As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2020
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
XPeng Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Cayman Islands | 3711 | Not Applicable | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
No. 8 Songgang Road, Changxing Street
Cencun, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
Guangdong 510640
Peoples Republic of China
+86-020-6680-6680
(Address and Telephone Number of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
Cogency Global Inc.
122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10168
+1 (800) 221-0102
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Copies to: | ||||
Yi Gao, Esq. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP c/o 35th Floor, ICBC Tower 3 Garden Road Central, Hong Kong +852-2514-7600 |
Kevin P. Kennedy, Esq. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP 2475 Hanover Street Palo Alto, California 94304 (650) 251-5000 |
Benjamin Su, Esq. Daying Zhang, Esq. Latham & Watkins LLP 18th Floor, One Exchange Square 8 Connaught Place Central, Hong Kong +852-2912-2500 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☒
The term new or revised financial accounting standard refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
| ||||
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered(1) |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(2)(3) |
Amount of Registration Fee | ||
Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share |
US$100,000,000.00 | US$12,980.00 | ||
| ||||
|
(1) | American depositary shares, or ADSs, issuable upon deposit of the Class A ordinary shares registered hereby will be registered under a separate registration statement on Form F-6 (Registration No. 333- ). Each ADS represents Class A ordinary shares. |
(2) | Includes (a) Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs that may be purchased by the underwriters pursuant to their over-allotment option and (b) all Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs initially offered and sold outside the United States that may be resold from time to time in the United States either as part of the distribution or within 40 days after the later of the effective date of this registration statement and the date the securities are first bona fide offered to the public. |
(3) | Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion. Dated , 2020.
American Depositary Shares
XPeng Inc.
Representing Class A Ordinary Shares
This is an initial public offering of American depositary shares, or ADSs, representing Class A ordinary shares of XPeng Inc.
We are offering ADSs. Each ADS represents Class A ordinary shares, US$0.00001 par value per share. We anticipate the initial public offering price per ADS will be between US$ and US$ .
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our shares. We will apply to list the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol XPEV.
We are an emerging growth company under applicable United States federal securities laws and are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements.
See Risk Factors on page 16 to read about factors you should consider before buying the ADSs.
Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per ADS | Total | |||||||
Initial public offering price |
US$ | US$ | ||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) |
US$ | US$ | ||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
US$ | US$ |
(1) | For additional information on underwriting compensation, see Underwriting. |
To the extent that the underwriters sell more than ADSs in this offering, the underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to an aggregate of additional ADSs from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
Upon the completion of this offering, Class A ordinary shares and 429,846,136 Class B ordinary shares will be issued and outstanding. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Each Class A ordinary share will be entitled to one vote, and each Class B ordinary share will be entitled into [10] votes and will be convertible to one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Mr. Xiaopeng He, our co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Heng Xia, our co-founder, director and president, and Mr. Tao He, our co-founder, director and senior vice president, will beneficially own in the aggregate all of our issued Class B ordinary shares representing in the aggregate % of the voting power of our total issued and outstanding shares immediately after the completion of this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs.
The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment in New York, New York on , 2020.
Credit Suisse | J.P. Morgan | BofA Securities |
Prospectus dated , 2020
G3 (SUV)
P7 (Four-door Sports Sedan)
XPILOT: 360-degree Perception
Three-in-one Electric Drive System and Battery Pack
Zhaoqing Plant
1 | ||||
12 | ||||
16 | ||||
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Industry Data |
67 | |||
69 | ||||
70 | ||||
71 | ||||
74 | ||||
76 | ||||
78 | ||||
83 | ||||
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
86 | |||
109 | ||||
115 | ||||
138 | ||||
152 | ||||
161 | ||||
166 | ||||
167 | ||||
180 | ||||
192 | ||||
194 | ||||
201 | ||||
212 | ||||
213 | ||||
213 | ||||
214 | ||||
F-1 |
No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent as to anything not contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell, and we are seeking offers to buy, only the ADSs offered hereby, and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the ADSs.
Neither we nor the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or the possession or distribution of this prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus in any jurisdiction where other action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the ADSs and the distribution of this prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus outside of the United States.
Until , 2020 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade ADSs, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
i
This summary highlights selected information contained in greater detail elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the ADSs. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including Risk Factors and the financial statements, before making an investment decision. This prospectus contains information from an industry report commissioned by us and prepared by IHS Global Inc., an independent market research firm, to provide information regarding our industry and our market position in China. We refer to this report as the IHS Markit Report.
Mission
Driving Smart EV transformation with technology and data, shaping the mobility experience of the future.
Overview
We are one of Chinas leading smart electric vehicle, or Smart EV, companies. We design, develop, manufacture and market Smart EVs in China. Xpeng was founded in 2015 with a vision to bring Smart EVs to Chinese consumers through innovation in autonomous driving, smart connectivity and core vehicle systems. Today, we are a proven leader in the rapidly growing Smart EV market, producing popular and environmentally-friendly vehicles, namely an SUV (the G3) and a four-door sports sedan (the P7). Our Smart EVs offer attractive design and high performance, coupled with safety and reliability. According to the IHS Markit Report, the G3 was among the top-three best-selling electric SUVs in China in 2019. The P7 offers an NEDC range of up to 706 km (439 miles) on a single charge, which is the longest among EVs that are available in China, based on the MIIT NEV Catalogues.
Our Smart EVs appeal to the large and growing base of technology-savvy middle-class consumers in China. We primarily target the mid- to high-end segment in Chinas passenger vehicle market, with prices ranging from RMB150,000 to RMB300,000, for our Smart EVs. According to the IHS Markit Report, the mid- to high-end segment represented 30.6% of Chinas passenger vehicle market by sales volume in 2019 and had a higher EV penetration rate than other price segments. Consumers choose our products primarily because of attractive design, smart mobility experience, advanced technology and compelling value proposition. As of June 30, 2020, over 90% of purchasers of the G3 chose the versions with autonomous driving capabilities. As of the same date, approximately 50% of customers ordered the versions of the P7 that can support XPILOT 3.0, our upcoming advanced autonomous driving system.
In order to optimize our customers mobility experience, we have strategically chosen to focus on developing full-stack autonomous driving technology and in-car intelligent operating system, as well as core vehicle systems, including powertrain and the electrical and electronic architecture, or the E/E architecture, in-house. According to the IHS Markit Report, our XPILOT 3.0 is expected to offer the highest level of autonomous driving capabilities in commercially available passenger vehicles today. Through our proprietary software, core hardware and data technologies, we are able to develop and deploy innovative products rapidly and efficiently, which gives us an advantage over our competitors in China.
1
We started production of the G3 in November 2018, and as of July 31, 2020, we had delivered 18,741 units of the G3 to customers. We started production of the P7 and began delivery in May 2020, and as of July 31, 2020, we had delivered 1,966 units of the P7 to customers. We plan to launch our third Smart EV, a sedan, in 2021. The table below sets forth certain features of the G3 and the P7.
![]() |
![]() | |||
Model |
G3 (SUV) |
P7 (Sports Sedan) | ||
Wheelbase (mm) |
2,625 | 2,998 | ||
NEDC range (km) |
460 / 520 | 562 / 586 / 670 / 706 | ||
Battery capacity (kWh) |
57.5 / 66.7 | 70.8 / 80.9 | ||
0-100km/h acceleration (s) |
8.6 | 4.4 / 6.8 / 6.9(1) | ||
Post-subsidy price (RMB) |
146,800 199,800 | 229,900 349,900(2) |
(1) | The P7s four-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive super long range and rear-wheel drive long range configurations can accelerate from zero to 100 km per hour in 4.4, 6.8 and 6.9 seconds, respectively. |
(2) | The price range is exclusive of the software of XPILOT 3.0. |
Our autonomous driving system and in-car intelligent operating system allow customers to enjoy a new smart mobility experience, and our Smart EVs can be upgraded through over-the-air, or OTA, firmware updates.
| XPILOT, our autonomous driving system, provides assisted driving and parking functions tailored for driving behavior and road conditions in China. Currently deployed on the G3 and the P7, XPILOT 2.5 offers adaptive cruise control, adaptive turning control, lane centering control, automated lane changing and automated parking. As of June 30, 2020, our adaptive cruise control function had been used for 25.1 million kilometers of driving cumulatively, and our lane centering control function had been used for 11.1 million kilometers of driving cumulatively. We plan to roll out XPILOT 3.0 by early 2021. XPILOT 3.0 will feature several new functions, including a navigation guided pilot for highway driving and advanced automated parking, in addition to the functions available in XPILOT 2.5. |
| Xmart OS, our in-car intelligent operating system, supports a smart cockpit that delivers a seamless, easy-to-use, and voice-controlled smart mobility experience. Xmart OS enables a broad range of smart connectivity functions, such as artificial intelligence, or AI, voice assistant, smart navigation and an app store. The in-car app store allows our customers to conveniently access third-party services and infotainment and allows us to develop our smart connectivity ecosystem and create value for all participants. |
| Our technological capabilities in software and hardware integration and E/E architecture enable us to effectively deliver OTA firmware updates. Through such updates, we are able to frequently upgrade our Smart EVs throughout the product lifecycle, and our customers can enjoy more functions and better user experience. |
We design, develop and engineer our core vehicle systems in-house, including the development of key technologies relating to powertrain and E/E architecture to deliver superior and reliable vehicle performance. For example, the P7 has achieved industry-leading driving range as a result of our comprehensive engineering efforts. We collaborated with a top-tier supplier to develop the P7s prismatic lithium NCM cells, which offer high energy density and low height. Furthermore, we integrated a braking system that offers advanced energy
2
recovery capability, and the P7s low air drag and three-in-one electric drive system also contribute to its high energy efficiency. Our collaboration with a German engineering and design firm to develop the P7s chassis allows us to offer a superior driving experience in terms of performance, drivability and handling. As a result of our efforts in modular design across key aspects of Smart EVs, we have strategically established two Smart EV platforms. These platforms are scalable for both SUVs and sedans with different wheelbases within a wide range, which allows us to develop new models in a fast and cost-efficient manner.
