Workflow
独家丨谷俊丽与奇瑞的800天
汽车商业评论·2025-06-17 14:23

Core Viewpoint - The dissolution of Chery Group's subsidiary, Dazhuo Intelligent Technology, signifies a shift in Chery's strategy from a technology-driven approach to a market-driven one, reflecting the challenges faced by traditional automakers in the wave of smart vehicle transformation [4][32][46]. Group 1: Background and Strategic Context - Dazhuo Intelligent was established in February 2023 with an 80% stake by Chery, aiming to spearhead Chery's smart driving initiatives, backed by a commitment of 20 billion yuan over five years [7][8]. - The initial ambitious goals included achieving a domestic and international installation of 1 million vehicles each by 2025, positioning Dazhuo as a focal point in Chery's smart transformation [8][10]. - The dual technical route of developing both L2+ and L4 technologies was intended to balance short-term gains with long-term innovation, but ultimately led to resource allocation issues [10][12]. Group 2: Challenges Faced by Dazhuo Intelligent - Dazhuo faced significant challenges in its L4 development, with insufficient funding and a lack of profitability projections, leading to a strategic retreat from ambitious projects [12][13]. - The reliance on third-party suppliers for core technologies resulted in a "hollowing out" of Dazhuo's capabilities, undermining its goal of being a fully integrated technology provider [15][16]. - Internal conflicts arose from a misalignment between Dazhuo's technological aspirations and Chery's focus on cost control and short-term profitability [18][19]. Group 3: Organizational and Cultural Issues - Dazhuo's organizational structure suffered from a lack of clear responsibilities, leading to inefficiencies and conflicts between technical and production teams [24][25]. - High employee turnover, particularly among core algorithm teams, hindered project progress and led to delays in product launches [26][27]. - Cultural clashes between Dazhuo's innovative management style and Chery's traditional corporate culture created barriers to effective decision-making and collaboration [22][23]. Group 4: Strategic Shift and Future Directions - The formation of the new Chery Intelligent Center marks a strategic pivot towards practical applications of technology, focusing on L2++ level smart driving systems and abandoning the L4 Robotaxi ambitions [32][33]. - The new center aims to enhance cross-departmental collaboration and resource sharing, addressing previous inefficiencies [34][35]. - A stricter budgetary approach emphasizes return on investment (ROI) and requires clear commercialization timelines for projects, reflecting a shift towards accountability and financial discipline [36][37]. Group 5: Industry Implications - Dazhuo's experience highlights a broader trend among traditional automakers facing similar challenges in balancing technological innovation with market demands [39][40]. - The ongoing debate about self-research versus collaboration in the automotive industry underscores the complexities of developing autonomous driving technologies [41][42]. - The case of Dazhuo serves as a cautionary tale for other traditional automakers, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to innovation and operational efficiency [43][45].