2026-01-07 03:05Summary of Conference Call on NVIDIA and the Smart Automotive Sector Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the smart automotive sector, particularly the advancements in autonomous driving technology led by NVIDIA in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz [1][2]. Key Points and Arguments - NVIDIA and Mercedes-Benz Collaboration: This partnership signifies a major advancement in the autonomous driving field, with a clear production timeline set for 2026. Testing will begin in the U.S. in Q1 2026, followed by deployment in Europe in Q2, and expansion into Asia later in the year. By the end of 2026, the vehicles are expected to have urban operational vehicle (OV) capabilities, positioning NVIDIA as a potential third-party leader in the global autonomous driving market [1][2]. - Impact on Competition: The collaboration is expected to have a significant demonstration effect in overseas markets, potentially attracting more automotive companies to accelerate their efforts to catch up with Tesla. This will intensify competition in the Chinese market and promote the development of Robotaxi services, which is particularly crucial for non-Chinese markets where competition is currently limited [1][3]. - Investment Recommendations: - For H-shares, the focus should be on XPeng (closest to Tesla's model) and Horizon Robotics (best mapping). Additionally, companies like Pony.ai and WeRide, which are purely focused on L4 Robotaxi, are highlighted for their potential. - For A-shares, Desay SV Automotive is noted as the best mapping object, while Qianli Technology is recognized as the only company actively engaged in Robotaxi-related business. Other small to mid-cap stocks like Beijing Junzheng and Dazhongnan are also recommended for investment [1][4]. Future Catalysts - Key future catalysts that may influence the smart automotive sector include: - The introduction of L3/L4 national standards - Full domestic rollout of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology - Launch of new models by XPeng and iterations of the second-generation Vehicle Operating Architecture (VOA) - Doubling of sales targets by companies like Pony.ai, LoBot, and WeRide - Continued progress by third-party players like Horizon Robotics and Momenta in L4 development - The implementation of electrification policies, which will alleviate overall concerns and shift the focus of autonomous driving to B-end applications [1][5]. Market Outlook for 2026 - The outlook for the smart automotive sector in 2026 is increasingly centered on L4 autonomous vehicle scenarios, particularly the Robotaxi market, which is expected to be the largest and most accommodating for various players. Since September, numerous catalysts, including Tesla's record highs and new model launches from XPeng, indicate that the industry is in a phase of positive development. Investors are advised to closely monitor NVIDIA, Tesla, and related mapping stocks like XPeng, Horizon Robotics, Pony.ai, and WeRide, while keeping an eye on upcoming policies and technological advancements to seize investment opportunities [1][6][7].