We have an omni-channel sales model, which combines a data-driven and targeted online marketing strategy with a physical sales and service network. As of June 30, 2020, our physical sales and service network consisted of a total of 147 stores and service centers, which cover 52 major cities in China. A substantial majority of our stores are strategically located in shopping malls in tier-one and tier-two cities, as we believe such locations enable us to raise our brand awareness and attract customer traffic in a cost-efficient manner. In addition, we actively engage in data-driven and targeted online marketing through a variety of channels to further enhance our brand recognition and acquire customers.
Our manufacturing philosophy centers around quality, continuous improvement, flexibility and high operating efficiency. We take a lean production approach, with the aim of continuous optimization in operating efficiency and product quality. We produce the G3 through a contract manufacturing collaboration with Haima, which has over three decades of automotive manufacturing experience, at its plant in Zhengzhou, Henan province. The arrangement allows us to retain effective control of key manufacturing and procurement processes and product quality with minimal required capital outlay. In addition, we have built our own plant in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province. We started the production of the P7 at the plant in May 2020 and will also utilize the plant for future models. We are leveraging the manufacturing know-how and experience gained at the Haima plant to quickly ramp up the Zhaoqing plant. The Haima plant and the Zhaoqing plant have annual production capacity of up to 150,000 units and 100,000 units, respectively.
As of June 30, 2020, we had 3,676 employees in China and the United States. As of June 30, 2020, approximately 43% of our employees focused on research and development, of which 66%, 17% and 17% were dedicated to automotive design and engineering, autonomous driving and intelligent operating system, respectively.
Our Strengths
We believe the following strengths position us well to capitalize on the opportunities of a rapidly changing passenger vehicle market and the anticipated consumer demand for Smart EVs in China:
| we are a leading Smart EV company; |
| great to drive, great to be driven; |
| deep software, hardware and data technologies; |
| innovative software and content subscription model; |
| scalable and efficient platforms; and |
| the winning team for Smart EV. |
Our Strategies
We pursue the following strategies to accomplish our mission:
| continue to invest in and advance our technologies; |
3
| leverage common platforms to launch a new model every year; |
| build the leading Smart EV brand; |
| expand our sales and super charging network; |
| drive operating efficiency by optimizing production management; and |
| expand innovative subscription and value-added services. |
Our Challenges
Our business and successful execution of our strategies are subject to certain challenges, risks and uncertainties including:
| our limited operating history; |
| our ability to effectively manage our growth; |
| uncertainties relating to our research and development efforts; |
| our ability to offer a good mobility experience and meet customer expectations; |
| our ability to attain profitability and positive operating cash flows; |
| uncertainties relating to autonomous driving technologies; |
| our ability to compete in our industry; |
| changes to government subsidies, economic incentives and government policies relating to NEVs and domestically produced vehicles; and |
| the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. |
In addition, we face risks and uncertainties related to the regulatory environment in China, including:
| further changes and interpretation of laws and regulations governing the EV market in the PRC; and |
| changes in the political and economic policies of the PRC government. |
Recent Developments
We delivered a total of 2,451 Smart EVs, including 1,641 units of the P7 and 810 units of the G3, to customers in July 2020.
In August 2020, we completed our Series C+ round financing. We issued an aggregate of 207,588,515 Series C preferred shares to 27 investors and received US$900.0 million of proceeds from the Series C+ round financing. See Description of Share CapitalHistory of Securities Issuances.
Our History and Corporate Structure
We began our operations in 2015 through Guangzhou Chengxing Zhidong Automotive Technology Co., Ltd., or Chengxing Zhidong, a PRC limited liability company. We undertook a reorganization, or the Reorganization, to facilitate our initial public offering in the United States. As part of the Reorganization, we incorporated XPeng Inc., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands, in December 2018. Subsequently, XPeng Inc. established XPeng Limited, a limited liability company established in the British Virgin Islands. XPeng Limited then established XPeng (Hong Kong) Limited, a Hong Kong limited liability company, as its wholly owned subsidiary. XPeng (HK) Limited then established Guangdong Xiaopeng Motors Technology Co., Ltd., or Xiaopeng Motors, as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in the PRC.
4
As a transitional arrangement of the Reorganization, Xiaopeng Motors entered into a series of contractual agreements with Chengxing Zhidong and its shareholders in September 2019, pursuant to which Xiaopeng Motors exercised effective control over the operations of Chengxing Zhidong. In connection with the Reorganization, substantially all of the former shareholders of Chengxing Zhidong have exited from Chengxing Zhidong and obtained, by themselves or through their respective affiliates, shares of XPeng Inc. based on their respective shareholding in Chengxing Zhidong prior to the Reorganization. In May 2020, Xiaopeng Motors completed its purchase of 100% equity interest in Chengxing Zhidong. Consequently, Chengxing Zhidong became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of XPeng Inc.
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus. Certain entities that are immaterial to our results of operations, business and financial condition are omitted. Except as otherwise specified, equity interests depicted in this diagram are held as to 100%.
(1) | We have the option to acquire the remaining 0.5% equity interest in Xiaopeng Technology from the current owner, and the owner has the right to require us to purchase such equity interest, in or before September 2022 at a purchase price equal to such owners initial investment plus an investment yield. |
(2) | Includes (i) 36 subsidiaries that are wholly-owned by Chengxing Zhidong, (ii) three subsidiaries of which a majority equity interest is held by Chengxing Zhidong, and (iii) one subsidiary, of which a 50% equity interest is held by Chengxing Zhidong. Chengxing Zhidong and its subsidiaries are primarily involved in research and development, manufacturing and selling our Smart EVs and providing after-sales services. |
(3) | Includes (i) eight subsidiaries that are wholly-owned by Guangdong Xiaopeng Automobile Industry Holdings Co., Ltd., or Xiaopeng Automobile, and (ii) one subsidiary, of which 73.8% equity interest is held by Xiaopeng Automobile. Xiaopeng Automobile and its subsidiaries are primarily involved in providing value-added services. |
(4) | Heng Xia, our co-founder, director and president, and Tao He, our co-founder, director and senior vice president hold 80% and 20% equity interest, respectively, in Zhipeng IoV. Zhipeng IoV is primarily involved in operating our Xpeng mobile apps and providing value-added services. |
(5) | Xiaopeng He, our co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer, and Heng Xia hold 80% and 20% equity interest, respectively, in Yidian Chuxing. Yidian Chuxing is primarily involved in providing ride-hailing services and operating the related mobile app. |
5
Our Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at No. 8 Songgang Road, Changxing Street, Cencun, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510640, Peoples Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86-020-6680-6680. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the offices of Harneys Fiduciary (Cayman) Limited, 4th Floor, Harbour Place, 103 South Church Street, P.O. Box 10240, Grand Cayman KY1-1002, Cayman Islands. Investors should submit any inquiries to the address and telephone number of our principal executive offices set forth above.
Our main website is www.xiaopeng.com, and the information contained on this website is not a part of this prospectus. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10168.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for the last fiscal year, we qualify as an emerging growth company pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, related to the assessment of the effectiveness of the emerging growth companys internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. However, we have elected to opt out of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of our fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.07 billion; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three year period, issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of the ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above.
Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer and a Controlled Company
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act and, as such, we are permitted to follow the corporate governance practices of our home country, the Cayman Islands, in lieu of the corporate governance standards of NYSE applicable to U.S. domestic companies. For example, we are not required to have a majority of the board consisting of independent directors nor have a compensation committee or a nominating and corporate governance committee consisting entirely of independent directors. We intend to continue to follow our home countrys corporate governance practices as long as we remain a foreign private issuer. As a result, you may not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of U.S. domestic companies that are subject to NYSE corporate governance requirements. As a foreign private issuer, we are also subject to reduced disclosure requirements and are exempt from certain provisions of the U.S. securities rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers such as the rules regulating solicitation of proxies and certain insider reporting and short-swing profit rules.
6
Upon the completion of this offering, we will be a controlled company as defined under the rules of NYSE, because Mr. Xiaopeng He, our co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer, will be able to exercise % of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding shares, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. Under the rules of NYSE, a controlled company may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements. Currently, we do not plan to utilize the controlled company exemptions with respect to our corporate governance practice after we complete this offering.
Conventions That Apply to This Prospectus
Unless we indicate otherwise, references in this prospectus to:
| ADSs are to American depositary shares, each of which represents Class A ordinary shares; |
| average utilization rate of any function of our Smart EVs are to the number of Smart EVs whose drivers had used such function at least once during a period of time divided by the number of Smart EVs that had been driven at least once during such period. |
| C-NCAP are China New Car Assessment Program, which is a car safety assessment program run by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center; |
| CAGR are to compound annual growth rate; |
| China and the PRC are to the Peoples Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this prospectus only, Taiwan, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region; |
| EV and electric vehicle are to battery electric passenger vehicle; |
| ICE are to internal combustion engine; |
| mid- to high-end segment are to the segment in Chinas passenger vehicle market with prices ranging from RMB150,000 to RMB300,000, not including any government subsidy; |
| MIIT NEV Catalogues are to the Catalogues of New Energy Vehicle Models Exempted from Vehicle Purchase Tax published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the PRC, or the MIIT, in the period from August 2014 to April 2020, which include relevant data of new energy vehicles registered with them; |
| NEDC are to New European Driving Cycle, which is designed to assess the emission levels of car engines and fuel economy in passenger vehicles; |
| NEV are to new energy vehicle; |
| OEM are to automotive original equipment manufacturer; |
| ordinary shares are to our Class A ordinary shares, US$0.00001 par value per share, and Class B ordinary shares, US$0.00001 par value per share; each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote; each Class B ordinary share is entitled to five votes prior to the completion of this offering, and will be entitled to [10] votes upon the completion of this offering pursuant to our seventh amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering; |
| post-subsidy price are to the purchase price that takes into account the subsidies from Chinas central government as of June 30, 2020, which was RMB22,500 for each qualified purchase of the G3 by an individual, and ranged from RMB22,500 to RMB24,750 for each qualified purchase of the P7 by an |
7
individual; post-subsidy price does not take into account (i) additional cost related to certain premium features that customers may opt for or (ii) subsidies offered by certain local governments for EV purchases; |
| RMB or Renminbi are to the legal currency of China; |
| SUV are to sport utility vehicle; |
| tier-one cities are to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen; |
| tier-two cities are to Tianjin, Chongqing, Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang, Hohhot, Shijiazhuang, Urumchi, Lanzhou, Xining, Xian, Yinchuan, Zhengzhou, Jinan, Taiyuan, Hefei, Changsha, Wuhan, Nanjing, Chengdu, Guiyang, Kunming, Nanning, Lhasa, Hangzhou, Nanchang, Fuzhou, Haikou, Qingdao, Dalian, Ningbo and Xiamen; |
| US$, U.S. dollars, or dollars are to the legal currency of the United States; and |
| we, us, our company and our are to XPeng Inc. and its subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities, or VIEs, and their respective subsidiaries, as the context requires. |
Unless specifically indicated otherwise or unless the context otherwise requires, all information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs.
