Summary of Hesai Group Conference Call Company Overview - **Company Name**: Hesai Technology - **Ticker**: HSAI.O / 2525.HK - **Industry**: LiDAR solutions for automotive and robotics applications - **Established**: 2014 - **Market Cap**: Approximately HK$ 31.88 billion (US$ 3.52 billion) as of January 7, 2026 [5][5] Key Points Industry Dynamics - The robotics industry is rapidly growing, driven by advancements in AI, necessitating stable and accurate environmental perception, which LiDAR provides as the "AI eye" of the physical world [2][2]. - Hesai's LiDAR technology is positioned to empower the next wave of physical AI applications [2][2]. Production Capacity and Innovations - Hesai announced a significant capacity expansion plan at CES 2026, doubling its annual production capacity from 2 million units in 2025 to 4 million units in 2026 [2][2]. - The company showcased several upgraded core products at CES, including: 1. Updated ATX LiDAR with Fermi C500 chip and photonic isolation technology 2. A full range of solutions for next-generation L3 automotive-grade applications, including long-range LiDAR ETX and short-range blind-spot LiDAR FTX 3. Miniature, high-performance 3D LiDAR JT series designed for robotics [1][1][1]. Market Demand and Orders - The updated ATX LiDAR is highly anticipated, with orders exceeding 4 million units from leading global OEMs, with mass production and delivery set to begin in April 2026 [1][1]. - The JT robotics LiDAR has achieved over 200,000 units delivered within one year of its launch [1][1]. Financial Outlook - Analysts maintain a "Buy" rating for Hesai, forecasting sales of 3.68 million units in 2026, with potential for the share price to double by FY26 due to five identified catalysts [3][3]. - The target price for Hesai's HK-listed shares is set at HK$ 296.90, implying a P/E ratio of 43x for 2026E and 30x for 2027E [12][12]. Risks - Potential risks that could hinder achieving the target price include: 1. Rising competition in the LiDAR market 2. Product defects affecting market adoption 3. Increases in raw material costs 4. Lower-than-expected penetration of LiDAR/ADAS technologies 5. Price wars impacting average selling prices (ASP) 6. Technology and intellectual property risks 7. Regulatory risks [13][19]. Investment Strategy - Hesai is positioned to benefit from the growth momentum in the LiDAR sector, supported by its technological advantages and stronger financial status compared to peers [11][17]. Conclusion Hesai Technology is strategically expanding its production capacity and innovating its product offerings to meet the growing demand in the robotics and automotive sectors. The company is well-positioned for future growth, although it faces several risks that could impact its market performance.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, the company achieved a net revenue of RMB 795 million (approximately $112 million), representing a 47% year-over-year increase [15] - The total shipments reached 441,398 units, up 229% year-over-year [15] - The company reported a record quarterly GAAP net income of RMB 256 million (approximately $36 million), bringing the nine-month total to RMB 283 million (approximately $40 million) [17] - The gross margin remained healthy at 42%, driven by economies of scale and manufacturing productivity [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The ADAS market saw significant progress, with LiDAR becoming a standard feature in vehicles, achieving 100% adoption from top ADAS customers for their 2026 models [6] - The robotics business is also growing, with shipments of robotics LiDAR increasing 14-fold year-over-year [15] - The company expects to ship approximately 600,000 units in Q4 2025, with the ATX LiDAR accounting for roughly 80% of total deliveries [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company captured a 46% market share in the long-range automotive LiDAR market as of August 2025, significantly outpacing competitors [4] - Regulatory developments in China, such as the introduction of conditional approval for L3 vehicle production, are expected to drive demand for higher-level autonomous driving systems [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to evolve into a full-spectrum technology infrastructure builder, focusing on redefining how vehicles and robots perceive and interact with the world [12] - The strategy includes leveraging AI across operations to enhance efficiency and reduce costs, with a target of RMB 100 million in operating expense savings by 2025 [17] - The company is exploring new growth engines beyond LiDAR, including advanced sensing technologies and AI capabilities [72] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the continued growth of the LiDAR market, anticipating strong demand for ADAS LiDAR in passenger vehicles, with shipments expected to reach 2-3 million units in 2026 [24] - The company raised its full-year GAAP net income guidance for 2025 to a range of RMB 350 million to RMB 450 million [17] - Management highlighted the importance of safety redundancy in higher-level autonomous driving systems, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of LiDAR technology [41] Other Important Information - The company successfully completed its dual primary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising $614 million, marking a significant milestone in its growth trajectory [12][14] - The company has signed new supply agreements with leading global autonomous driving companies, indicating strong international expansion [11][66] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pricing strategy and