Core Viewpoint - The company, Haomo Zhixing, has faced significant operational challenges leading to a halt in its operations, primarily due to governance issues and a lack of independent decision-making, which hindered its ability to adapt to market changes [1][9]. Group 1: Company Background and Initial Success - Haomo Zhixing was once a leader in the autonomous driving sector, achieving significant milestones in its early years, including multiple product iterations and early entry into the unmanned logistics vehicle market [2]. - The company proposed innovative technical approaches, such as high-precision map elimination for urban autonomous driving, ahead of competitors like Xiaopeng Motors and Huawei [2]. Group 2: Decline in Performance - Despite initial successes, Haomo Zhixing's delivery progress has been slow, with its urban NOH coverage only reaching 8 cities by September 2024, falling short of its ambitious targets [3]. - The company has lost trust from its core customer, Great Wall Motors, as it failed to keep pace with the rapid advancements and demands of the autonomous driving industry [3][4]. Group 3: Dependency on Great Wall Motors - Haomo Zhixing's strong ties to Great Wall Motors, initially seen as an advantage, have become a liability, as the latter holds significant influence over the company's operational decisions [5][6]. - The governance structure has been criticized for lacking independence, leading to poor decision-making and ultimately contributing to the company's operational difficulties [7][9]. Group 4: Market Dynamics and Future Outlook - The autonomous driving industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, with a focus on cost reduction and accelerated production, which has intensified competition and reduced the survival space for less independent players like Haomo Zhixing [9]. - The company's attempts to diversify its customer base have not yielded significant results, as it has not successfully integrated its solutions into vehicles from manufacturers outside the Great Wall ecosystem [8][9].

Core Viewpoint - The sudden suspension of operations at Haomo Zhixing has left its employees in uncertainty, with the company failing to pay salaries and provide a clear plan for resuming work, raising concerns about its financial stability and future prospects [3][4][6]. Company Overview - Haomo Zhixing, founded in November 2019, is a smart driving startup backed by prominent investors including Great Wall Motors and Hillhouse Capital, having raised over 1.6 billion RMB across seven funding rounds [4][6]. - At its peak, the company was valued at 7.8 billion RMB and was listed as a unicorn in the 2024 Hurun Global Unicorn List [4]. Operational Challenges - The company announced a complete work stoppage starting November 24, with no prior warning to employees, leading to confusion about the status of the company [3][4]. - Employees have not received their October salaries, and there is no severance plan in place, contributing to a sense of anxiety among the workforce [3][4]. Financial Situation - Haomo Zhixing has been facing financial difficulties, with reports indicating it has been in a cash-strapped situation for some time [6]. - The company has incurred significant investment losses, with a reported 396 million RMB in cumulative investment losses as of June 2025 [6]. - It has also delayed payments to suppliers, including a 113,500 RMB debt to Great Wall Motors [6]. Employee Dynamics - The workforce has shrunk from over 1,000 employees at its peak to only 243 currently enrolled in social insurance [6]. - The company has shown little recruitment activity in 2025, with only five job postings since June [5][6]. Strategic Shifts - Haomo Zhixing's primary focus has been on urban navigation assistance driving products, which are technically challenging and face stiff competition in the smart driving sector [9][11]. - The company has lost significant business from its main partner, Great Wall Motors, which has shifted to other suppliers for smart driving solutions [12][14]. Market Position - Despite early efforts in the unmanned logistics vehicle sector, Haomo Zhixing has struggled to establish a strong market presence and has not capitalized on opportunities in the rapidly growing sector [23][26]. - The company has not effectively differentiated itself in the competitive landscape of smart driving technology, leading to concerns about its long-term viability [23][26].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent hiring of Cai Na, a key employee from Haomo Zhixing, by Momenta, highlighting the strategic importance of her experience in passenger vehicles and autonomous logistics vehicles for Momenta's growth and development [1][2][6]. Group 1: Company Developments - Cai Na's addition to Momenta is seen as a significant recruitment move, given her background in product development at Haomo Zhixing, which is closely associated with Great Wall Motors [1][3]. - Since 2025, several executives from Haomo Zhixing have faced rumors of departure, indicating potential instability within the company [3]. - Haomo Zhixing was established in November 2019 and has been a key player in Great Wall Motors' intelligent driving initiatives, with significant early funding of nearly 1 billion yuan in A-round financing by the end of 2021 [4]. Group 2: Challenges Faced - Haomo Zhixing has encountered delays in mass production projects, such as the Weipai Mocha, which has cast doubt on its urban NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) progress [4]. - The company has struggled with strict decision-making processes within Great Wall Motors, leading to missed opportunities in the market [4][5]. - In 2024, Great Wall Motors made a substantial investment in Yuanrong Qihang, further complicating Haomo Zhixing's position as it competes for resources and attention [5]. Group 3: Momenta's Growth Prospects - Momenta has secured partnerships with major automotive brands, including BMW, to develop intelligent driving solutions tailored for the Chinese market, enhancing its market position [6]. - The company aims to achieve profitability by 2026 and is actively working on various projects, including investments in electric heavy trucks and autonomous driving technology [7]. - With a strong pipeline of mass production projects and delivery capabilities, Momenta is expected to generate significant revenue in 2024 [6][7].

Core Insights - The frequent personnel changes at Haomo Zhixing, including the resignation of Chairman Zhang Kai and other executives, indicate potential issues within the company, particularly related to its business performance not meeting expectations [1][3][9] - The company's core business segments, including passenger vehicle assisted driving and low-speed unmanned delivery vehicles, are progressing slowly and failing to meet market expectations [4][8] Business Performance - Haomo Zhixing's assisted driving technology has seen limited adoption, with only two models from Hyundai utilizing its products, and the development of features is reportedly behind schedule [4] - The company had ambitious plans to implement urban NOH in 100 cities by 2024 and achieve a million units installed by the end of 2025, but these targets remain unfulfilled [4] - The low-speed unmanned vehicle segment is struggling, with a sales target of only about 50 units for the year, and the company is not planning to develop new models or expand sales [8] Market Position and Competition - Haomo Zhixing faces significant competition in the low-speed unmanned vehicle market, which is characterized by small scale, low profitability, and intense competition, leading to a drastic reduction in vehicle prices [8] - The company is perceived to have difficulty securing orders from other automakers due to data security concerns associated with its autonomous driving technology [8] Organizational Changes - The company has undergone significant layoffs, reportedly cutting about 30% to nearly half of its workforce in functional departments, which has been framed as a normal organizational adjustment [11] - The IPO progress for Haomo Zhixing has been slow, with plans for a Hong Kong listing reportedly halted internally by the major shareholder, Great Wall Motors, although the chairman has denied this and stated intentions to pursue an IPO in 2025 [11]