This prospectus contains translations between Renminbi and U.S. dollars for the convenience of the reader. The translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus were made at a rate of RMB7.0651 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on June 30, 2020. We make no representation that the Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. On July 31, 2020, the noon buying rate for Renminbi was RMB6.9744 to US$1.00.
8
The Offering
Price per ADS |
We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between US$ and US$ per ADS. |
ADSs Offered by Us |
ADSs |
ADSs Outstanding Immediately After This Offering |
ADSs (or ADSs if the underwriters exercise in full the over-allotment option). |
Ordinary Shares Outstanding Immediately After This Offering |
Class A ordinary shares and 429,846,136 Class B ordinary shares (or Class A ordinary shares and 429,846,136 Class B ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise in full the over-allotment option). |
The ADSs |
Each ADS represents Class A ordinary shares. |
The depositary will be the holder of the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs and you will have the rights of an ADS holder as provided in the deposit agreement among us, the depositary and all holders and beneficial owners of ADSs thereunder. |
You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary to withdraw the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. The depositary will charge you a fee for such an exchange. |
We and the depositary may amend or terminate the deposit agreement for any reason without your consent. Any amendment that imposes or increases fees or charges or which materially prejudices any substantial existing right you have as an ADS holder will not become effective as to outstanding ADSs until 30 days after notice of the amendment is given to ADS holders. If an amendment becomes effective, you will be bound by the deposit agreement as amended if you continue to hold your ADSs. |
To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the section in this prospectus entitled Description of American Depositary Shares. We also encourage you to read the deposit agreement, which is an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. |
Ordinary Shares |
Pursuant to our seventh amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our ordinary shares will be divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders vote, each Class A ordinary share will be entitled to one vote, and each Class B ordinary share will be entitled to [10] votes, voting together as one class. Each |
9
Class B ordinary share will be convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares will not be convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any transfer of Class B ordinary shares by a holder to any person or entity which is not an affiliate of such holder, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the equivalent number of Class A ordinary shares. See Description of Share Capital for more information. |
Over-Allotment Option |
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of additional ADSs at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments. |
Use of Proceeds |
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$ million from this offering, or approximately US$ million if the underwriters exercise in full the over-allotment option, assuming an initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of the initial public offering price, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
We anticipate using the net proceeds of this offering for (i) research and development of our Smart EVs and technologies, (ii) selling and marketing and expansion of sales channels, and (iii) general corporate purposes. |
See Use of Proceeds for more information. |
Lock-up |
[We, our officers and directors and our existing shareholders] have agreed with the underwriters not to sell, transfer or dispose of any ADSs, ordinary shares or similar securities for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions. See Shares Eligible for Future Sale and Underwriting. |
Risk Factors |
See Risk Factors and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of the risks relating to investing in the ADSs. You should carefully consider these risks before deciding to invest in the ADSs. |
Directed Share Program |
At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to % of the ADSs offered by this prospectus for sale, at the initial public offering price, to our directors, officers, employees and other individuals associated with us and members of their families. Any sales made through the directed share program will be made by . We do not know if these persons will choose to purchase all or any portion of these reserved ADSs, but any purchases they do make will reduce the number of ADSs available to the general public. Any reserved ADSs not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general |
10
public on the same terms as the other ADSs. Certain participants may be subject to the lock-up agreements as described in UnderwritingDirected Share Program elsewhere in this prospectus. |
Listing |
We will apply to list the ADSs on the NYSE. Our ordinary shares will not be listed on any exchange or quoted for trading on any over-the-counter trading system. |
NYSE Trading Symbol |
XPEV |
Payment and settlement |
The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment on , 2020, through the facilities of the Depositary Trust Company, or DTC. |
Depositary |
Citibank, N.A. |
The total number of ordinary shares that will be outstanding immediately after this offering will be Class A ordinary shares and 429,846,136 Class B ordinary shares, which is based upon (i) 107,051,240 Class A and 331,234,375 Class B ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering; (ii) the automatic conversion of 16,926,907 Series B preferred shares, 29,871,475 Series B-1 preferred shares, 7,033,275 Series B-2 preferred shares and 43,642,225 Series C preferred shares held by Simplicity Holding Limited into 97,473,882 Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; (iii) the automatic conversion of 1,137,879 Series B preferred shares held by Efficiency Investment Limited into 1,137,879 Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; (iv) the automatic conversion of the remaining outstanding preferred shares into 703,121,624 Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; and (v) Class A ordinary shares issued in connection with this offering (assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs), but exclude:
| 53,356,515 Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the settlement of outstanding restricted share units, or RSUs, under our share incentive plan; and |
| 32,567,345 additional Class A ordinary shares reserved for future grants under our share incentive plan. |
11
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data and summary consolidated statements of cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 and summary consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data and summary consolidated cash flows data for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020 and summary consolidated balance sheets data (excluding pro forma as adjusted data) as of June 30, 2020 have been derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair statement of our financial position and results of operations for the periods presented.
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period. The following summary consolidated financial data for the periods and as of the dates indicated are qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and related notes and the information under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Summary Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss Data
Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for share and per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vehicle sales |
4,153 | 2,171,231 | 307,318 | 1,197,499 | 913,269 | 129,265 | ||||||||||||||||||
Services and others |
5,553 | 149,988 | 21,229 | 33,993 | 89,581 | 12,679 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total revenues |
9,706 | 2,321,219 | 328,547 | 1,231,492 | 1,002,850 | 141,944 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Cost of sales |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vehicle sales |
(8,220 | ) | (2,733,531 | ) | (386,906 | ) | (1,667,805 | ) | (963,136 | ) | (136,323 | ) | ||||||||||||
Services and others |
(3,847 | ) | (145,829 | ) | (20,641 | ) | (34,475 | ) | (75,830 | ) | (10,733 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total cost of sales |
(12,067 | ) | (2,879,360 | ) | (407,547 | ) | (1,702,280 | ) | (1,038,966 | ) | (147,056 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Gross loss |
(2,361 | ) | (558,141 | ) | (79,000 | ) | (470,788 | ) | (36,116 | ) | (5,112 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Research and development expenses |
(1,051,219 | ) | (2,070,158 | ) | (293,012 | ) | (983,198 | ) | (630,578 | ) | (89,253 | ) | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
(642,541 | ) | (1,164,569 | ) | (164,834 | ) | (484,058 | ) | (798,974 | ) | (113,087 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
(1,693,760 | ) | (3,234,727 | ) | (457,846 | ) | (1,467,256 | ) | (1,429,552 | ) | (202,340 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other income |
1,487 | 12,294 | 1,740 | 5,116 | 37,293 | 5,278 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(1,694,634 | ) | (3,780,574 | ) | (535,106 | ) | (1,932,928 | ) | (1,428,375 | ) | (202,174 | ) | ||||||||||||
Interest income |
65,376 | 88,843 | 12,575 | 58,031 | 20,953 | 2,966 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expenses |
(5,822 | ) | (32,017 | ) | (4,532 | ) | (11,677 | ) | (15,954 | ) | (2,258 | ) | ||||||||||||
Fair value gain (loss) on derivative liabilities |
254,361 | 27,679 | 3,918 | (47,079 | ) | 618,442 | 87,535 | |||||||||||||||||
Other non-operating (loss) income, net |
(18,104 | ) | 4,397 | 622 | 15,324 | 9,131 | 1,292 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for share and per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income tax expenses |
(1,398,823 | ) | (3,691,672 | ) | (522,523 | ) | (1,918,329 | ) | (795,803 | ) | (112,639 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Income tax expenses |
| (1 | ) | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net loss |
(1,398,823 | ) | (3,691,673 | ) | (522,523 | ) | (1,918,329 | ) | (795,803 | ) | (112,639 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of XPeng Inc. |
(2,257,844 | ) | (4,645,722 | ) | (657,560 | ) | (2,331,763 | ) | (2,091,939 | ) | (296,096 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing net loss per ordinary share |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted |
330,176,070 | 349,450,580 | 349,450,580 | 349,414,050 | 362,747,375 | 362,747,375 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net loss per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted |
(6.83 | ) | (13.29 | ) | (1.88 | ) | (6.60 | ) | (5.72 | ) | (0.81 | ) |
13
Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets Data
As of December 31, | As of June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | Actual | Actual | Pro Forma(1) | Pro Forma As Adjusted(2) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
1,626,878 | 1,946,931 | 275,570 | 1,061,209 | 150,204 | 1,061,209 | 150,204 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
4,647 | 460,812 | 65,224 | 834,099 | 118,059 | 834,099 | 118,059 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term deposits |
759,975 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments |
2,246,272 | 407,844 | 57,727 | 223,173 | 31,588 | 223,173 | 31,588 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prepayments and other current assets |
1,236,596 | 1,083,307 | 153,332 | 1,023,967 | 144,931 | 1,023,967 | 144,931 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
863,357 | 3,229,952 | 457,170 | 3,218,922 | 455,609 | 3,218,922 | 455,609 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
7,673,188 | 9,251,365 | 1,309,449 | 9,324,869 | 1,319,847 | 9,324,869 | 1,319,847 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term borrowings |
200,000 | 419,950 | 59,440 | 277,465 | 39,273 | 277,465 | 39,273 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term borrowings |
1,000,000 | 1,690,000 | 239,204 | 1,689,980 | 239,201 | 1,689,980 | 239,201 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities |
637,015 | 897,091 | 126,978 | 389,430 | 55,120 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
2,878,940 | 6,388,317 | 904,211 | 6,650,810 | 941,359 | 6,261,380 | 886,239 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total mezzanine equity |
6,979,473 | 9,693,478 | 1,372,022 | 11,598,502 | 1,641,661 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total shareholders (deficit) |
(2,185,225 | ) | (6,830,430 | ) | (966,784 | ) | (8,924,443 | ) | (1,263,173 | ) | 3,063,489 | 433,608 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share capital |
21 | 21 | 3 | 21 | 3 | 63 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total shares outstanding |
349,414,050 | 362,747,375 | 362,747,375 | 362,747,375 | 362,747,375 | 931,506,945 | 931,506,945 |
Notes:
(1) | The consolidated balance sheets data as of June 30, 2020 are presented on a pro forma basis to reflect (i) the automatic conversion of 80,546,975 preferred shares outstanding as of June 30, 2020 into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; and (ii) the automatic conversion of 488,212,595 remaining preferred shares outstanding as of June 30, 2020 into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering. |
(2) | The consolidated balance sheets data as of June 30, 2020 are presented on a pro forma as adjusted basis to reflect (i) the issuance of 207,588,515 Series C preferred shares in the third quarter of 2020; (ii) the automatic conversion of 98,611,761 preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; (iii) the automatic conversion of 703,121,624 remaining preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; and (iv) the issuance and sale of the Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs offered hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming no exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional ADSs. |
14
Summary Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data
Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Flow Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(1,572,715 | ) | (3,562,765 | ) | (504,274 | ) | (1,574,894 | ) | (1,212,667 | ) | (171,643 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
(3,630,324 | ) | 740,296 | 104,781 | 148,207 | (165,240 | ) | (23,389 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
6,734,200 | 3,593,562 | 508,635 | 1,906,800 | 868,329 | 122,904 | ||||||||||||||||||
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
(14,782 | ) | 5,125 | 725 | (9,134 | ) | (2,857 | ) | (403 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the year/period |
115,146 | 1,631,525 | 230,927 | 1,631,525 | 2,407,743 | 340,794 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the year/period |
1,631,525 | 2,407,743 | 340,794 | 2,102,504 | 1,895,308 | 268,263 |
15
An investment in the ADSs involves significant risks. You should carefully consider all the information in this prospectus, including the risks and uncertainties described below, before making an investment in the ADSs. Any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay dividends. In any such case, the market price of the ADSs could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
We have a limited operating history and face significant challenges as a new entrant into our industry.
