Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating for Chery Automobile (09973.HK) for the first time [2]. Core Insights - Chery has demonstrated significant growth in both domestic and export markets, with a focus on electric and intelligent vehicle integration. The company has successfully transitioned from a low-cost strategy to enhancing product quality and brand value, leading to a substantial increase in market share [5][21]. - The financial forecasts indicate a strong revenue growth trajectory, with projected revenues of CNY 269.9 billion in 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 65.4%, and a net profit of CNY 14.1 billion, up 18.3% year-on-year [5][32]. Summary by Sections Company Overview - Chery's total share capital is approximately 5.81 billion shares, with a market capitalization of around HKD 175.77 billion as of November 25, 2025 [2]. Financial Performance - Revenue projections for Chery are as follows: - 2023: CNY 163.2 billion - 2024: CNY 269.9 billion (up 65%) - 2025: CNY 289.7 billion (up 7%) - 2026: CNY 325.1 billion (up 12%) - 2027: CNY 359.1 billion (up 10%) [2][78]. - Net profit forecasts are: - 2023: CNY 11.95 billion - 2024: CNY 14.1 billion (up 18%) - 2025: CNY 17.3 billion (up 23%) - 2026: CNY 21.9 billion (up 26%) - 2027: CNY 24.3 billion (up 11%) [2][78]. Market Position and Strategy - Chery has established itself as a leader in exports, with a focus on enhancing its product lineup and expanding into new markets, particularly in Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The company has also made significant advancements in engine technology, with the new Kunpeng engine achieving a thermal efficiency of 48%, the highest globally [5][44][68]. - The company is integrating its various brands, including the high-end brand Starway and the electric brand Windcloud, to streamline operations and enhance market competitiveness [5][50]. Future Outlook - The report anticipates continued growth in Chery's market share, particularly in the fuel vehicle segment, with a projected increase in sales driven by the successful launch of new models and ongoing improvements in engine technology [5][62]. - The company is expected to maintain a strong focus on electric vehicle development, with the Windcloud brand positioned to capture market share in the competitive landscape [5][52]. Valuation and Investment Recommendation - The projected price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios for Chery from 2025 to 2027 are 9.2X, 7.3X, and 6.6X, respectively, which are below the industry average, reinforcing the "Buy" rating [2][82].

Core Viewpoint - Chery Automobile has launched the high-performance fuel sedan, Arrizo 8 PRO 2.0T, priced between 137,900 and 149,900 yuan, marking a strategic shift towards performance vehicles amidst the growing dominance of electric vehicles in the market [2][4]. Group 1: Product Launch and Features - The Arrizo 8 PRO 2.0T showcases high performance with a maximum power of 187 kW and peak torque of 390 N·m, achieving a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6 seconds and a fuel consumption of 6.8 L/100 km [3]. - The vehicle features advanced technology including a 15.6-inch 2.5K display, electric tailgate, 50W wireless charging, L2+ level driver assistance, and a 540° panoramic camera [3]. Group 2: Market Context and Strategy - The performance car segment is shrinking as many brands shift focus to electric vehicles, leaving a market gap that Chery aims to fill with the Arrizo 8 PRO [4]. - Chery has maintained a competitive edge in the engine, transmission, and chassis sectors, allowing it to capitalize on the reduced competition in the fuel performance car market [4]. - The Arrizo 8 series has seen significant sales success, with over 400,000 units sold in 33 months and consistently breaking the 10,000 monthly sales mark [4]. Group 3: Future Plans and Market Positioning - Chery plans to introduce a high-performance version of the Arrizo 8 PRO with a 400T powertrain and will promote a modification culture while participating in various racing events [5]. - Despite the challenges posed by the increasing penetration of electric vehicles, Chery believes there is still potential for growth in the fuel performance car segment, targeting young consumers with the slogan "the first performance family car for young people" [5].

Core Viewpoint - BYD has initiated a significant price reduction across 22 models, marking the largest discount yet, which signals the beginning of a new price war in the automotive industry [2][4] Group 1: Price Reductions and Market Impact - BYD's price cuts range from 12,000 to 53,000 yuan, and the promotion will last until the end of June [2] - This is the third price reduction since March, indicating a trend of aggressive pricing strategies in the industry [2] - Other manufacturers like Geely and Chery have also followed suit with substantial price cuts, with Chery's reductions nearing 50% for some models [2] - The automotive industry is facing a historical low profit margin of 4.3% in 2024, with cumulative retail losses approaching 200 billion yuan due to the price war [4] Group 2: BYD's Sales Performance - In 2024, BYD sold 4.2722 million vehicles, generating revenue of 617.38 billion yuan, with an average revenue contribution of 144,500 yuan per vehicle [4] - Despite a leading gross margin of 22.31%, the net profit per vehicle is less than 10,000 yuan, indicating lower profitability in the automotive sector [4] - BYD's sales target for 2025 is set at 5.5 million vehicles, with a domestic market goal of 4.7 million [6] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - BYD faces increasing competition in both the low-end and high-end markets, with competitors like Geely gaining market share [8][10] - The sales of BYD's A0-class models have declined, with competitors like Geely's Xingyuan surpassing them in sales [10] - The Han series has seen a significant drop in sales, reflecting challenges in the 200,000 yuan market segment [10][11] Group 4: Financial and Operational Challenges - BYD's asset-liability ratio stands at 74.64%, which is relatively lower compared to other domestic manufacturers [16] - The company has significantly increased its R&D investment, reaching 54.2 billion yuan in 2024, but faces high operational debts [18][19] - Maintaining high sales growth is crucial for BYD to manage its debt levels and support ongoing R&D investments [20] Group 5: Future Outlook - BYD is focusing on low-end models to stabilize its market position while aiming for overseas expansion, targeting over 800,000 units in international sales [22] - The company has sold approximately 290,000 vehicles overseas in the first four months of the year, indicating potential for exceeding its sales target [22]