Core Insights - The electric vehicle (EV) wave is rapidly transforming the global automotive industry, with Chinese automakers accelerating their overseas expansion, particularly in Malaysia, which is becoming a key market for them [2][3] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Stellantis and Leap Motor are launching a local assembly project in Malaysia with an initial investment of €5 million, aiming to produce the Leap C10 model by the end of 2025 [3] - Malaysia's new car sales reached a record high of 816,700 units in 2024, surpassing both 2022 and 2023 figures, while Thailand's sales dropped by 26% to approximately 570,000 units [3] - The Malaysian automotive market is characterized by strong local brands, Proton and Perodua, which hold about 60% market share, while Japanese brands account for around 30% [4] Group 2: Chinese Automakers' Strategies - Chinese automakers like Geely and BYD have made significant inroads into the Malaysian market, with Geely acquiring a 49.9% stake in Proton in 2017 and expanding its presence through technology sharing [4][7] - BYD's Atto 3 has quickly become a best-seller since its launch in late 2022, indicating strong demand for Chinese EVs in Malaysia [8][9] - Chery has also re-entered the Malaysian market, launching multiple models and establishing a new factory in Shah Alam, which is expected to enhance its local production capabilities [8] Group 3: Government Initiatives and Market Potential - Malaysia aims to increase the share of electric vehicles to 15% by 2030 and 38% by 2040, supported by tax incentives for EV manufacturers [6] - The country has introduced various tax exemptions for electric vehicles, including a 70%-100% income tax reduction and exemptions from import duties and sales taxes for locally assembled EVs [6] - The presence of Chinese automakers is driving significant growth in Malaysia's EV sales, which doubled to 21,789 units in 2024 compared to 10,159 units in 2023 [9] Group 4: Supply Chain and Local Production - Chinese automakers are establishing a comprehensive supply chain in Malaysia, with local production facilities for battery manufacturers and parts suppliers [11] - Companies like EVE Energy have begun operations in Malaysia, supporting local production with battery supply [11] - The local assembly of vehicles, such as the Leap C10, will leverage Stellantis's existing facilities, enhancing cost efficiency and market reach [10]

Core Viewpoint - Chery is preparing for its IPO, marking a significant step for Chinese domestic car brands to enter the capital market, especially as it is the only major domestic automaker yet to be listed [3][11]. Financial Performance - In the first nine months of 2024, Chery reported revenues of 182.1 billion yuan and a net profit of 11.3 billion yuan, with a net profit margin slightly above 6% [5][16]. - The average revenue per vehicle sold is 107,000 yuan, with a gross profit of 16,000 yuan and a net profit of approximately 7,000 yuan [6][18]. - Chery's revenue surged from 92.6 billion yuan in 2022 to 163.2 billion yuan in 2023, nearly doubling [15]. Brand Structure - Chery operates five brands: Chery, Jetour, Exeed, iCAR, and Zhijie, with Chery being the main brand contributing 60% of sales [8]. - Fuel vehicles are the primary revenue source, accounting for 75% of total income, while electric vehicles contribute only 25% [9]. Market Position - Chery's overseas market contributes approximately 44% of its sales and revenue, with prices in some regions exceeding domestic prices by over 50% [10][20]. - In 2024, Chery sold 2.604 million vehicles, ranking fifth in total sales among Chinese automakers [14]. Export Strategy - Chery's export strategy has been highly successful, with overseas sales increasing significantly, contributing to 795 billion yuan in revenue in 2023, a 140% year-on-year increase [22]. - The company has established a strong presence in markets like Russia and Brazil, where it has adapted its vehicles to local preferences [27]. New Energy Transition - Chery's new energy vehicle (NEV) sales have been lagging, with only 22% of total sales in 2024 coming from NEVs, despite a significant increase in overall sales [32][33]. - The company is focusing on hybrid vehicles as a key part of its transition strategy, while pure electric models are still in the early stages [35]. R&D Investment - Chery has invested nearly 17 billion yuan in R&D over the past three years, but its R&D expenditure as a percentage of revenue remains lower than competitors like BYD and Geely [37][38]. IPO Motivation - The upcoming IPO is seen as a crucial move for Chery to alleviate its financial pressures and support its expansion in international markets and new energy vehicle development [40][41].