We began our operations in 2015 and have a limited operating history. We have limited history in most aspects of our business operations, including designing, testing, manufacturing, marketing and selling our Smart EVs, as well as offering our services. We started production of our first mass-produced Smart EV, the G3, in November 2018. We recently constructed a manufacturing plant in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province, and the plant is the first manufacturing facility owned by us. We started production of our second mass-produced Smart EV, the P7, at the Zhaoqing plant in May 2020.
You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and challenges we face as a new entrant into our industry, including, among other things, with respect to our ability to:
| design and produce safe, reliable and quality vehicles on an ongoing basis; |
| build a well-recognized and respected brand; |
| expand our customer base; |
| properly price our products and services; |
| advance our technological capabilities in key areas, such as autonomous driving, intelligent operating system, electric powertrain and E/E architecture; |
| successfully market our Smart EVs and our services, including our advanced autonomous driving system and various value-added services, such as insurance agency service and automotive loan referral; |
| improve operating efficiency and economies of scale; |
| operate our manufacturing plant in a safe and cost-efficient manner; |
| attract, retain and motivate our employees; |
| anticipate and adapt to changing market conditions, including changes in consumer preferences and competitive landscape; and |
| navigate a complex and evolving regulatory environment. |
If we fail to address any or all of these risks and challenges, our business may be materially and adversely affected. Our Smart EVs are highly technical products that require ongoing maintenance and support. As a result, consumers will be less likely to purchase our Smart EVs now if they are not convinced that our business will succeed or that our operations will continue for many years. Similarly, suppliers and other third parties will be less likely to invest time and resources in developing business relationships with us if they are not convinced that our business will succeed.
16
As we continue to grow, we may not be able to effectively manage our growth, which could negatively impact our brand and financial performance.
We have experienced significant growth in the past several years. We plan to further grow our business by, among other things, investing in technology, expanding our product portfolio, strengthening our brand recognition, expanding our sales and marketing network and service offerings. Our future operating results will depend to a large extent on our ability to manage our expansion and growth successfully.
Risks that we face in undertaking this expansion include, among others:
| managing a larger organization with a greater number of employees in different divisions; |
| controlling expenses and investments in anticipation of expanded operations; |
| establishing or expanding design, manufacturing, sales and service facilities; |
| implementing and enhancing administrative infrastructure, systems and processes; and |
| executing our strategies and business initiatives successfully. |
Any failure to manage our growth effectively could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
Our research and development efforts may not yield expected results.
Technological innovation is critical to our success, and we strategically develop most of key technologies in-house, such as autonomous driving, intelligent operating system, powertrain and E/E architecture. We have been investing heavily on our research and development efforts. In 2018, 2019 and six months ended June 30, 2020, our research and development expenses amounted to RMB1,051.2 million, RMB2,070.2 million (US$293.0 million) and RMB630.6 million (US$89.3 million), respectively. Our research and development expenses accounted for 89.2% and 62.9% of our total revenues for 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. The EV industry is experiencing rapid technological changes, and we need to invest significant resources in research and development to lead technological advances in order to remain competitive in the market. Therefore, we expect that our research and development expenses will continue to be significant. Furthermore, research and development activities are inherently uncertain, and there can be no assurance that we will continue to achieve technological breakthroughs and successfully commercialize such breakthroughs. As a result, our significant expenditures on research and development may not generate corresponding benefits. If our research and development efforts fail to keep up with the latest technological developments, we would suffer a decline in our competitive position. For example, we believe autonomous driving is a key factor that differentiates our Smart EVs from competing products, and we have dedicated significant research and development efforts in this area. We plan to roll out XPILOT 3.0 by early 2021. One of the features of XPILOT 3.0 is a navigation guided pilot for highway driving. Any delay in the roll out of XPILOT 3.0 or other setbacks in our efforts to improve autonomous driving capabilities could materially and adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations and prospects.
Besides our in-house expertise, we also rely on certain technologies of our suppliers to enhance the performance of our Smart EVs. In particular, we do not manufacture battery cells or semiconductors, which makes us dependent upon suppliers for the relevant technologies. As technologies change, we plan to upgrade our existing models and introduce new models in order to provide Smart EVs with the latest technologies, including battery cells and semiconductors, which could involve substantial costs and lower our return on investment for existing models. There can be no assurance that we will be able to equip our Smart EVs with the latest technologies. Even if we are able to keep pace with changes in technologies and develop new models, our prior models could become obsolete more quickly than expected, potentially reducing our return on investment.
17
If our Smart EVs, including software systems, fail to offer a good mobility experience and meet customer expectations, our business, results of operations and reputation would be materially and adversely affected.
We tailor our Smart EVs for Chinas technology-savvy middle class consumers. Our Smart EVs offer smart technology functions, including autonomous driving and smart connectivity, to make the mobility experience more convenient. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to enhance such smart technology functions and make them more valuable to our customers. In the design process, we pay close attention to the preferences of our target customers. For example, our proprietary autonomous driving system is also customized for driving behavior and road conditions in China. However, there can be no assurance that we are able to accurately identify consumer preferences and effectively address such preferences in our Smart EVs design. Furthermore, the driving experience of a Smart EV is different from that of an ICE vehicle, and our customers may experience difficulties in adapting to the driving experience of a Smart EV. As consumer preferences are constantly evolving, we may fail to introduce desirable product features in a timely manner.
Our Smart EVs may contain defects in design or manufacturing that cause them not to perform as expected or that require repair, and certain features of our Smart EVs, such as XPILOT 3.0, may take longer than expected to become enabled. For example, the operation of our Smart EVs is highly dependent on our proprietary software, such as XPILOT and Xmart OS, which is inherently complex. These software systems may contain latent defects and errors or be subject to external attacks. Although we attempt to remedy any issues we observe in our Smart EVs as effectively and rapidly as possible, such efforts may not be timely or may not be to the satisfaction of our customers. Furthermore, while we have performed extensive internal testing on the Smart EVs we manufacture, we currently have a limited frame of reference by which to evaluate detailed long-term quality, reliability, durability and performance characteristics of our Smart EVs. We cannot assure you that our Smart EVs are free of defects, which may manifest over time. Product defects, delays or other failures of our products to perform as expected could damage our reputation and result in product recalls, product liability claims and/or significant warranty and other expenses, and could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.
We have only recently started to generate revenues and have incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operating activities, all of which may continue in the future.
We have only recently started to generate revenues and have not been profitable since our inception. The design, manufacture, sale and servicing of Smart EVs is a capital intensive business. We have been incurring losses from operations and had negative cash flows from operating activities since inception. We incurred net losses of RMB1,398.8 million, RMB3,691.7 million (US$522.5 million) and RMB795.8 million (US$112.6 million) for 2018, 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was RMB1,572.7 million, RMB3,562.8 million (US$504.3 million) and RMB1,212.7 million (US$171.6 million) for 2018, 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. We have made significant up-front investments in research and development, our manufacturing facility in Zhaoqing, our sales and service network, as well as marketing and advertising, to rapidly develop and expand our business. We expect to continue to invest significantly in these areas to further expand our business, and there can be no assurance that we will successfully execute our business strategies. We may not generate sufficient revenues for a number of reasons, including lack of demand for our Smart EVs and services, increasing competition, challenging macro-economic environment due to the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as other risks discussed herein. Our ability to become profitable in the future will not only depend on our efforts to sell our Smart EVs and services but also to control our costs. If we are unable to adequately control the costs associated with our operations, we may continue to experience losses and negative cash flows from operating activities in the future.
We expect our existing cash and cash equivalents and the net proceeds we expect to receive from this offering will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements, including capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business for the next 12 months. However, we may need additional capital resources in the future if we experience changes in business condition or other unanticipated developments, or if we wish to
18
pursue opportunities for investments, acquisitions, capital expenditures or similar actions. In addition, we have not recorded net income or positive cash flows from operating activities. As such, we may continue to rely on equity or debt financing to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements. If we were unable to obtain such financing in a timely manner or on terms that are acceptable, or at all, we may fail to implement our business plans or experience disruptions in our operating activities, and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
We may be subject to risks associated with autonomous driving technologies.
