the pace of electrification as critical for market share growth, moving away from traditional product cycles [2] - The competitive landscape has evolved post-2021, with domestic and joint venture brands increasing their market share through strategic adjustments [2] Group 2: Growth Review - Chery's market share has significantly increased since 2017, transitioning from reliance on low-cost small cars to a focus on quality and export growth [3] - The company has experienced a resurgence and growth phase from 2017 to 2021, marked by improved product strength and successful sub-brand strategies [3] - The current explosive growth phase (2022-present) is characterized by technological advancements and a rapid transition to new energy vehicles, leading to record sales [3] Group 3: Current Development Status - Chery's internal combustion vehicle lineup, particularly the Aiyre and Ruihu series, continues to perform well, supporting overall growth [4] - The Wind and Cloud sub-brand is beginning to show results in the new energy transition, while the Jietu and Zhijie brands are developing independently [4] - Financially, Chery is projected to achieve revenues of 269.9 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 65.4%, and a net profit of 14.14 billion yuan, up 18.3% year-on-year [4] Group 4: Core Competitiveness - Chery's first-mover advantage in exports has created a strong competitive moat, with leading engine technology and smart capabilities enhanced by Huawei [5] - The company has established a stable increase in export volumes, focusing on regions such as Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, with overseas production capacity reaching approximately 1 million units [5] - The new Kunpeng engine boasts a thermal efficiency of 48%, the highest globally, with production capacity expected to double by 2026 [5] Group 5: Future Outlook - Chery plans to focus on the Wind and Cloud brands for market penetration, with significant advancements in technology and product offerings [6] - The company aims to enhance its domestic oil vehicle market share, which has increased by 4.1 percentage points over the past three years, positioning it as the second-largest among domestic brands [6] - Continued expansion in key overseas markets is anticipated to contribute positively to profits [6]