Dongguan Securities·2025-12-19 09:03Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the automotive industry, indicating an expectation that the industry index will outperform the market index by more than 10% over the next six months [2][45]. Core Insights - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has officially granted L3 autonomous driving permits for two vehicle models, marking a significant transition from testing to commercial operation in China's autonomous driving sector. This shift also indicates a legal transition of responsibility from drivers to systems, enhancing regulatory frameworks around product safety and accountability [3][5][41]. - The automotive sector has shown mixed performance, with the automotive index declining by 0.17% over the past two weeks, underperforming the CSI 300 index by 0.31 percentage points. However, the sector has increased by 17.49% year-to-date, outperforming the CSI 300 index by 1.78 percentage points [10][15]. - In November, China's automotive production reached 3.532 million units, a year-on-year increase of 2.8%, while sales were 3.429 million units, up 3.4% year-on-year. Exports surged by 48.6% year-on-year to 728,000 units [19][20]. Summary by Sections Automotive Industry Trends and Valuation Review - As of December 18, 2025, the automotive sector has experienced a year-to-date increase of 17.49%, ranking 12th among 31 industries. The sector's performance has been relatively stable despite recent declines [10][15]. Industry Data Tracking - In November, automotive production and sales showed positive growth, with production increasing by 2.8% year-on-year and sales by 3.4%. Exports saw a significant rise of 48.6% year-on-year [19][20]. Industry News - The Ministry of Commerce announced ongoing negotiations between China and Europe regarding electric vehicles, aiming to resolve differences and create a stable market environment [27]. - Guangzhou has initiated a second round of automotive consumption promotion with a supplementary fund of 300 million yuan to stimulate car purchases [29]. - Chongqing is advancing "AI+" smart connected vehicles, focusing on enhancing research and manufacturing in intelligent driving and vehicle-grade chips [30]. Corporate News - Yutong Bus is actively following up on L3 autonomous driving developments, while CATL and Lantu have signed a ten-year cooperation agreement focusing on battery technology and integrated chassis [35][36]. - Xpeng Motors has received an L3 autonomous driving road testing license in Guangzhou, marking a step forward in practical applications of autonomous technology [39]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on companies that are expanding their overseas markets and enhancing their technological capabilities, such as BYD, Seres, and Yutong Bus. These companies are expected to benefit from the increasing penetration of intelligent driving configurations and the transition to L3 autonomous driving [41][42].