Through XPILOT 2.5, we have greatly enhanced the autonomous driving capabilities of our Smart EVs. To capitalize on our in-house research and development capabilities, we will continue to upgrade our autonomous driving technologies, and we plan to roll out XPILOT 3.0 by early 2021. Autonomous driving technologies are subject to risks and from time to time there have been accidents associated with such technologies. Although we attempt to remedy any issues we observe in our Smart EVs as effectively and rapidly as possible, such efforts may not be timely, may hamper production or may not be to the satisfaction of our customers. Moreover, autonomous driving technology is still evolving and is yet to achieve wide market acceptance. The safety of autonomous driving technologies depends in part on driver interaction, and drivers may not be accustomed to using such technologies. To the extent accidents associated with our autonomous driving systems occur, we could be subject to liability, government scrutiny and further regulation. Furthermore, accidents or defects caused by third parties autonomous driving technology may negatively affect public perception, or result in regulatory restrictions, with respect to autonomous driving technology.
Our autonomous driving technologies may be affected by regulatory restrictions. For example, our research and development activities on autonomous driving are subject to regulatory restrictions on surveying and mapping, as well as driverless road testing. Any tightening of regulatory restrictions could have a material adverse impact on our development of autonomous driving technology.
Chinas passenger vehicle market is highly competitive, and demand for EVs may be cyclical and volatile.
Chinas passenger vehicle market is large yet competitive, and we have strategically focused on offering Smart EVs for the mid- to high-end segment. We directly compete with other pure-play EV companies, especially those targeting the mid- to high-end segment. To a lesser extent, our Smart EVs also compete with NEVs and ICE vehicles in the mid- to high-end segment offered by traditional OEMs. We may also in the future face competition from new entrants that will increase the level of competition. Many of our current and potential competitors, particularly international competitors, have more financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing and other resources than we do, and may be able to devote significant resources to the design, development, manufacturing, distribution, promotion, sale and support of their products.
We expect competition in our industry to intensify in the future in light of increased demand and regulatory push for alternative fuel vehicles, continuing globalization and consolidation in the worldwide automotive industry. Factors affecting competition include, among others, product quality and features, innovation and development time, pricing, reliability, safety, energy efficiency, customer service and financing terms. Increased competition may lead to lower vehicle unit sales and increased inventory, which may result in downward price pressure and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully. Our competitors may introduce new vehicles or services that surpass the quality or performance of our Smart EVs or services, which would adversely affect our competitive position in the market. They may also offer vehicles or services at more competitive prices, which would have an adverse impact on our sales and profitability. In addition, we may compete with state-own enterprises or companies that have received investments or other forms of support from state-owned enterprises or other government entities, and such competitors may therefore possess more resources than us.
In addition, volatility in the automobile industry may materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. The sales volume of EVs in the mid- to high-end segment in
19
China may not grow at the rate that we expect, or at all. Demand for EVs depends to a large extent on general, economic, political and social conditions in a given market and the introduction of new vehicles and technologies. As a new entrant to the EV market, we have less financial resources than more established OEMs to withstand changes in the market and disruptions in demand. Demand for our Smart EVs may also be affected by factors directly impacting automobile price or the cost of purchasing and operating automobiles, such as sales and financing incentives, prices of raw materials and components, cost of oil and gasoline and governmental regulations, including tariffs, import regulation and sales taxes. Volatility in demand may lead to lower vehicle unit sales and increased inventory, which may result in further downward price pressure and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. These effects may have a more pronounced impact on our business given our relatively smaller scale and less financial resources as compared to many traditional OEMs.
The unavailability, reduction or elimination of government and economic incentives or government policies that are favorable for NEVs and domestically produced vehicles could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business has benefited from government subsidies, economic incentives and government policies that support the growth of NEVs. For example, each qualified purchaser of our Smart EVs enjoys subsidies from Chinas central government and certain local governments. Furthermore, in certain cities, quotas that limit the purchase of ICE vehicles do not apply to EVs, thereby incentivizing customers to purchase EVs. In April 2020, the Ministry of Finance of the PRC, together with several other PRC government departments, issued the Announcement on Policies concerning the Exemption of New Energy Vehicles from Vehicle Purchase Tax, and the Circular on Improving the Fiscal Subsidy Policies for the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles, or the 2020 Subsidy Circular, which extended certain subsidies and tax exemptions on EV purchases to the end of 2022. Chinas central government also provides certain local governments with funds and subsidies to support the roll out of a charging infrastructure. These policies are subject to certain limits as well as changes that are beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that future changes, if any, would be favorable to our business. For instance, according to the 2020 Subsidy Circular, in principle, the subsidies for NEV purchases from 2020 to 2022 will generally be lowered by 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively, based on the level of the previous year with limited exceptions in the area of public transport, and the total number of NEVs in China that will be entitled to such subsidies should be no more than two million each year. Furthermore, we have received subsidies from certain local governments. Any reduction or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives because of policy changes, fiscal tightening or other factors may result in the diminished competitiveness of the EV industry generally or our Smart EVs in particular. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may also face increased competition from foreign OEMs due to changes in government policies. For example, the tariff on imported passenger vehicles (other than those originating in the United States of America) was reduced to 15% starting from July 1, 2018. On June 23, 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC, and the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM, promulgated the Special Administrative Measures for Market Access of Foreign Investment, or the 2020 Negative List, effective on July 23, 2020, under which there is no limit on foreign ownership of NEV manufacturers. As a result, foreign EV competitors could build wholly-owned facilities in China without the need for a domestic joint venture partner. For example, Tesla has constructed the Tesla Giga Shanghai factory in Shanghai without a joint venture partner. These changes could increase our competition and reduce our pricing advantage.
The COVID-19 outbreak has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our results of operations.
During January 2020, a strain of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China. In an effort to halt the outbreak, the PRC government placed significant restrictions on travel within China and closed certain businesses, and governments outside of China have halted or sharply curtailed
20
the movement of people, goods and services to and from China. Moreover, the COVID-19 outbreak has become a global pandemic and affected regions outside of China, such as Europe and North America. We are headquartered in Guangzhou, and we market and sell our Smart EVs to consumers in China. Our production facilities and most of our key suppliers are located in China, and some of our suppliers of automobile parts are located in North America. In addition, a significant portion of our research and development staff is based in the United States. If the COVID-19 outbreak continues for an extended period or worsens, it could materially and adversely impact our supply chain, technology development, sales and other aspects of our operations.
While we have resumed normal business operations, we have experienced certain disruptions in our operations as a result of the government imposed suspensions due to the COVID-19 outbreak in China. A substantial number of our offices and stores, as well as both of our manufacturing facilities, were closed for certain periods in February and March of 2020. As a result, our vehicle delivery decreased from 3,218 units in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 2,271 units in the first quarter of 2020. In particular, we delivered 1,055, 161 and 1,055 units of Smart EVs in January, February and March 2020, respectively, which were lower than our expectation before the COVID-19 outbreak. The sharp decrease in the number of deliveries in February 2020 was mainly due to the significant impact from COVID-19 outbreak in China and seasonal impact from the Chinese New Year holiday. In the second quarter of 2020, we delivered 3,228 units of Smart EVs. Furthermore, while the outbreak has not materially and adversely affected our supply chain as of the date hereof due to our advanced planning and effective supplier management, it has affected and may affect future delivery of components from certain suppliers that suspended production. For example, some of our suppliers were unable to deliver sufficient components to us due to the COVID-19 outbreak and we had to switch to alternative suppliers. We cannot assure you that these alternative suppliers and our other suppliers will not suspend their operation or become unable to provide sufficient components to us in the future if impact from the COVID-19 outbreak continues or worsens. The resumption of their normal manufacturing operations will depend on the status of various government regulations and the readiness of such suppliers and their currently inactive workforce. See also We are dependent on our suppliers, some of which are single-source suppliers. Suppliers may fail to deliver necessary components of our Smart EVs according to our schedule and at prices, quality levels and volumes acceptable to us. In addition, we incurred additional costs relating to the delivery of new Smart EVs to customers homes, mask donations to our customers, technology advancement for remote working arrangements and OTA firmware updates.
Concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak and its potential impact on the Chinese and global economy have created uncertainty about the overall demand for automobile products, which could have negative implications for the demand of our Smart EVs. At this point, we cannot accurately predict what effects these conditions would have on our business, which will depend on, among other factors, the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the duration of the outbreak and the corresponding travel restrictions and business closures imposed by government authorities.
We depend on revenue generated from a limited number of vehicle models.
Our business initially depended substantially on the sales and success of the G3, which was our only mass-produced Smart EV in the market prior to May 2020. We started the production of our second mass-produced Smart EV, the P7, in May 2020. We plan to launch and start production of our third vehicle model, a smart electric sedan, in 2021. Historically, automobile customers have come to expect a variety of vehicle models offered in an OEMs fleet and new and improved vehicle models to be introduced frequently. In order to meet these expectations, we plan to launch a new model every year to enrich our product portfolio, as well as periodically introducing new versions of existing vehicle models. To the extent our product variety and cycles do not meet consumer expectations, or cannot be produced on our projected timelines and cost and volume targets, our future sales may be adversely affected. Given that for the foreseeable future our business will depend on a limited number of models, to the extent a particular model is not well-received by the market, our sales volume could be materially and adversely affected. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
21
Our business and prospects depend significantly on our ability to build our Xpeng brand. We may not succeed in continuing to maintain and strengthen the Xpeng brand, and our brand and reputation could be harmed by negative publicity regarding our company, products or services.
Our business and prospects are heavily dependent on our ability to develop, maintain and strengthen the Xpeng brand. If we do not continue to develop, maintain and strengthen our brand, we may lose the opportunity to build a critical mass of customers. Promoting and positioning our brand will likely depend significantly on our ability to provide high quality Smart EVs and services, and we have limited experience in these areas. In addition, we expect that our ability to develop, maintain and strengthen the Xpeng brand will depend heavily on the success of our sales and marketing efforts. For example, we seek to enhance our brand recognition by locating a substantial majority of our stores, including direct stores and franchised stores, in shopping malls in tier-one and tier-two cities. We also advertise our Smart EVs through various online channels, including several social media platforms and e-commerce platforms. While we seek to optimize resource allocation through careful selection of sales and marketing channels, such efforts may not achieve the desired results. To promote our brand, we may be required to change our branding practices, which could result in substantially increased expenses, including the need to utilize traditional media and offline advertising. If we do not develop and maintain a strong brand, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results will be materially and adversely impacted.
