Core Viewpoint - NIO is beginning to generate revenue from its high-cost project by licensing its self-developed advanced intelligent driving chip, "Shenji NX9031," to an automotive chip company [3][4]. Group 1: Chip Development and Commercialization - The Shenji NX9031 chip, developed using 5nm automotive-grade technology, has a computing power approximately four times that of NVIDIA's Orin-X [6]. - The project team for NX9031 consists of over 600 people and has a development cost comparable to building 1,000 battery swap stations, estimated at tens of billions of yuan [7]. - NIO's CEO, Li Bin, has indicated that the chip and operating system will be open to the industry, suggesting that NIO aims to position itself as a leading supplier of high-quality chips [7][8]. Group 2: Strategic Partnerships and Investments - NIO has established a joint venture, Chongqing Chuangyuan Zhihang Technology Co., Ltd., with Aixin Yuanzhi Semiconductor and Haowei Integrated Circuit Group, with a registered capital of 100 million yuan [8]. - Aixin Yuanzhi, a major shareholder in the joint venture, has shifted its focus to automotive chips after acquiring a subsidiary of Dahua Technology [8].

Core Viewpoint - NIO is beginning to generate revenue from its high-cost project by licensing its self-developed advanced intelligent driving chip, "Shenji NX9031," to an automotive chip company [2][4]. Group 1: Chip Development and Commercialization - The Shenji NX9031 chip, developed using 5nm automotive-grade technology, has a computing power approximately four times that of NVIDIA's Orin-X [4]. - The project team for NX9031 exceeds 600 people, indicating a scale comparable to an independent chip company, with R&D investments amounting to tens of billions of yuan [4]. - NIO's CEO, Li Bin, mentioned that the R&D expenditure for NX9031 is equivalent to the cost of building 1,000 battery swap stations, estimated at 1.5 to 3 million yuan each [4]. - The chip has been integrated into models such as ET9 and the 2025 ES6 and EC6, with Li Bin stating it could optimize costs by approximately 10,000 yuan per vehicle [4]. Group 2: Strategic Moves and Partnerships - Under pressure for cash flow and a promise of profitability in Q4, NIO is further reducing expenses and seeking new revenue sources, leading to the commercialization of its chip business [5]. - In March, Li Bin announced that NIO's chips and operating systems would be open to the industry, inviting others to purchase their chips [5]. - NIO established Anhui Shenji Technology Co., Ltd. to manage chip R&D, production, and licensing, maintaining absolute control over the operations [5]. - Recently, NIO's chip subsidiary formed a joint venture with Aixin Yuanzhi Semiconductor and Haowei Integrated Circuit, with a registered capital of 100 million yuan [5][6]. Group 3: Market Position and Competitors - Aixin Yuanzhi, founded in 2019, initially focused on AI visual chips and has since entered the automotive chip market after acquiring a subsidiary of Dahua Technology [6]. - Aixin Yuanzhi completed a C-round financing of over 1 billion yuan in April 2023 and has produced chips for basic assisted driving, with higher-level chips still under development [6].