禾赛科技 CEO 李一帆：“每天早上起来，我都在想昨天的自己的傻”

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the journey of Hesai Technology, highlighting the importance of adapting to market needs and the evolution of its CEO, Li Yifan, from a technology-focused entrepreneur to a savvy business leader who understands the significance of sales and marketing in the tech industry [4][10]. Group 1: Company Background and Evolution - Hesai Technology was founded by Li Yifan, Sun Kai, and Xiang Shaoqing, who have impressive academic backgrounds and experience in technology [6]. - The company initially focused on detecting hazardous gases using lidar technology but pivoted to the automotive lidar market, where it has become a leader with a market share of over 100% in China [6][10]. - The first product was designed to be high-performance and cost-effective, significantly undercutting competitors like Velodyne [6][10]. Group 2: Market Challenges and Strategies - Since 2016, lidar prices have plummeted by 99.5%, leading to intense price competition [7]. - Li Yifan learned the importance of understanding customer needs and effectively communicating the value of lidar technology, especially in the face of skepticism from industry leaders like Elon Musk [7][10]. - The company emphasizes the need for a strong brand identity and product differentiation rather than merely competing on price [21][25]. Group 3: Leadership and Management Philosophy - Li Yifan's leadership style evolved from a technical focus to a more holistic approach that includes understanding market dynamics and customer relationships [11][14]. - The company values a culture of ownership among employees, encouraging them to think beyond their immediate roles [33]. - Li Yifan believes that maintaining a balance between innovation and operational efficiency is crucial for long-term success [18][31]. Group 4: Future Outlook and Market Position - Hesai Technology aims to maintain a competitive edge by investing at least 30% more in R&D compared to its closest competitor [26]. - The company recognizes the importance of the Chinese automotive market while also exploring opportunities in higher-margin sectors like robotics [25][26]. - The focus remains on delivering high-quality, high-performance products while ensuring that pricing remains reasonable to avoid losing customers to competitors [25][26].