Core Viewpoint - Chery's Chairman Yin Tongyue announced a "Global Innovation Declaration" at the 2025 Chery Global Innovation Conference, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive transformation into a "global high-tech ecological group" through three innovation systems: technology, culture, and management [1]. Group 1: Globalization Challenges - Yin highlighted common challenges faced by Chinese automotive brands overseas, including issues of "technical adaptability" (37% of complaints), "emergency support deficiencies" (29%), and "localization inadequacies," which are damaging brand reputation [4]. - Chery aims to upgrade from "product export" to "technology export," ensuring that its technology standards and quality can withstand scrutiny in over 120 global markets [4]. Group 2: Market Position and Sales - Chery has established a market presence across major regions, including Asia (excluding China), Europe, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, achieving competitive advantages [4]. - In 2024, Chery ranked first among Chinese independent passenger car brands in sales in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and North Africa, with models like the Tiggo 5x and Tiggo 7 becoming market benchmarks [4]. - Chery's overseas revenue now accounts for nearly 50% of its total revenue [4]. Group 3: Technological Innovation - Chery's innovation system includes over 300 internal "Yaoguang laboratories" tackling more than 500 short-term projects and external "Kaiyang laboratories" collaborating with 100 top global universities on 1779 technology projects [7]. - The company has developed several groundbreaking technologies, including a new AI smart vehicle architecture, Rhino battery, axial flux vector dual motors, and L4-level autonomous driving, among others [7]. - Chery has established a global database of 12,000 real accidents and created over 100 corporate standards that exceed national standards, achieving 54 models with global five-star safety ratings [10]. Group 4: Cultural and Management Innovations - To address innovation risks, Chery has implemented a "shared results, I bear the risks" cultural mechanism, incentivizing project success with equity rewards while absorbing losses from failures [12]. - Chery emphasizes that "quality is more important than sales, and innovation is more important than profit," aligning its governance with the standards of Fortune 500 companies to enhance global operational capabilities [12]. - The company aims for its overseas workforce and revenue share to significantly exceed domestic levels, striving to become a globally trusted high-tech ecological group [12].

Core Insights - The article discusses the challenges faced by Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers in international markets, particularly issues related to technology adaptation, emergency support, and localization, which are affecting brand reputation [2][10] - Chery aims to transition from "product export" to "technology export" by establishing a robust innovation system to meet global standards across over 120 markets [2][7] - Chery's overseas revenue is approaching 50%, with significant market presence in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and North Africa, where it leads among Chinese brands in passenger vehicle sales [2][10] Innovation Systems - Chery has developed a comprehensive innovation framework consisting of three main systems: technology, culture, and management, to support its transformation into a global high-tech ecological group [7][12] - The company operates over 300 internal "Yaoguang laboratories" and collaborates with 100 top global universities through the "Kaiyang laboratory" network, focusing on 1779 technical projects [5][6] - Chery has established a global database of 12,000 real accident cases and has created over 100 enterprise standards that exceed national benchmarks, ensuring safety as a foundational aspect of its technology [10] Market Strategy - Chery's strategy emphasizes quality over quantity, with a commitment to achieving world-class standards in product safety and innovation, aiming for a significant increase in overseas workforce and revenue [12][13] - The company has introduced a risk-sharing culture to encourage innovation, where successful projects can lead to equity rewards, while losses are absorbed by Chery [12] - Chery's vehicles have received global five-star safety ratings, with 54 models achieving this status, reinforcing its commitment to safety and quality [10]