If incidents occur or are perceived to have occurred, whether or not such incidents are our fault, we could be subject to adverse publicity. In particular, given the popularity of social media in China, any negative publicity, whether true or not, could quickly proliferate and harm consumer perceptions and confidence in our brand. In addition, from time to time, our Smart EVs are evaluated and reviewed by third parties. Any negative reviews or reviews which compare us unfavorably to competitors could adversely affect consumer perception about our Smart EVs.
We are dependent upon our relationship with Haima for the manufacturing of the G3, and we may utilize the Haima plant to produce other models in the future.
In March 2017, we entered into a contract manufacturing arrangement with Haima Automobile Co., Ltd., or Haima, a China-based automotive manufacturer, for the manufacturing of our vehicles. The agreements relating to this arrangement will expire on December 31, 2021 and are renewable by mutual consent. Haima has over three decades of automotive manufacturing experience, and it has provided a plant in Zhengzhou for the manufacturing of the G3. We also have the option to utilize the Haima plant to produce other models in the future.
While we take comprehensive measures to ensure that Haima manufactures our Smart EVs in accordance with our standards, there can be no assurance that such measures will be effective. Collaboration with a third party for the manufacturing of vehicles is subject to risks with respect to operations over which we have limited control. We could experience delays to the extent Haima do not meet agreed upon timelines or experience capacity constraints as well as quality issues. There is risk of potential disputes with Haima, and we could be affected by adverse publicity related to Haima, whether or not such publicity is related to its collaboration with us. Our ability to successfully build our brand could also be adversely affected by perceptions about the quality of Haimas vehicles. In addition, although we are closely involved in each step of the supply chain and manufacturing process, given that we also rely on Haima to meet our quality standards, there can be no assurance that we will successfully maintain quality standards of the Smart EVs produced at the Haima plant.
We may be unable to enter into new agreements or extend existing agreements with Haima on terms and conditions acceptable to us and therefore may need to contract with other third parties or significantly add to our own production capacity. There can be no assurance that in such event we would be able to partner with other third parties or expand our own production capacity to meet our needs on acceptable terms or at all. The expense and time required to complete any transition and to assure that vehicles manufactured at facilities of new third-
22
party partners comply with our quality standards and regulatory requirements may be greater than anticipated. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Any problems or delays in ramping and maintaining operations of the Zhaoqing plant could negatively affect the production of our Smart EVs.
To exercise direct control over product quality and gain more flexibility in adjusting our manufacturing process and production capacity, we built our own plant in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province. The Zhaoqing plant is initially utilized for production of the P7 and will also be utilized for future models. Our future operation and prospects depend on the successful ramping and maintaining of operation in the Zhaoqing plant. In addition, we need to effectively control cost of production at the Zhaoqing plant. While we intend to utilize the manufacturing know-how accumulated through our collaboration with Haima, we do not have other direct experience in the production of Smart EVs. Given the size and complexity of this undertaking, it is possible that we may experience issue, delays or cost overruns in further expanding the production output at the Zhaoqing plant. If we experience any issues or delays in meeting our projected timelines, costs, capital efficiency and production capacity for our Zhaoqing plant, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could be adversely impacted.
We are dependent on our suppliers, some of which are single-source suppliers. Suppliers may fail to deliver necessary components of our Smart EVs according to our schedule and at prices, quality levels and volumes acceptable to us.
We procure components from both domestic suppliers and global suppliers, some of which are currently our single-source suppliers for certain components. We attempt to mitigate our supply chain risk by qualifying and obtaining components from multiple sources where practicable and maintaining safety stock for certain key components and components with lengthy procurement lead times. For example, some of our suppliers were unable to deliver sufficient components to us due to the COVID-19 outbreak and we had to switch to alternative suppliers. See The COVID-19 outbreak has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our results of operations. However, we may still experience component shortages for our production or the components may not meet our specifications or quality needs. Furthermore, qualifying alternative suppliers or developing our own replacements for certain highly customized components of our Smart EVs may be time consuming and costly. Any disruption in the supply of components, whether or not from a single-source supplier, could temporarily disrupt production of our Smart EVs until an alternative supplier is fully qualified by us or we are able to procure the relevant components in sufficient quantities from other existing suppliers. For example, we do not manufacture certain key hardware components for our autonomous driving system, such as semiconductors, millimeter-wave radars, ultrasonic sensors and cameras, and we import certain of such components from foreign countries. The loss of any supplier for any reason, including any export control measures adopted by any foreign country to limit the import of supplies into China, could lead to vehicle design changes, production delays and potential loss of access to important technologies, any of which could result in quality issues, delays and disruptions in deliveries, negative publicity and damage to our brand. In addition, our suppliers may fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, or they may be involved in product liability claims or incidents of negative publicity. If any of these incidents occur, customers may also lose confidence in our Smart EVs that incorporate components from the relevant suppliers, and our reputation, business and results of operations could be adversely affected. Developments that we cannot presently anticipate, such as changes in business conditions or government policies, natural disasters or epidemics, could also affect our suppliers ability to deliver components to us in a timely manner.
Any significant increases in our production, such as the launch of a new model, has required and may in the future require us to procure additional components in a short amount of time. Our suppliers may not ultimately be able to sustainably and timely meet our cost, quality and volume needs, requiring us to replace them with other sources. While we believe that we will be able to secure additional or alternative sources of supply for most of our components in a relatively short time frame, there is no assurance that we will be able to do so or develop
23
our own replacements for certain highly customized components. Additionally, we continuously negotiate with existing suppliers to obtain cost reductions and avoid unfavorable changes to terms, seek new and less expensive suppliers for certain parts, and attempt to redesign certain parts to make them less expensive to produce. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to control and reduce supplier costs, our operating results will suffer.
Furthermore, as the scale of our vehicle production increases, we will need to accurately forecast, purchase, warehouse and transport components to the relevant manufacturing facilities and service stores and at much higher volumes. If we are unable to accurately match the timing and quantities of component purchases to our actual needs or successfully implement automation, inventory management and other systems to accommodate the increased complexity in our supply chain, we may incur unexpected production disruption, as well as storage, transportation and write-off costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.
Increases in costs, disruption of supply or shortage of components and materials could have a material adverse impact on our business.
We incur significant costs related to procuring components and raw materials required to manufacture our Smart EVs. We may experience cost increases, supply interruption and/or shortages relating to components and raw materials, which could materially and adversely impact our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. We use various components and raw materials in our business, such as steel, aluminum, as well as lithium battery cells. The prices for these materials fluctuate, and their available supply may be unstable, depending on market conditions and global demand for these materials, including as a result of increased production of EVs by our competitors, and could adversely affect our business and operating results.
For instance, we are exposed to multiple risks relating to lithium battery cells. These risks include:
| an increase in the cost, or decrease in the available supply, of materials used in the battery cells, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese; |
| disruption in the supply of battery cells due to quality issues or recalls by battery cell manufacturers; and |
| the inability or unwillingness of our current battery cell manufacturers to build or operate battery cell manufacturing plants to supply the numbers of lithium cells required to support the growth of the EV industry as demand for such battery cells increases. |
Our business is dependent on the continued supply of battery cells for the battery packs used in our Smart EVs. While we believe several sources of the battery cells are available for such battery packs, we have to date fully qualified only a very limited number of suppliers for the battery cells used in such battery packs and have very limited flexibility in changing battery cell suppliers. Any disruption in the supply of battery cells from such suppliers could disrupt production of our Smart EVs until such time as a different supplier is fully qualified. There can be no assurance that we would be able to successfully retain alternative suppliers on a timely basis, on acceptable terms or at all.
Furthermore, tariffs or shortages in petroleum and other economic conditions may result in significant increases in freight charges and material costs. In addition, a growth in popularity of EVs without a significant expansion in battery cell production capacity could result in shortages which would result in increased materials costs to us or impact our prospects. Substantial increases in the prices for our raw materials or components would increase our operating costs, and could reduce our margins if we cannot recoup the increased costs through increased vehicle prices. Any attempts to increase product prices in response to increased material costs could result in decrease in sales and therefore materially and adversely affect our brand, image, business, prospects and operating results.
24
Any delays in the manufacturing and launch of the commercial production vehicles in our pipeline could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We started the production of our first mass-produced Smart EV, the G3, in November 2018 and our second mass-produced Smart EV, the P7, in May 2020. We plan to launch and start production of our third vehicle model, a smart electric sedan, in 2021. We plan to launch a new model every year to enrich our product portfolio and offer customers more selections. OEMs often experience delays in the design, manufacture and commercial release of new vehicle models. To the extent we need to delay the launch of our Smart EVs, our growth prospects could be adversely affected as we may fail to grow our market share. We also plan to periodically perform facelifts or refresh existing models, which could also be subject to delays. Furthermore, we rely on third-party suppliers for the provision and development of many of the key components used in our Smart EVs. To the extent our suppliers experience any delays in providing us with or developing necessary components or experience quality issues, we could experience delays in delivering on our timelines. Any delay in the manufacture and launch of our third model or future models, including in the ramp up of our Zhaoqing plant or due to any other factors, or in performing facelifts to existing models, could lead to customer dissatisfaction and materially and adversely affect our reputation, demand for our Smart EVs, results of operations and growth prospects.
We may not be able to expand our physical sales and service network cost-efficiently, and our franchise model is subject to a number of risks.
As of June 30, 2020, our physical sales and service network consisted of 44 direct stores and 103 franchised stores. We plan to further expand our physical sales and service network through a balanced combination of direct stores and franchised stores. This planned expansion may not have the desired effect of increasing sales and enhancing our brand recognition in a cost-efficient manner. We may need to invest significant capital and management resources to operate existing direct stores and open new ones, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to improve the operational efficiency of our direct stores.
