XIAOMI(HK:01810) 美股IPO·2025-11-18 13:57Core Viewpoint - Xiaomi's automotive division is expected to face significant challenges in 2026 due to reduced purchase tax subsidies and intensified competition, leading to a potential decline in gross margins next year, although Q4 of this year is anticipated to maintain a "good level" of performance [1][3][4]. Automotive Performance - Xiaomi's automotive division is on track to meet its annual delivery target of 350,000 vehicles, with over 100,000 new cars delivered in Q3 and a total of over 260,000 vehicles delivered in the first three quarters [3][4]. - The company aims to prioritize delivery volume in the short term while maintaining healthy gross margins despite the anticipated impact of reduced purchase tax subsidies on average selling price (ASP) and gross margins [4][15]. Memory Cost Impact - The rising memory costs are expected to significantly affect the gross margins of mobile and other products, driven by increased demand from AI and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) applications [6][9][10]. - Xiaomi has proactively secured supply agreements for 2026 to mitigate the impact of memory cost increases on its mobile business, although price adjustments may be necessary to offset some of the cost pressures [6][10][11]. High-End Market Strategy - Xiaomi is focusing on enhancing its presence in the high-end smartphone market, with a target of achieving 30 million high-end phone sales by 2030, despite the challenges posed by rising memory costs [14][26]. - The company has maintained a market share growth strategy, aiming to increase its share from 15.8% last year to approximately 17% this year [14][26]. AIoT and Smart Home Initiatives - Xiaomi has launched a unified operating system, Xiaomi OS, to enhance its IoT capabilities and improve user experience through deep integration of software and hardware [17][18]. - The company is exploring open-source smart home solutions, such as MI local, to advance its AIoT strategy and maintain ecosystem openness [24]. Overseas Expansion and Retail Strategy - Xiaomi is expanding its retail presence in East Asia and Europe, with plans to enter Latin America and Africa next year, while ensuring that its new retail model remains efficient and profitable [21][32]. - The company aims to open approximately 5,000 new stores in 2024 and 2025, focusing on improving the operational efficiency of existing stores [31][32]. Financial Management and Cost Control - The increase in operating expenses in the mobile and IoT segments is attributed to rising R&D costs and the expansion of the retail network, which requires time to reach optimal operational efficiency [33].