Core Viewpoint - Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. officially listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on September 25, 2023, raising approximately HKD 91.45 billion, marking the largest IPO of a car company in the Hong Kong market this year [2] Company Overview - Chery Automobile, established in 1997 and located in Wuhu, China, focuses on innovation and international market expansion, offering a diverse range of passenger vehicles, including both fuel and new energy vehicles [5] - According to Frost & Sullivan, Chery is the second largest domestic passenger car brand in China and the eleventh largest globally based on projected sales in 2024 [5] Sales Performance - In 2024, Chery's passenger vehicle sales are expected to grow by 49.4% compared to 2023, leading the growth among the top twenty global passenger car companies [5] - The company is the only one among the top twenty global passenger car companies to achieve over 25% growth in sales for both new energy and fuel vehicles, as well as in domestic and overseas markets [5] Domestic Market Insights - Chery's passenger vehicle sales in China are projected to increase by 56.0% in 2024, with new energy vehicle sales expected to rise by 277.3% compared to 2023 [6] - The company ranks first in sales growth for both fuel and new energy vehicles among the top ten passenger car companies in China [6] International Market Presence - Since exporting its first vehicle in 2001, Chery has sold over 13 million vehicles across more than 100 countries and regions [7] - Chery has maintained the highest export volume among Chinese independent passenger car brands for 22 consecutive years since 2003 [7] - In 2024, Chery ranks first among Chinese independent brands in Europe, South America, and the Middle East and North Africa, and second in North America and Asia (excluding China) [7] Brand Portfolio - Chery operates five major brands: Chery, Jetour, Exeed, iCAR, and Zhijie, each catering to different customer needs and market segments [7] - The revenue contribution from these five brands has been consistent, accounting for 89.1% in 2022, 92.7% in 2023, and projected at 90.3% for the first quarter of 2025 [7] Chery Brand Highlights - The Chery brand, targeting the mass market and family users, has sold over 10 million vehicles, making it the first independent passenger car brand in China to surpass this milestone [8] - Key models such as the Tiggo 8, Tiggo 7, and others have shown strong sales performance, with the Tiggo 8 ranking first in the Chinese fuel vehicle market among independent brands in 2024 [8]

Core Viewpoint - Chery Automobile is set to go public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking its seventh attempt at an IPO after a long and challenging journey in the capital market. The focus will be on its performance in the transition to new energy vehicles and improving profitability [2][5][24]. Group 1: IPO Details - Chery plans to issue 297 million H-shares, with 10% allocated for Hong Kong and 90% for international sales, along with a 15% over-allotment option. The price range is set between HKD 27.75 and HKD 30.75 per share, with expected fundraising between HKD 8.241 billion and HKD 9.132 billion [5][18]. - The market capitalization post-IPO is projected to be between HKD 160 billion and HKD 177.3 billion (approximately RMB 146 billion), ranking Chery as the seventh largest among Chinese automakers [5][18]. - Thirteen cornerstone investors have committed approximately USD 587 million, including notable firms like Hillhouse Capital and Ginkgo Asset Management [5][18]. Group 2: Historical Context and Leadership - Chery's chairman, Yin Tongyue, has expressed a long-standing commitment to the IPO, having previously stated that the company would prioritize its listing as a key task [10][11]. - Over the years, Yin has shifted from skepticism about the benefits of an IPO to actively pursuing it, indicating a strategic evolution in Chery's approach to capital markets [7][9][10]. Group 3: Performance and Market Position - Chery has seen significant growth in retail sales, with a projected 2024 global sales volume of 2.6039 million vehicles, a 38.4% increase year-on-year, making it the second largest domestic independent brand [14][18]. - The company has maintained its position as the top exporter of Chinese independent brand passenger vehicles for 22 consecutive years, with overseas sales accounting for 44% of total sales in 2024 [14][20]. - Chery's diverse brand portfolio includes five major brands, catering to various market segments from budget to luxury [14]. Group 4: Challenges and Future Outlook - Despite its achievements, Chery faces challenges such as a high debt ratio of 89% as of Q3 2024, necessitating funds from the IPO to optimize its financial structure and support its transition to new energy vehicles [16][19]. - The company has a relatively low gross margin of 13.5% in 2024, with its new energy vehicle gross margin at only 5.7%, indicating a need for improvement in profitability [17][22]. - Chery's future success will depend on its ability to effectively utilize the raised funds for R&D, particularly in smart driving and high-end new energy vehicles, while enhancing its cost structure [19][23].