From software-defined vehicles to intelligence-defined vehicles, driven by the trend of the new energy vehicle era, the automotive industry is undergoing an unprecedented "big reshuffle". And in this great era, no one can be immune. Only by constantly involution, competition, seizing opportunities, and challenging head-on can we stay on the "table" in the advance of the wheel of history.
In fact, among the many "trendsetters" who have seized the opportunity, ECARX is definitely one of the mavericks.
In 2017, Li Shufu and Shen Ziyu co-founded ECARX, which aims to help global automotive brands build smart electric vehicles more easily. Now, six years later, ECARX has not only completed the SPAC listing and achieved global development, but also achieved rapid growth and achievements in the technology ecology and product matrix of automotive intelligence.
FigThe first ECARX Technology Ecosystem Day.
To put it simply, the most important thing we often talk about automotive intelligence today is intelligent cockpit and intelligent driving.
From the perspective of products, intelligence is not only the blessing of technology, but also involves the careful polishing of experience, functions and other aspects. The concept of the so-called intelligent transformation is tantamount to a peak, and only by always firmly focusing on technology and adhering to long-termism can we have the opportunity to "see the whole picture".
Obviously, ECARX is one such company. Moreover, it is worth affirming that ECARX, which has taken advantage of the trend and climbed the stairs, has given full play to its subjective initiative, and has broken through the encirclement and opened up a world of its own in the increasingly anxious war in the automobile market.
Start from the original intention and create intelligence
This year is ECARX's first year after completing the SPAC, and it is also a year of rapid growth and steady development in the field of automotive intelligence.
In the past year, ECARX has not been carried away by the joy of "going public", but still sticks to the original intention of "helping car companies build good cars" and always moving forward
The first TechDay was held, a series of computing platforms including the Antola series, Makalu, and Automotive Brain were announced, the first appearance of Meizu Group at the Shanghai Auto Show was jointly guaranteed, the mass production and delivery of Lynk & Co 08 was jointly guaranteed, the Tianqiong Pro intelligent driving computing platform was released, the capital increase of Jika Intelligence, and the hand-in-hand Mobileye ......ECARX is living its values.
FigZiyu Shen, Co-founder, Chairman & CEO of ECARX.
When it comes to ECARX's achievements over the past year, the star model Lynk & Co 08 is indispensable. As Lynk & Co's first new energy strategic model, the Lynk & Co 08 is a strong proof of ECARX's growth.
It is precisely because of the tripartite collaboration and strong alliance of ECARX, Xinqing and Meizu that the intelligent cockpit operating system of Flyme Auto has been created, which has strongly supported the mass production and delivery of the Lynk & Co 08 and its reputation**, with 12,055 units sold in just 54 days after its launch, becoming the popular model of the year.
The fundamental support behind good product performance must be forward-looking top-level thinking, as Cai Lili, Senior Vice President of ECARX Technology, emphasized: "If the intelligent cockpit is compared to a Chinese essay question, the focus is on the emotional experience of thousands of people;Intelligent driving is more like a math problem, with different calculation methods and the same answers. Under the complementary effect of emotional intelligence and IQ, product and service capabilities can continue to succeed. ”
FigECARX's multiple computing platforms empower Lynk & Co 08
This also explains how ECARX Antola 1000 Pro computing platform, as the base and hub of the Lynk & Co 08 intelligent experience, plays an important role in the intelligent cockpit of "thousands of people, thousands of faces".
Through the efficient cooperation of the high-speed inter-line SE-Link jointly developed by the two parties, the CPU computing power can reach up to 200K DMIPS, the NPU computing power can reach up to 16TOPS, and the GPU computing power can reach up to 1800G FLOPS, through sufficient interconnection interfaces, fully connects the intelligent cockpit of the whole vehicle and realizes interconnection, fully supporting the interactive innovation of Flyme Auto in the field of HMI.
In fact, ECARX, with its full-stack technology layout, has not only achieved long-term success in the field of intelligent cockpits. It has laid a solid foundation in the field of intelligent driving.
At the beginning of November this year, ECARX officially announced the mass production of ECARX Tianqiong PRO intelligent driving computing platform.
It is reported that ECARX's Tianqiong Pro intelligent driving computing platform adopts the cutting-edge "integrated driving and parking" architecture design, integrates two domestically developed powerful automotive-grade intelligent driving SoCs - Huashan No. 2 A1000, as well as QNX and AutoSAR AP&CP automotive-grade operating systems, with a peak computing power of up to 116 TOPS, and supports industry-leading BEV perception algorithms and 5R10V (1L) sensor configuration schemes.
FigECARX Sky Dome Pro intelligent driving computing platform.
What's more, in terms of the safety that intelligent driving is most concerned about, the platform can meet the safety regulations of local policies. In addition, the AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking System) with active safety capability has been fully designed, which can effectively prevent emergency scenarios such as ghost probes and VRUs. It is reported that the platform has been officially mass-produced and delivered to the car together with the ECARX Antola 1000 Pro cockpit computing platform with the launch of the Lynk & Co 08.
