Core Insights - Chery Automobile successfully completed its IPO on September 25, 2025, raising approximately HKD 9.145 billion at an issue price of HKD 30.75, marking the largest IPO for a car company in the Hong Kong market in 2025 [1][5] - The journey to this IPO has been lengthy and complex, spanning 21 years with multiple setbacks and attempts [3][4] Historical Context - Chery's IPO ambitions began in 2004 but were hindered by complicated equity relationships with SAIC Motor Corporation, leading to delays [3] - In 2009, Chery sold a 20% stake for CNY 2.9 billion, signaling preparations for an IPO, but plans were again postponed in 2011 due to concerns over related party transactions [3][4] - A failed attempt to list its subsidiary Chery New Energy in 2016 further complicated its path to going public [4] Recent Developments - By 2025, Chery's financial performance had significantly improved, with projected revenues exceeding CNY 269.9 billion and net profits reaching CNY 14.3 billion, maintaining its position as the top exporter among Chinese independent passenger car brands for 22 consecutive years [5] - The company restructured its equity and organizational framework, introducing diverse investors and establishing a domestic business unit to enhance strategic focus and resource integration [5] Market Position and Future Outlook - The IPO attracted 13 cornerstone investors, raising USD 588 million, indicating strong market confidence in Chery's dual strategy of technology and international expansion [6] - Despite the successful listing, challenges remain, including a less than 30% revenue contribution from new energy vehicles and reliance on external partnerships for smart technology [6] - The company plans to allocate 35% of the raised funds for developing various passenger car models, 25% for next-generation vehicles and advanced technologies, and 20% for global expansion, aiming to leverage capital for a strategic push in smart and global markets [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - Chery Automobile successfully completed its IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising approximately HKD 9.145 billion, marking the largest IPO for a car company in the Hong Kong market in 2025, with an initial price increase of over 13% on the first day [1][6] Group 1: IPO Journey - Chery's IPO journey began in 2004 but faced multiple setbacks, including complex equity relationships with SAIC Motor Corporation that delayed its plans [3][4] - In 2009, Chery sold 20% of its shares for CNY 2.9 billion, signaling a potential preparation for an IPO, but the plan was postponed in 2011 due to "related party transaction issues" [4] - Attempts to list Chery New Energy through a backdoor listing in 2016 failed due to the complexity of the proposal and unclear policies regarding new energy vehicles [4][5] Group 2: Recent Developments - The successful IPO in 2025 was facilitated by Chery's improved financial performance, with revenues exceeding CNY 269.9 billion and net profits reaching CNY 14.3 billion in 2024 [6] - Chery restructured its equity and organizational framework, introducing diverse investors and establishing a domestic business unit to enhance strategic focus and resource integration [6][7] - The company launched the "Yaoguang 2025" strategy to strengthen its position in the new energy sector and partnered with Huawei to enhance its smart vehicle offerings [6][7] Group 3: Market Reception and Future Challenges - The IPO attracted 13 cornerstone investors who collectively subscribed for USD 587 million, indicating strong market confidence in Chery's dual strategy of technology and international expansion [7] - Despite the successful listing, challenges remain, including the fact that new energy revenue accounts for less than 30% of total income and reliance on external partnerships for smart technology [7][8] - The company plans to allocate 35% of the raised funds for developing various passenger vehicles, 25% for next-generation automotive technologies, and 20% for global expansion, aiming to leverage capital for a "smart breakthrough" and "global upgrade" [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - Chery Automobile has officially listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking the largest IPO for an automotive company in Hong Kong this year, but it faces significant structural challenges including low gross margins, slow transition to new energy vehicles, and high reliance on fuel vehicles [1][2]. Financial Performance - Chery's stock opened at HKD 34.2 per share, an