Z Finance·2025-03-27 21:31Core Viewpoint - NIO is facing severe financial difficulties despite high sales figures, with a record net loss of 22.4 billion RMB in 2024, leading to a loss of 100,911 RMB per vehicle sold [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - In 2024, NIO's total revenue reached 65.7 billion RMB, an 18% year-on-year increase, with automotive sales contributing 58.2 billion RMB [2]. - The net loss for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 7.1 billion RMB, contributing to an annual net loss of 22.4 billion RMB, resulting in a net loss margin of -34% [2][3]. - Cumulative net losses since NIO's IPO in 2018 have exceeded 100 billion RMB, highlighting the scale of financial challenges compared to industry leader BYD, which reported a net profit of 25.2 billion RMB in the first three quarters of 2024 [2][3]. Vehicle Delivery and Pricing - NIO delivered 220,000 vehicles in 2024, with an average selling price of approximately 262,301 RMB, while the average manufacturing cost per vehicle was 230,000 RMB, leading to a gross profit of 30,000 RMB per vehicle [3][4]. - The average selling price dropped to 240,000 RMB in the fourth quarter, influenced by the introduction of the lower-priced model L60 [3][4]. Cost Structure - R&D expenses per vehicle for NIO were 58,726 RMB, significantly higher than competitors like XPeng and Li Auto, which spent 33,985 RMB and 22,121 RMB respectively [5][6]. - Sales and administrative expenses per vehicle were 70,910 RMB, also exceeding those of competitors, indicating a high cost structure that is not yielding proportional returns [5][6]. Debt and Cash Flow - As of December 31, 2024, NIO had cash reserves of 41.9 billion RMB but faced short-term liabilities totaling 623 billion RMB, indicating a liquidity crisis [7][8]. - The company needs to repay short-term loans of 5.7 billion RMB and trade payables of 34.4 billion RMB within a year, raising concerns about its ability to meet obligations without external financing [7][8]. Strategic Challenges - The launch of the L60 model under the new brand "Lao Dao" has not met sales expectations, with deliveries significantly below targets, raising questions about market demand and brand strategy [10][11]. - NIO's multi-brand strategy has not effectively reduced fixed costs, and the lack of shared resources between brands has led to increased operational expenses [15][16]. - The company is under pressure to reassess its development strategy and improve cost efficiency to avoid further financial deterioration [16].