volume expectations for next year - Management indicated that Q4 revenues are expected to reach RMB 1.0-1.2 billion, driven by the rapid adoption of LiDAR in passenger vehicles [22] - The ATX LiDAR is expected to account for a significant portion of Q4 deliveries, with a market price around $200 [23] Question: Competition and technology advancements - Management acknowledged strong competition but emphasized the company's structured timeline for product releases and the superior performance of its products [31][32] - The company is exploring SPAD technology for LiDAR, focusing on addressing challenges related to noise and false triggering [35][36] Question: Level 3 legislation and product improvements - Management expressed optimism about the regulatory environment in China and Europe, noting strong customer demand for L3 applications [41][43] - The number of LiDAR units per vehicle is expected to increase significantly as L3 adoption accelerates [42] Question: Robotics business growth and shipment expectations - The robotics segment is expected to see significant growth, with shipments anticipated to double in 2026 compared to 2025 [58] - The company holds a dominant market share in the robotaxi segment, supplying major players in the industry [55] Question: Key customers and demand scale for ADAS products - Management identified key OEMs such as BYD, Li Auto, and Xiaomi as major customers for ADAS products, with strong momentum in LiDAR adoption [62]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, the company reported a net revenue increase of nearly 50% year-over-year, reaching RMB 795 million (approximately $112 million) [4][15] - The company achieved a record quarterly GAAP net income of RMB 256 million (approximately $36 million), bringing the nine-month total to RMB 283 million (approximately $40 million) [5][17] - Total shipments reached 441,398 units, up 229% year-over-year, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of robust year-over-year growth [15] - The gross margin remained healthy at 42%, driven by economies of scale and manufacturing productivity [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The ADAS market is seeing rapid adoption of LiDAR as a standard feature, with 100% LiDAR adoption from top two ADAS customers for their 2026 models [6] - The robotics business is becoming a significant growth driver, with a 14-fold year-over-year rise in robotics LiDAR shipments [15] - The company expects to ship approximately 600,000 units in Q4 2025, with the ATX LiDAR accounting for roughly 80% of total deliveries [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company captured a 46% share of the long-range automotive LiDAR market in August 2025, leading the market for seven consecutive months [4] - Regulatory developments in China, such as the introduction of conditional approval for L3 vehicle production, are paving the way for higher-level autonomous driving [6][7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to evolve into a full-spectrum technology infrastructure builder, redefining how cars and robots perceive and interact with the world [11] - The successful dual primary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange strengthens the company's financial foundation, enabling further investment in innovation and market opportunities [13][11] - The company is exploring new growth engines beyond LiDAR, including advanced sensing technologies and AI capabilities [70][74] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong demand for ADAS LiDAR in passenger vehicles, anticipating shipments to reach at least 2-3 million units in 2026 [24] - The company raised its full-year GAAP net income guidance for 2025 to a range of RMB 350 million to RMB 450 million [17][24] - Management highlighted the importance of safety redundancy in higher-level autonomous driving systems, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of LiDAR technology [40] Other Important Information - The company successfully completed its dual primary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising $614 million, marking the largest IPO in the global LiDAR sector [11][13] - The company is witnessing a significant shift in the automotive industry towards multi-LiDAR setups, with expectations of three to six LiDARs per L3 vehicle [8][41] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pricing strategy and volume expectations for next year - Management indicated that Q4 revenues are expected to reach RMB 1.0-1.2 billion, driven by rapid adoption of LiDAR in passenger vehicles [22] - The ATX LiDAR is expected to account for a significant portion of deliveries, with a market price around $200 [23] Question: Competition and technology updates - Management acknowledged strong competition but emphasized the company's structured timeline for product releases and the superior performance of its products [30][32] - The company is exploring SPAD technology for LiDAR, addressing challenges related to noise and false triggering [34][36] Question: L3 legislation and product improvements - Management noted that regulatory developments in China are accelerating the adoption of L3 vehicles, with significant demand for additional LiDAR units per vehicle [40][41] Question: Major customers and demand scale - Key OEMs expected to be top ADAS customers include Li Auto, Xiaomi, BYD, and others, with strong momentum in intelligent driving [61][62] Question: Overseas expansion and potential customers - The company is strengthening its international presence, securing deals with leading global autonomous driving companies and major JVs [64][66]