increase of 11.22% from the issue price, with a market capitalization exceeding HKD 200 billion on the first day of trading. By the end of the day, the stock closed at HKD 31.92, giving a total market value of HKD 184.1 billion [2]. - From 2022 to 2024, Chery's revenue is projected to grow from CNY 92.618 billion to CNY 269.897 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 70.7%. In Q1 2025, revenue increased by 24.25% year-on-year to CNY 68.223 billion [2]. Profitability and Debt - Chery's gross margins are lower than those of leading competitors, with gross margins of 13.8%, 16%, and 13.5% from 2022 to 2024, and only 12.4% in Q1 2025. In contrast, BYD's gross margin increased from 17% to 20.1% during the same period [3]. - The company's debt levels are concerning, with asset-liability ratios of 93%, 92%, and 89% at the end of 2022, 2023, and Q3 2024, respectively. Although there was slight improvement in Q1 2025, the ratio remained high at 87.7% [3]. Market Position and Strategy - Fuel vehicles remain Chery's primary revenue source, accounting for 75.9%, 87.8%, and 69.6% of total revenue from 2022 to 2024. In Q1 2025, fuel vehicle revenue still represented 69.7% of the passenger vehicle segment, while new energy vehicles accounted for only 30.3% [4]. - Chery has recognized the challenges in its transition to new energy vehicles and launched the "Yaoguang 2025 Strategy" in 2022, focusing on electric and intelligent vehicle technologies [5]. Brand and Market Perception - Chery is attempting to break away from its "cost-performance" label to capture a share of the high-end market, but results have been disappointing. Sales of its high-end brand, Exeed, fell by 32.45% year-on-year in August [6]. - The company's low-price strategy has led to a fixed brand image, hindering its ability to penetrate the high-end market and resulting in low customer loyalty [6][7]. Future Outlook - Experts suggest that Chery should leverage the funds raised from its IPO to enhance research and development in electric and intelligent vehicle sectors, improve its business structure, and gradually build brand premium capabilities [7].

Core Insights - Huawei's smart driving system, QianKun, has surpassed 1 million vehicles equipped with it, covering 22 cooperative models across different price ranges [1] - Multiple mainstream automakers are actively seeking collaboration with Huawei, indicating a trend towards deeper partnerships in the automotive industry [3][5][7] Group 1: Collaborations and Partnerships - Chery Automobile and Huawei have launched the "Intelligent World 2.0" initiative, investing over 10 billion yuan and expanding the R&D team to 5,000 people [3] - FAW Group has partnered with Huawei to launch the Audi A5L and Q6L e-tron family, marking Audi as the first international luxury brand to collaborate deeply with Huawei [3] - Changan Automobile's leadership has engaged with Huawei's founder, suggesting potential future collaborations, although specific projects have not been disclosed [5] Group 2: Market Strategy and Positioning - GAC Group emphasizes the synergy of "GAC Manufacturing + Huawei Intelligence" to penetrate the high-end smart electric vehicle market [7] - Jiangling Motors has positioned its "Zun Jie" brand as a core driver for its strategic transformation towards a technology-oriented enterprise [7] - Great Wall Motors has established a close cooperation network with Huawei, covering marketing, smart cockpit, and vehicle solutions [8] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The automotive industry is experiencing intensified competition, where companies must compete not only on price but also on technology, products, and services [9] - The success of Seres, which saw its market value soar from under 15 billion yuan to approximately 210 billion yuan after partnering with Huawei, exemplifies the potential benefits of such collaborations [9] - Huawei's significant influence in partnerships, such as with Chery's "Intelligent World," indicates a trend where Huawei leads brand strategy and management while partners support operational efforts [11] Group 4: Strategic Integration - The collaboration between automakers and Huawei is characterized by a deep integration of strengths, combining automakers' manufacturing and market experience with Huawei's technological leadership [11] - The establishment of "Yin Wang," a joint venture with Huawei holding 80% and other stakeholders like Avita Technology and Seres, reflects a strategic capital partnership model [11]

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]