In short, ECARX Tianqiong Pro intelligent driving computing platform is excellent in terms of performance and safety, as well as in the development and scalability of the platform with the continuous upgrading of product functions. With the self-developed intelligent driving computing platform as the foundation, ECARX's exploration in the field of intelligent driving will become more in-depth and more successful.
FigECARX signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Black Sesame.
On December 22, ECARX and Black Sesame signed a strategic cooperation agreement to share visual perception algorithms, chips, and tool chains, carry out joint platform research and development, and work together to create leading intelligent driving solutions for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, and ultimately use ECARX as an integrated application platform to lead the integrated development and manufacturing of software and hardware.
As the layout and operation of the "automotive intelligent ecosystem", ECARX provides a good foundation and hub for a wide range of "professionals" in the industry, and also opens up new value opportunities for the development of the intelligent driving industry.
In this way, ECARX, which has multiple layouts and continuous evolution, has come to this point with its intelligent cockpit + intelligent driving walking on two legs. However, behind the glamorous and glamorous, there are always many unknown hardships, and ECARX wants to be more comfortable in today's complex and ever-changing market, and it is not enough to rely on a single product.
Break boundaries and achieve value
Not long ago, ECARX released its results for the third quarter of 2023. According to the content, ECARX's total operating revenue in Q3 was 10800 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 50%;The gross profit was 3300 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 140%;The gross profit margin is as high as 31%, and the earning ability is remarkable, and it has delivered a good result in the first year of listing.
As of September 30, 2023, more than 5.6 million vehicles have been equipped with ECARX's technology products. In response to this achievement, there will always be many people who ask, how can ECARX make money in the automotive industry?
FigECARX Q3 2023 Financial Results.
The answer is self-evident, the advent of the era of new energy vehicles has brought unprecedented opportunities and challenges to major enterprises. However, unlike other companies chasing the trend, ECARX's value embodiment is not only "single intelligence", but also breaks the boundaries of the industry, on the one hand, it continues to expand the technology ecology and introduce advanced technology into the field of automotive intelligenceOn the other hand, we will provide solutions according to the actual needs of different enterprises and different models, and gradually build a "large and comprehensive" mutually beneficial ecological alliance.
From software to hardware, from intelligent cockpit to intelligent driving, and from user-centric to human-vehicle-machine ecology, ECARX continues to expand the ecosystem and complete the industrial chain. Now, these efforts have been initially reflected in the Lynk & Co 08, and with the continuous development of ECARX, the entire base will become bigger and bigger.
As Ziyu Shen, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of ECARX, explains, "The company's full-stack capabilities provide automakers with flexible and highly customizable solutions that help shape unique customer experiences. At the same time, the company's large-scale investment has further enriched its product matrix, continuously expanded new customers outside the Geely Group, and promoted the sustainable development of the company's overseas business. ”
Regarding the evolution of the automotive intelligence era, ECARX has never pursued a single battle, but a true beauty and harmony.
From the high-profile Lynk & Co 08 during the year, to the in-depth cooperation with more brands such as Changan Mazda, Dongfeng Citroen, smart, Polestar, Volvo, etc., as well as the cooperation with the world's top technology companies AMD, Qualcomm, Luminar, Mobileye, Unity, Unreal, Black Sesame, etc., ECARX has continued to engage with top partners, and has been selected by more and more enterprises.
FigSigning ceremony for the establishment of a joint venture between smart and ECARX.
On December 28, ECARX announced the establishment of a joint venture with smart. A new solution is proposed for the problem of "self-research or purchasing" in the industry.
In addition to the implementation of the Makalu computing platform and the new evolution of smartOS, ECARX will be able to better guide the development and promotion of technical products from smart's insight into products and user needs, and create a benchmark experience.
There is no doubt that for ECARX, "building a global smart travel technology ecosystem" will not be an empty phrase. Despite the difficulties and thorns on this road forward, ECARX, which is determined to break through the boundaries of industry integration and always adheres to the all-round layout, is fearless and moves forward all the way.
FigECARX Product Matrix.
Looking back, the listing and delivery of the Lynk & Co 08 and the hot sale are the best evidence of ECARX's strength, corporate value, and even the strength of the ecological alliance of SiEngine Technology and Meizu Group.
Looking ahead, ECARX's empowerment of Lynk & Co 08 is just a new starting point, and in today's era of smart cars, ECARX, with its complete industrial chain and deep moat, will explode with greater potential and future value.
It is not difficult to foresee that with the application of smart Phantom 1 Phantom 3, Polestar 4, Volvo EX-30 and other global strategic models, ECARX will further penetrate the global automotive industry chain in the future with its deep technical capabilities, complete solutions and excellent reputation.
At that time, ECARX will embark on an exemplary pioneer path for the development of China's automotive industry.