Zhong Guo Zhi Liang Xin Wen Wang·2025-12-09 07:28Core Insights - The Chinese electric vehicle market is entering a critical phase of stock competition, with distinct performance differences among NIO, Xpeng, and Li Auto, reflecting a shift from single-dimensional competition to comprehensive strength comparison in the industry [1] NIO - NIO's multi-brand strategy has begun to yield results, achieving record delivery and revenue figures, with 87,071 vehicles delivered in Q3, a year-on-year increase of 40.8% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 20.8% [3] - Q3 revenue reached 21.79 billion yuan, up 16.7% year-on-year and 14.7% quarter-on-quarter, with a significant improvement in profitability as automotive gross margin rose to 14.7%, the highest in three years [3][5] - Cost optimization has been a key factor in profitability improvement, with R&D expenses down 28% to 2.39 billion yuan, and cash reserves increased to 36.7 billion yuan, providing a solid foundation for future operations [5] - NIO aims for aggressive profitability targets, projecting Q4 deliveries of 120,000 to 125,000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 65.1% to 72.0%, and revenue of 32.76 billion to 34.04 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 66.3% to 72.8% [5] Xpeng - Xpeng experienced explosive growth in Q3, achieving record delivery of approximately 116,000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 149.3% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 12.4% [10] - Total revenue reached 20.38 billion yuan, up 101.8% year-on-year, with a gross margin of 20.1%, marking a significant milestone [10][12] - R&D expenses reached a historical high of 2.43 billion yuan, reflecting a long-term commitment to technology development, while Q4 delivery guidance indicates a cautious approach with expected deliveries of 125,000 to 132,000 vehicles [12][14] Li Auto - Li Auto ended a streak of 11 consecutive profitable quarters, with Q3 revenue down 36.2% to 27.4 billion yuan and a net loss of 624 million yuan, marking its first quarterly loss in three years [15][17] - Q3 delivery volume was approximately 93,200 vehicles, a year-on-year decline of 39.0%, primarily due to weak demand for range-extended vehicles and slow ramp-up of pure electric models [17] - Despite the challenges, Li Auto maintains a strong cash reserve of 98.9 billion yuan and plans to return to a startup management model to focus on user value and efficiency improvements [19][21] Industry Trends - The competition logic in the electric vehicle market has fundamentally changed, with a focus on technological innovation as the new core competitive advantage, moving away from reliance on single blockbuster models or price wars [21] - The year 2026 is anticipated to be pivotal for reshaping the landscape of new forces in the industry, with the success of NIO, Xpeng, and Li Auto hinging on their strategic execution and responsiveness to market changes [21]