Zhongxin Finance, June 23 (Ge Cheng) In 2022, the new energy vehicle market will usher in a round of explosive growth.

According to data from the China Automobile Association, in the first quarter of 2022, the production and sales of new energy vehicles will be 1.293 million and 1.257 million respectively, a year-on-year increase of 1.4 times.

　　As the three new car companies that started with new energy vehicle manufacturing, Weilai, Xiaopeng and Ideal have been regarded as representatives of "new car-making forces" since their birth.

Their performance can be called a "barometer" for the development of China's new energy vehicles.

Data map: Automobile production and transportation.

Photo by Yang Dong

"It's strange that Xiaopeng and Ideal can't sell Weilai"

　　The first quarter financial report shows that in terms of delivery volume, Xiaopeng Motors performed the best, reaching 34,561 units, a year-on-year increase of 159%; Weilai performed the worst, with 25,768 units, a year-on-year increase of 37.6%; Ideal car was in the middle, with 31,716 units, a year-on-year increase 152.1%.

In terms of rankings, compared with the same period last year, Weilai slipped to the bottom, and the seats between Xiaopeng and Ideal remained unchanged.

　　Although Weilai's sales still maintain growth, the growth rate is much slower than that of Xiaopeng and Ideal, and the ranking is declining. What is the reason?

On June 16, Li Bin, CEO of Weilai, responded at a user face-to-face communication meeting.

　　"Everyone's market is not exactly the same. I still feel a little strange that they can't sell us." Li Bin's answer seems to be still satisfied with the performance of Weilai's sales.

Why does Weilai have the lowest sales and the highest revenue?

　　In terms of revenue, according to the financial report, Weilai’s revenue in the first quarter was 9.91 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 24.2%; Xiaopeng’s revenue was 7.45 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 152.6%; the ideal revenue was 9.56 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 167.5%. %.

On the whole, Weilai has not changed much, and the upward momentum of Xiaopeng and Ideal in terms of revenue is very obvious.

　　Combined with sales, NIO’s sales are nearly 10,000 units lower than Xiaopeng’s and nearly 6,000 units lower than the ideal, but NIO still leads in terms of revenue. What’s the reason?

　　In terms of the average selling price of models, Weilai still maintains a leading position.

At present, Xiaopeng's models have dropped to the range of 150,000 yuan, and the ideal model price is around 300,000 yuan, while most of NIO's models remain above 400,000 yuan.

　　Li Bin said: "The first half of this year is the most difficult time for us, and the absence of the epidemic is also the most difficult time for us. The ES8 has indeed been sold for four years, and the ES6 has been sold for three years. We can still use these cars to have such a high price. share, indicating that our product positioning is advanced."

Weilai, Xiaopeng's loss expansion ideal is expected to be profitable for the whole year

　　Although Xiaopeng and Ideal maintain the lead in sales, the performance of the three car companies is quite different in terms of net profit.

　　The financial report shows that in the first quarter, Weilai’s net loss was 1.78 billion yuan, an increase of 295.3% year-on-year; Xiaopeng’s net loss was 1.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 116%; ideal net loss was 11 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 97%.

　　Past data shows that in the fourth quarter of 2021, the ideal net profit was 295 million yuan; in the first quarter of 2022, the ideal net loss narrowed year-on-year.

Taken together, Ideal is expected to achieve a full-year profit for the first time this year.

"Wei Xiaoli" competition may intensify

　　At present, Ideal and Xiaopeng are actively developing products and extending the track "upward".

　　On June 21, Li Auto's new large-scale SUV Li Li L9 was officially launched. The new car is priced at 459,800 yuan. The new car will be officially delivered in August.

　　At the same time, Xiaopeng Motors has also developed the flagship SUV model G9, and the price of the new car is expected to exceed 350,000 yuan.

According to He Xiaopeng, CEO of Xiaopeng Motors, at the Xiaopeng Motors first-quarter financial report performance conference: "This new car is expected to be officially launched and put into production in the third quarter, and will be delivered on a large scale in the fourth quarter."

　　Weilai has set its sights on the "lower" track.

　　Li Bin said that the current volume of new cars are being developed, and the price is expected to be around 200,000 yuan.

The model belongs to the ALPS sub-brand aimed at the mass market, and will be a battery-swapped version of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, which is 10% cheaper than competing products.

It is reported that the annual output of the new factory producing these cars can reach 500,000 vehicles.

Overall sales in the second quarter may be affected by the epidemic

　　Although the performance of the three auto companies in the first quarter can be described as "successful progress", under the influence of the previous epidemic, multiple unfavorable factors such as suspension of production and price increases are superimposed, and the second quarter may show a "dramatic fluctuation" situation.

　　Affected by the epidemic, the automobile-related industry chain has been severely impacted since late March.

According to data from the China Automobile Association, in April 2022, a total of 262,000 new energy passenger vehicles were sold, down 40.9% from the previous month. to make. 

　　In mid-April, Li Bin reluctantly said: "One car can't be produced without one part." He Xiaopeng also said at the same time: "If Shanghai and surrounding supply chain companies cannot find a way to dynamically resume work and production, it may be possible in May. All OEMs in China will stop production."

　　However, with the progress of resumption of work and production, related industrial chains are also improving rapidly.

Li Bin said recently, "At present, the JAC NIO advanced manufacturing base has fully recovered to the production capacity level before the epidemic, and will gradually increase the actual output in line with the mass production and ramp-up of new products." He Xiaopeng also said: "Xiaopeng has Double-shift production at the Zhaoqing plant will resume in mid-May." (End)