While our franchise model enables us to pursue an asset-light expansion strategy, such model is also subject to a number of risks. We may not be able to identify, attract and retain a sufficient number of franchisees with the requisite experience and resources to operate franchised stores. Our franchisees are responsible for the day-to-day operation of their stores. Although we offer the same trainings and implement the same service standards for staff from both direct stores and franchised stores, we have limited control over how our franchisees businesses are run. If our franchisees fail to deliver high quality customer service and resolve customer complaints in a timely manner, or if any of their misconduct leads to damages to our brand image and reputation, our business could be adversely affected. In addition, our agreements with certain of our franchisees are non-exclusive. While they are required to only sell our Smart EVs in the Xpeng-branded franchised stores, they may operate other stores that sell vehicles of other brands. These franchisees may dedicate more resources to the stores outside of our sales network and may not be able to successfully implement our sales and marketing initiatives, which in turn may harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation.
If we are unable to provide quality services, our business and reputation may be materially and adversely affected.
We aim to provide consumers with a good customer service experience, including providing our customers with access to a comprehensive suite of charging solutions, after-sales services and value-added services, as well as software subscriptions. Our services may fail to meet our customers expectations, which could adversely affect our business, reputation and results of operations. Furthermore, we plan to roll out a vehicle software subscription model, which may not achieve wide customer acceptance. We also plan to expand our subscription offerings to include other premium features in the future. If we fail to receive the expected number of orders for such subscriptions, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
25
Offline after-sale services are primarily carried out by franchised service stores. We and our franchisees have limited experience in servicing our Smart EVs. Servicing EV is different from servicing ICE vehicles and requires specialized skills, including high voltage training and servicing techniques. There can be no assurance that our after-sale service arrangements will adequately address the service requirements of our customers to their satisfaction, or that we and our franchisees will have sufficient resources to meet these service requirements in a timely manner as the volume of vehicles we deliver increases. Moreover, we provide value-added services, including insurance agency service, automotive loan referral, finance lease, in-car payment and ride-hailing, and we may expand our value-added services in the future. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully monetize our value-added services. In addition, we are subject to certain risks relating to our ride hailing service. For example, the drivers may be involved in accidents or misconducts, which could result in personal injuries, property damage or other harms for passengers and third parties, as well as reputational damage and significant liabilities for us.
In addition, we seek to engage with our customers on an ongoing basis using online and offline channels. If we are unable to roll out and establish a broad service network covering both online and offline channels, consumer experience could be adversely affected, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our sales, results of operations and prospectus.
We may face challenges in providing charging solutions.
We have marketed our ability to provide our customers a convenient charging experience. We offer installation of home chargers for our customers. Customers may also charge through Xpeng-branded super charging stations and third-party charging piles. We plan to expand our charging network primarily by partnering with third parties. As of June 30, 2020, we offer a charging network that is connected to over 200,000 third-party charging piles across China. There can be no assurance that our partners will continue to expand their charging facilities, or that such partners will continue their cooperation on terms acceptable to us, or at all. As a result, we may need to invest significant capital to establish and operate more Xpeng-branded super charging stations and/or engage additional franchisees to operate such stations. In addition, the installation of home chargers is handled by third-party service providers, and their service may not meet our customers expectations. To the extent we or the relevant third parties are unable to meet customer expectations or experience difficulties in providing charging solutions, our reputation and business may be materially and adversely affected.
The range of our Smart EVs on a single charge declines over time which may negatively influence potential customers decisions whether to purchase our Smart EVs.
The range of our Smart EVs on a single charge declines principally as a function of usage, time and charging patterns as well as other factors. For example, a customers use of his or her Smart EV as well as the frequency with which the battery is charged can result in additional deterioration of the batterys ability to hold a charge. Battery deterioration and the related decrease in range may negatively influence potential customer decisions whether to purchase our Smart EVs, which may adversely affect our ability to market and sell our Smart EVs. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to improve cycle performance of our battery packs in the future.
Our business plans require a significant amount of capital. In addition, our future capital needs may require us to sell additional equity or debt securities that may dilute our shareholders or introduce covenants that may restrict our operations or our ability to pay dividends.
We will need significant capital to, among other things, conduct research and development, ramping up our production capacity and expand our sales and service network. As we ramp up our production capacity and operations, we may also require significant capital to maintain our property, plant and equipment and such costs may be greater than anticipated. We expect that our level of capital expenditures will be significantly affected by user demand for our Smart EVs and services. Given we have a limited operating history, we have limited
26
historical data on the demand for our Smart EVs and services. As a result, our future capital requirements may be uncertain and actual capital requirements may be different from those we currently anticipate. We plan to seek equity or debt financing to finance a portion of our capital expenditures. Such financing might not be available to us in a timely manner or on terms that are acceptable, or at all.
Our ability to obtain the necessary financing to carry out our business plan is subject to a number of factors, including general market conditions and investor acceptance of our business plan. These factors may make the timing, amount, terms and conditions of such financing unattractive or unavailable to us. In particular, recent disruptions in the financial markets and volatile economic conditions could affect our ability to raise capital. If we are unable to raise sufficient funds, we will have to significantly reduce our spending or delay or cancel our planned activities. In addition, our future capital needs and other business reasons could require us to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity or equity-linked securities could dilute our shareholders. We may also raise equity financing through one or more of our operating subsidiaries in the PRC. As a result, our net loss or net income would be partially attributable to the investors of such operating subsidiaries, which would affect net loss or net income attributable to shareholders of XPeng Inc. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations. Any financial or other restrictive covenants would restrict our operations or our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.
Our industry is rapidly evolving and may be subject to unforeseen changes. Developments in alternative technologies or improvements in the ICE may materially and adversely affect the demand for our Smart EVs.
We operate in Chinas EV market, which is rapidly evolving and may not develop as we anticipate. The regulatory framework governing the industry is currently uncertain and may remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. As our industry and our business develop, we may need to modify our business model or change our products and services. These changes may not achieve expected results, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and prospects.
Developments in alternative technologies, such as advanced diesel, ethanol, fuel cells or compressed natural gas, or improvements in the fuel economy of the internal combustion engine, may materially and adversely affect our business and prospects in ways we do not currently anticipate. In addition, a sustained depression of petroleum price could make the ownership of ICE vehicles more attractive to consumers. Any failure by us to successfully react to changes in alternative technologies and market conditions could materially harm our competitive position and growth prospects.
Our future growth is dependent upon consumers willingness to adopt EVs and specifically our Smart EVs.
The demand for our Smart EVs and services will highly depend upon the adoption by consumers of NEVs in general and EVs in particular. The market for NEVs is still rapidly evolving, characterized by rapidly changing technologies, prices and the competitive landscape, evolving government regulation and industry standards and changing consumer demands and behaviors.
Other factors that may influence the adoption of NEVs, and specifically EVs, include:
| perceptions about EV quality, safety, design, performance and cost, especially if adverse events or accidents occur that are linked to the quality or safety of EVs, whether or not such vehicles are produced by us or other OEMs; |
| perceptions about vehicle safety in general, in particular safety issues that may be attributed to the use of advanced technologies, such as autonomous driving and lithium battery cells; |
| the limited range over which EVs may be driven on a single battery charge and the speed at which batteries can be charged; |
| the decline of an EVs range resulting from deterioration over time in the batterys ability to hold a charge; |
27
| the availability of other types of NEVs, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles; |
| improvements in the fuel economy of the internal combustion engine; |
| the availability of after-sales service for EVs; |
| the environmental consciousness of consumers; |
| access to charging stations, standardization of EV charging systems and consumers perceptions about convenience and cost for charging an EV; |
| the availability of tax and other governmental incentives to purchase and operate EVs or future regulation requiring increased use of nonpolluting vehicles; |
| perceptions about and the actual cost of alternative fuel; and |
| macroeconomic factors. |
Any of the factors described above may cause current or potential customers not to purchase our Smart EVs and use our services. If the market for EVs does not develop as we expect or develops more slowly than we expect, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results will be affected.
Our financial results may vary significantly from period to period due to the seasonality of our business and fluctuations in our operating costs.
Our operating results may vary significantly from period to period due to many factors, including seasonal factors that may have an effect on the demand for our Smart EVs. Demand for new cars typically decline over the winter season and during the Chinese New Year holiday, while sales are generally higher in September and October. Our limited operating history makes it difficult for us to judge the exact nature or extent of the seasonality of our business. We may record significant increase in revenues when we commence mass delivery of a new product to fulfill customer orders accumulated in prior periods, but we may not be able to maintain our revenue at similar levels in subsequent periods. Also, any health pandemic or epidemics such as the COVID-19 outbreak and natural disasters such as unusually severe weather conditions in some markets may impact demand for, and our ability to manufacture and deliver, our Smart EVs. Our operating results could also suffer if we do not achieve revenue consistent with our expectations for this seasonal demand because many of our expenses are based on anticipated levels of annual revenue.
We also expect our period-to-period operating results to vary based on our operating costs, which we anticipate will increase significantly in future periods as we, among other things, design and develop new models, develop new technological capabilities, ramp up our manufacturing facilities and expand our physical sales network, as well as expanding our general and administrative functions to support our growing operations. We may incur substantial research and development and/or selling expenses when we develop and/or promote a new product in a given period without generating any revenue from such product until we start delivery of such products to customers in future periods. As a result of these factors, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily meaningful and that these comparisons may not be indicative of future performance. Moreover, our operating results may not meet expectations of equity research analysts or investors. If this occurs, the trading price of our ADSs could fall substantially either suddenly or over time.
If we fail to effectively manage the credit risks related to our finance lease program, our business may be adversely affected.
We cooperate with banks and connect them with customers who seek automotive financing solutions. We believe the availability of financing options is important to our customers. If affordable automotive financing solutions are not available for our customers, we may not be able to grow our sales. To complement the banks services, we also offer finance leases to our customers through a wholly-owned subsidiary, and we record the
28
relevant finance leases on our balance sheet. As of June 30, 2020, the amount of finance lease receivables was RMB167.0 million (US$23.6 million). As we continue to grow our business, we may increase the amount of finance leases we offer. We may not be able to obtain adequate funding for our finance lease program. We may also fail to effectively manage the credit risks related to our finance lease program, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if we do not successfully monitor and comply with applicable national and/or local financial regulations and consumer protection laws governing finance lease transactions, we may become subject to enforcement actions or penalties, which would adversely affect our business.
Any cyber-attacks, unauthorized access or control of our Smart EVs systems could result in loss of confidence in us and our Smart EVs and harm our business.
