Core Viewpoint - DeepWay, a new energy heavy truck company co-founded by Baidu and Lionbridge, has submitted its prospectus for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to become the first smart heavy truck company to list in Hong Kong. The company has shown significant revenue growth but is still in a loss-making phase, raising questions about its profitability as it seeks to enter the public market [1][31]. Company Overview - DeepWay was established in December 2020 and has quickly positioned itself as a leading player in the new energy heavy truck sector, with a global market share of 2.7% as of 2024 [1]. - The company reported revenues of 426 million yuan, 1.969 billion yuan, and 1.506 billion yuan for the years 2023, 2024, and the first half of 2025, respectively, with year-on-year growth rates of 362.5% and 97.6% [1]. - Despite high revenue growth, DeepWay has incurred significant losses, totaling approximately 1.702 billion yuan from 2022 to the first half of 2025 [1]. Financial Performance - DeepWay's primary revenue source is the sale of new energy heavy trucks, which accounted for 99.9%, 99.6%, and 99.4% of total revenue in 2023, 2024, and the first half of 2025, respectively [1]. - The company's gross margins are concerning, with rates of 0.4%, 0.5%, and 2.9% for 2023, 2024, and the first half of 2025, respectively, while traditional heavy trucks typically have gross margins of 10% to 15% [1][2]. Industry Context - The heavy truck industry is experiencing a price war, leading to a decline in average gross margins below 10% [3][4]. - DeepWay's pricing strategy aligns with industry trends, with suggested retail prices ranging from 470,000 to 700,000 yuan [4]. - The market is increasingly concentrated, with the top five companies holding a market share of 71% as of early 2024, indicating a "Matthew Effect" where larger firms continue to dominate [15][16]. Supply Chain and Customer Concentration - DeepWay's customer base is highly concentrated, with the top five clients accounting for 50.7% of revenue in 2024, and the first client alone contributing about 25% [6][8]. - On the supply side, the top five suppliers represent 92.3% of total procurement in 2024, with the largest supplier accounting for over 60% [7][8]. Technological Development - DeepWay has invested heavily in R&D, with expenditures of 231 million yuan, 352 million yuan, and 365 million yuan for 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively, and 179 million yuan in the first half of 2025 [9][10]. - The company has developed a full-stack three-electric system, which constitutes over 60% of the vehicle's cost, aiming to control costs and enhance competitiveness [11]. - DeepWay's autonomous driving technology is still in development, focusing on a gradual approach to commercialize its capabilities [12][13]. Market Challenges - The new energy heavy truck market is facing significant challenges, including high competition from established players and the need for new entrants to prove reliability and cost-effectiveness [21][22]. - The narrative around autonomous driving technology does not resonate with commercial vehicle buyers, who prioritize total cost of ownership (TCO) over technological features [24][26]. - DeepWay's reliance on partnerships for manufacturing and technology raises questions about its long-term viability and market positioning [13][31]. Future Outlook - DeepWay aims to expand its international market presence, targeting over 60% of revenue from overseas by 2030, with existing networks in Singapore, Thailand, and the UAE [32]. - The company is focused on reducing manufacturing costs through technological upgrades and is exploring new market opportunities to enhance its competitive edge [31][32].