汽车行业周报：车企加速入局机器人及AI，新技术仍具备成长赛道投资机会

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Overweight," indicating that the industry is expected to outperform the overall market [26]. Core Insights - The automotive market is experiencing a significant increase in retail sales, with an average daily retail of 63,000 vehicles in early December, representing a 32% year-on-year growth [5][8]. - The shift towards electric vehicles is supported by government policies, including trade-in incentives for older fuel vehicles, which are expected to stimulate demand [6][29]. - The report highlights the importance of new technologies and the entry of major players like BYD and Tesla into the market, which are anticipated to drive growth in the electric vehicle sector [43][74]. Summary by Sections Industry Performance - In December, the wholesale volume of passenger cars reached 1.138 million units, a 39% increase year-on-year, with a cumulative wholesale of 25.254 million units for the year, reflecting a 7% growth [8][9]. - The traditional raw material price index has decreased by 2.1% week-on-week, while the new energy vehicle raw material price index has decreased by 3.1% [12][13]. Key Company Updates - Companies like Xpeng Motors are expanding production capabilities, with EVE Energy adding multiple production lines for battery cells to support the P7+ model [3][108]. - Honda and Nissan are reportedly in merger negotiations, which could reshape the Japanese automotive landscape [78][80]. Market Trends - The report notes a seasonal increase in inventory in December, driven by strong consumer demand leading up to the Lunar New Year [9][131]. - The penetration rate of new energy vehicles reached 47.93% in the latest week, indicating a growing acceptance of electric vehicles among consumers [43]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on companies with strong growth potential in the electric vehicle sector, such as BYD and Xpeng Motors, as well as component manufacturers that are well-positioned to benefit from the industry's transition to electric vehicles [45][49].