Core Insights - The automotive industry is experiencing a shift from traditional E/E architecture to a centralized architecture, enabling companies to take control of software development and redefine vehicle core functionalities [1] - The trend towards self-developed chips is driven by the desire to capture profits from the high-margin ends of the "smile curve" (chips and algorithms) [1] - The "smart driving equality" movement initiated by BYD presents both opportunities for automakers and a historic chance for smart driving suppliers [2] Industry Dynamics - In the context of intensified competition and the saturation of smart driving solutions, automakers prioritize getting their products to market rather than focusing solely on self-development [2][3] - The window for automakers to capitalize on this trend is limited to approximately two years [3] Competitive Landscape - NVIDIA currently dominates the smart driving market with a 45.4% share, primarily due to its Orin-X chip, which is highly regarded for its AI acceleration capabilities [4] - New entrants in the market, such as Horizon and Black Sesame, have made significant advancements in chip capabilities, allowing them to compete with NVIDIA's offerings [5][8] - The validation timeline for domestic chips is only 2-3 years behind NVIDIA, indicating a narrowing gap in competition [6][8] Chip Development and Cost Analysis - The development of chips is a long-term endeavor, with significant time required for accumulation and iteration [10] - Companies need to achieve a minimum production scale and possess strong iteration capabilities to make self-developed chips economically viable [11] - Cost analysis shows that the manufacturing costs of chips vary significantly based on technology nodes, with the total cost for advanced chips reaching up to 3915 yuan [12] Data and Talent Acquisition - Automakers have a substantial advantage in data acquisition for training smart driving systems, with companies like Tesla and Huawei leading in vehicle deployment [15] - The scale of talent and internal collaboration is crucial for the development of advanced smart driving technologies, with major players employing large teams dedicated to this field [16] Conclusion - BYD, while relying on external suppliers for chips and algorithms, is actively working on self-developed smart driving solutions, indicating a trend among leading automakers to balance self-development with external sourcing [17]