Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of supply chain collaboration in the evolution of the smart automotive industry, highlighting that without past cooperation, the current advancements in smart vehicles would not be possible [32]. Group 1: Historical Context and Key Players - The article discusses the pivotal role of Li Auto's early partnership with EasyGo Intelligent, which was the only mass-produced smart driving solution provider in 2019, crucial for the success of the Li One vehicle [4][6]. - EasyGo's founder, Chen Yuhang, demonstrated foresight by choosing to collaborate with Li Auto when the company was still small, which later led to significant growth and valuation increases [6][7]. - The partnership allowed EasyGo to develop critical components for Li One's smart driving features, showcasing a successful collaboration between a car manufacturer and a technology supplier [9][10]. Group 2: Challenges and Shifts in Collaboration - The relationship between Li Auto and EasyGo began to strain due to conflicts arising from the self-research route of car manufacturers versus the strong supplier model represented by Mobileye [14][31]. - Li Auto's desire to upgrade its smart driving system led to complications, as EasyGo was caught between the demands of Li Auto and the restrictions imposed by Mobileye [15][16]. - The article notes that EasyGo's decision to pivot towards a more open platform, like Horizon Robotics, was influenced by the limitations imposed by Mobileye, indicating a strategic shift in response to market dynamics [19][31]. Group 3: Future Directions and Industry Impact - Following the split from Li Auto, EasyGo has successfully engaged with other automotive companies, indicating its resilience and adaptability in the smart driving sector [25][29]. - The article highlights that Li Auto's focus on self-research and development has positioned it among the top players in the smart driving field, showcasing the competitive landscape of the industry [24][31]. - The ongoing collaboration between Li Auto and EasyGo, despite their separation, underscores the enduring significance of supplier relationships in the automotive industry [31].

Core Insights - The core viewpoint of the article emphasizes that the competition in the automotive market is shifting from low-cost vehicles to the mid-to-high-end market, where brand building will be crucial for future growth [2][12]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The main source of market share growth for domestic car manufacturers from 2024 to 2025 will be in the A-class car market priced between 50,000 to 150,000 CNY, where domestic brands currently hold a 70.6% market share as of Q2 2025 [12][16]. - The mid-to-high-end market (150,000 to 250,000 CNY) is expected to see significant competition, with current domestic market share below 50%, indicating substantial room for growth [5][18]. - The luxury market (250,000 CNY and above) is dominated by brands like Li Auto, Xiaomi, and Huawei, which are leveraging electric and intelligent vehicle technologies to establish themselves as leaders in this segment [5][13]. Group 2: Profitability and Brand Loyalty - The profitability in the mid-to-high-end market is strong, with the 150,000 to 250,000 CNY segment projected to generate annual revenues of approximately 1.1 to 1.2 trillion CNY and net profits of around 550 to 600 billion CNY [3][12]. - Brand loyalty is becoming increasingly important in the 150,000 to 250,000 CNY market, where consumers are less price-sensitive and more focused on overall product quality and brand reputation [18][19]. - The luxury market is characterized by high brand barriers, making it difficult for new entrants to compete solely on price, thus emphasizing the need for established brand identities [4][5]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The competitive landscape in the 250,000 CNY and above luxury market is becoming clearer, with domestic brands like Li Auto and Huawei gaining significant market shares, while traditional luxury brands are experiencing a decline [21][22]. - The 150,000 to 250,000 CNY market is fragmented, lacking a clear leader, which presents opportunities for traditional automakers and emerging players to capture market share through innovation and design [5][14]. - The article suggests that traditional automakers and second-tier new forces should focus on the mid-range market (150,000 to 250,000 CNY) as it offers a better opportunity for growth compared to the high-end luxury segment [14][18].