Core Viewpoint - The automotive industry is witnessing a significant shift from LiDAR-based systems to pure vision-based systems for autonomous driving, with companies like Xpeng leading this transition, which has drawn attention from industry leaders like Elon Musk [1][4][5]. Group 1: Transition from LiDAR to Vision - Xpeng is currently the only major automaker transitioning from LiDAR to a pure vision approach, which is a notable reason for Musk's humorous response [5]. - The decision to remove LiDAR from Xpeng's vehicles is based on the belief that advanced AI systems can operate effectively using only visual data, as LiDAR data cannot be integrated into their new AI models [7][15]. - Xpeng's AI Eagle Eye system has demonstrated significant computational power, with models like the G7 achieving 2200 TOPS, which supports complex tasks necessary for autonomous driving [11][32]. Group 2: Computational Power and AI - The computational requirements for pure vision systems are substantial, as they must process large volumes of data from cameras to perform tasks like lane keeping and object recognition [11][12]. - The evolution of AI algorithms, from CNN to Transformer models, necessitates high computational power to ensure smooth operation of advanced driving systems [11][15]. - Xpeng's previous use of LiDAR was primarily to compensate for earlier computational limitations, but advancements have allowed them to confidently move to a vision-only approach [12][32]. Group 3: Industry Perspectives on LiDAR - Many domestic brands continue to favor LiDAR due to its superior performance in challenging lighting conditions, which enhances safety and reliability in autonomous driving [18][19]. - The integration of LiDAR has been shown to reduce accident rates significantly, reinforcing its value in safety-critical applications [20]. - Despite the trend towards vision systems, the automotive industry is likely to see a coexistence of both LiDAR and vision technologies, as each has its unique advantages [32]. Group 4: Market Dynamics and Consumer Preferences - Consumers prioritize the overall driving experience and safety features over the specific technologies used, indicating that the market will reward effective solutions regardless of the underlying technology [31]. - The ongoing competition between LiDAR and vision-based systems reflects a broader technological evolution, with the ultimate goal of providing the best consumer experience [32].

Group 1 - The company plans to conduct a new 24-hour endurance test for the all-new XPENG P7, starting from zero after resolving the track water accumulation issue to ensure "absolute authenticity and completeness" of the test results [3] - The test is scheduled to begin today, with the goal of achieving "continuous 24 hours of driving without stopping" while performing high-speed driving and rapid charging, indicating a high level of difficulty and intensity [7] - The company's vice president, Thomas, mentioned that due to foggy weather conditions, the team is currently monitoring the situation before restarting the test [5]

Investment Rating - Maintain recommendation [6] Core Insights - The wholesale of passenger cars is growing faster than retail, with a stable and rapid growth in the passenger car market. In July 2025, the national retail of passenger cars reached 1.834 million units, a year-on-year increase of 7%, while wholesale reached 2.192 million units, a year-on-year increase of 12% [1][20] - The new energy vehicle market is also showing strong growth, with retail sales of 1.003 million units in July, a year-on-year increase of 14%, and a cumulative retail of 6.472 million units this year, up 30% year-on-year [1][20] - The penetration rate of new energy vehicles in the passenger car market reached 54.7% in July, indicating a significant shift towards electric vehicles [1][20] Summary by Sections 1. Weekly Market Review - The automotive sector rose by 2.68% in the week of August 2-8, 2025, outperforming the Shanghai Composite Index by 1.45 percentage points [12] - The motorcycle and other segments saw the highest increase of 8.24%, while the passenger car segment experienced a slight decline of 0.65% [15] 2. Weekly Data Tracking - Passenger car retail and wholesale data for July 1-31, 2025, showed retail at 1.834 million units and wholesale at 2.192 million units, both reflecting year-on-year growth [20] - The new energy vehicle segment's wholesale reached 1.179 million units in July, with a year-on-year increase of 25% [20] 3. Industry News - Chery and Huawei signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the Zhijie brand, committing over 10 billion yuan and increasing the R&D team to 5,000 people [2][49] - Li Auto announced a price reduction for the Li One model, now priced at 339,800 yuan, reflecting the competitive nature of the mid-to-high-end electric vehicle market [3][41] - The integration of autonomous driving teams within Geely aims to streamline operations and enhance technological capabilities [32] 4. Investment Suggestions - Focus on leading automotive companies enhancing their competitive edge in differentiated markets and the potential for brand reputation to create a snowball effect [4]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommend" rating for the automotive industry, with an optimistic outlook for the second half of the year [1]. Core Insights - Traditional automakers are expected to ramp up marketing activities in August, leading to a positive sales outlook for the second half of the year. The market is still digesting weak investment sentiment, and patience is advised while waiting for the release of semi-annual reports [1]. Data Tracking - In July, new energy vehicle deliveries showed significant growth for Xpeng, with a year-on-year increase of 2.3 times, while Li Auto saw a decline of 39.7% year-on-year. BYD delivered 344,296 vehicles, a slight increase of 0.6% year-on-year, but a decrease of 10.0% month-on-month [2][18]. - Traditional automakers also saw notable sales growth, with Geely's sales reaching 238,000 units, up 57.6% year-on-year. SAIC Group led the sales with 338,000 units, a 34.2% increase year-on-year [20]. Discount Rates and Amounts - The average discount rate in late July was 10.0%, a slight increase of 0.1 percentage points from early July, and the average discount amount was 22,311 yuan, up 126 yuan from early July [3][22]. Industry News - The report highlights significant developments in the automotive sector, including the launch of new models by various manufacturers, such as the new Audi A5L and Q6L e-tron, and the introduction of the third-generation UNI-V by Changan [28][29]. - The penetration rate of new energy vehicles reached 54.0% in July, marking a 2.7 percentage point increase year-on-year, with new energy vehicles accounting for 21.4% of the market share [28]. Market Performance - The automotive sector saw a weekly increase of 2.35%, ranking 9th among 29 sectors. The overall market indices also showed positive growth, with the Shanghai Composite Index rising by 2.11% [7].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" and it is maintained [6]. Core Views - In July 2025, the company delivered 36,717 new vehicles, representing a year-on-year increase of 229.4% and a month-on-month increase of 6.1%. Cumulatively, from January to July 2025, the company delivered 234,000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 270.3% [2][4][8]. - The company is expected to see steady sales growth due to a strong new car cycle, with the MONA M03 and P7+ models contributing significantly. The company is also benefiting from cost reductions in platforms and technology, as well as an expanding software revenue model and continued growth in international markets [2][8]. Summary by Sections Sales Performance - July 2025 saw a record monthly delivery of 36,717 vehicles, with a year-on-year growth of 229.4% and a month-on-month growth of 6.1%. The total deliveries from January to July 2025 reached 234,000 vehicles, marking a year-on-year increase of 270.3% [2][4][8]. - The cumulative delivery of vehicles has surpassed 800,000 units as of July 2025. The MONA M03 model delivered over 15,000 units in July, maintaining strong sales momentum [8]. New Product Launches - The company is entering a strong new car cycle with the recent launches of the MONA M03 and P7+. The G7 model was launched on July 3, 2025, and has already seen significant pre-orders. Upcoming models, including the new generation P7 and the Kunpeng super electric vehicle, are expected to further enhance sales in the latter half of the year [8]. Financial Outlook - The company is projected to achieve a revenue of 99.1 billion yuan in 2025, with a price-to-sales ratio of 1.2X. The software revenue is expected to show significant improvement, contributing to a positive financial outlook as the company enters a new car cycle [8].