Our Smart EVs contain complex information technology systems to support smart technology functions and to accept and install periodic OTA firmware updates. We have designed, implemented and tested security measures intended to prevent unauthorized access to our information technology networks and our Smart EVs technology systems. However, hackers may attempt to gain unauthorized access to modify, alter and use such networks and systems. We encourage reporting of potential vulnerabilities in the security of our Smart EVs, and we aim to remedy any reported and verified vulnerability. However, there can be no assurance that vulnerabilities will not be exploited in the future before they can be identified, or that our remediation efforts are or will be successful. Any cyber-attacks, unauthorized access, disruption, damage or control of our information technology networks or our Smart EVs systems or any loss or leakage of data or information stored in our systems could result in legal claims or proceedings. In addition, regardless of their veracity, reports of cyber-attacks to our information technology networks or our Smart EVs systems or data, as well as other factors that may result in the perception that our information technology networks or our Smart EVs systems or data are vulnerable to hacking, could negatively affect our brand and harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation.
Actual or alleged failure to comply with data privacy and protection laws and regulations could damage our reputation, and discourage consumers from purchasing our Smart EVs.
We are subject to various data privacy and protection laws and regulations in China, including, without limitation, the PRC Cyber Security Law. Pursuant to these laws and regulations, a service provider is required to obtain a users consent to collect the users personal information. See RegulationsRegulation Related to Internet Security and Privacy Protection.
We have adopted strict information security policies, and we use a variety of technologies to protect the data with which we are entrusted. We mainly collect and store data relating to the usage of our Smart EVs, the autonomous driving system and intelligent operating system, as well as data collected through our sales and services channels. To the extent we collect customer information, we obtain prior consent from our customers in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. We de-sensitize customer data by removing personally identifiable information, when such information is not relevant to our business. We then analyze such information to improve our technologies, products and services. We use a variety of technologies to protect the data with which we are entrusted. For further information, see BusinessData Privacy and Security.
Nevertheless, collection, use and transmission of customer data may subject us to legislative and regulatory burdens in China and other jurisdictions, which could, among other things, require notification of data breach, restrict our use of such information and hinder our ability to acquire new customers or serve existing customers. If we were found to be in violation of customers rights to data privacy, we could face administrative investigation, disciplinary actions, civil claims and reputational damage. We may incur significant expenses to comply with laws and regulations relating to data privacy, data security and consumer protection, as well as relevant industry standards and contractual obligations. If third parties improperly obtain and use the personal information of our customers, we may be required to expend significant resources to resolve such problems.
29
In addition, the interpretation and application of personal information protection laws and regulations and standards are still uncertain and evolving. We cannot assure you that relevant governmental authorities will not interpret or implement the laws or regulations in ways that negatively affect us. We may also become subject to additional or new laws and regulations regarding the protection of personal information or privacy-related matters in connection with our methods for data collection and storage. In addition to the regulatory requirements, consumer attitudes towards data privacy are also evolving, and consumer concerns about the extent to which their data is collected by us may adversely affect our ability to gain access to data and improve our technologies, products and services. Furthermore, the integrity of our data protection measures could be compromised by system failures, security breaches or cyber-attacks. If we are unable to comply with the applicable laws and regulations or effectively address data privacy and protection concerns, such actual or alleged failure could damage our reputation, discourage consumers from purchasing our Smart EVs and subject us to significant legal liabilities.
Interruption or failure of our information technology and communications systems could impact our ability to effectively provide our services.
We enable our customers to access a variety of features and services through our mobile apps. In addition, certain of Smart EVs features depend to a certain extent on connectivity to our information technology systems. As such, the availability and effectiveness of our services depend on the continued operation of our information technology and communications systems. Our systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from, among others, fire, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, power loss, telecommunications failures, computer viruses or other attempts to harm our systems. Our data centers are also subject to break-ins, sabotage, and intentional acts of vandalism, and to potential disruptions. Some of our systems are not fully redundant, and our disaster recovery planning cannot account for all eventualities. Any problems at our data centers could result in lengthy interruptions in our service. In addition, our products and services are highly technical and complex and may contain errors or vulnerabilities, which could result in interruptions in our services or the failure of our systems.
Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our executive officers, key employees and qualified personnel, and our operations may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.
Our success depends substantially on the continued efforts of our executive officers and key employees. If one or more of our executive officers or key employees were unable or unwilling to continue their services with us, we might not be able to replace them easily, in a timely manner, or at all. As we build our brand and become more well-known, the risk that competitors or other companies may poach our talent increases. Our industry is characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent and therefore we cannot assure you that we will be able to attract or retain qualified staff or other highly skilled employees. In addition, because our Smart EVs are based on a different technology platform than traditional ICE vehicles, individuals with sufficient training in Smart EVs may not be available to hire, and we will need to expend significant time and expense training the employees we hire. We also require sufficient talent in areas such as software development. Furthermore, as our company is relatively young, our ability to train and integrate new employees into our operations may not meet the growing demands of our business, which may materially and adversely affect our ability to grow our business and our results of operations.
If any of our executive officers and key employees terminates his or her services with us, our business may be severely disrupted, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected and we may incur additional expenses to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel. We have not obtained any key person insurance on our key personnel. If any of our executive officers or key employees joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose customers, know-how and key professionals and staff members. Each of our executive officers and key employees has entered into an employment agreement and a non-compete agreement with us. However, if any dispute arises between our executive officers or key employees and us, the non-competition provisions contained in their non-compete agreements may not be enforceable, especially in China, where these executive officers reside, on the ground that we have not provided adequate compensation to them for their non-competition obligations, which is required under relevant PRC laws.
30
Misconduct by our employees during and before their employment with us could expose us to potentially significant legal liabilities, reputational harm and/or other damages to our business.
Many of our employees play critical roles in ensuring the safety and reliability of our products and services and/or our compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Certain of our employees have access to sensitive information and/or proprietary technologies and know-how. While we have adopted codes of conduct for all of our employees and implemented detailed policies and procedures relating to intellectual property, proprietary information and trade secrets, we cannot assure you that our employees will always abide by these codes, policies and procedures nor that the precautions we take to detect and prevent employee misconduct will always be effective. If any of our employees engage in any misconduct, illegal or suspicious activities, including but not limited to, misappropriation or leakage of sensitive client information or proprietary information, we and such employees could be subject to legal claims and liabilities and our reputation and business could be adversely affected as a result.
In addition, while we have screening procedures during the recruitment process, we cannot assure you that we will be able to uncover misconduct of job applicants that occurred before we offered them employment, or that we will not be affected by legal proceedings against our existing or former employees as a result of their actual or alleged misconduct. For example, one former employee of ours was arrested and then charged in July 2018 with stealing trade secrets from his previous employer, Apple. Although the alleged theft occurred before he was employed by us, we were subpoenaed by the grand jury to produce certain documents. Another employee of ours was sued by Tesla in March 2019 for misappropriation of trade secrets while he was employed by Tesla. We cooperated with Tesla and provided various documents and information relating to the employee to Tesla upon their request. However, we had to file a motion to quash Teslas further discovery requests that we believe are unreasonable. While the court denied many of Teslas requests, it has directed us to produce certain materials, including our source code and source code logs, for confidential inspection subject to the protective order in this case. While we have put in place various safeguards to address the risk of unauthorized third-party information being introduced into our systems or used in our operations, and based on internal investigation, we are confident that neither of these two employees introduced or used any external confidential information in our systems or business operations, we had to spend significant amount of time and efforts to handle these matters and answer related inquiries. Moreover, although we are not a defendant in either of these cases, discovery in these cases is still ongoing, and we could be further involved in these or other related proceedings that may arise in the future, or be forced to defend against any allegations arising out of these cases or other allegations in the future, even when the allegations are not justified. Any negative publicity surrounding these cases, especially in the event that any of these employees is found to have committed any wrongdoing, could negatively affect our reputation and may have an adverse impact on our business.
We may become subject to product liability claims, which could harm our financial condition and liquidity if we are not able to successfully defend against such claims.
If we become liable for product liability claims, our business, operating results and financial condition may be harmed. The automotive industry experiences significant product liability claims and we face inherent risk of exposure to claims in the event our Smart EVs do not meet applicable standards or requirements, resulting in property damage, personal injury or death. Our risks in this area are particularly pronounced given we have limited experience of offering Smart EVs. Although we implement full-cycle quality control, covering design, procurement, production, sales and after-sales services, we cannot assure you that our quality control measures will be as effective as we expect. Any failure in any of our quality control steps would cause a defect in our Smart EVs, and in turn, could harm our customers. A successful product liability claim against us could require us to pay a substantial monetary award. Moreover, a product liability claim could generate substantial negative publicity about our Smart EVs and business and inhibit or prevent commercialization of our future Smart EVs, which would have material adverse effect on our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
31
In China, vehicles must meet or exceed all mandated safety standards. Rigorous testing and the use of approved materials and equipment are among the requirements for achieving such standards. Vehicles must pass various tests and undergo a certification process and be affixed with China Compulsory Certification, or CCC, before receiving delivery from the factory, being sold, or being used in any commercial activity, and such certification is also subject to periodic renewal. Although our G3 and P7 have received CCC certifications, we cannot assure you that each of our future Smart EV models will be able to receive such certifications. Furthermore, the government carries out the supervision and scheduled and unscheduled inspection of certified vehicles on a regular basis. In the event that our certification fails to be renewed upon expiry, a certified vehicle has a defect resulting in quality or safety accidents, or consistent failure of certified vehicles to comply with certification requirements is discovered during follow-up inspections, the CCC may be suspended or even revoked. With effect from the date of revocation or during suspension of the CCC, any vehicle that fails to satisfy the requirements for certification may not continue to be delivered, sold or used in any commercial activity. Failure of any of our Smart EV models to satisfy motor vehicle standards would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We may choose to or be compelled to undertake product recalls or take other similar actions, which could adversely affect our brand image, business and results of operations.
If our Smart EVs are subject to recalls in the future, we may be subject to adverse publicity, damage to our brand and liability for costs. In the future, we may at various times, voluntarily or involuntarily, initiate a recall if any of our Smart EVs, including any systems or parts sourced from our suppliers, prove to be defective or noncompliant with applicable laws and regulations. Such recalls, whether voluntary or involuntary or caused by systems or components engineered or manufactured by us or our suppliers, could involve significant expense and could adversely affect our brand image, business and results of operations.
Our Smart EVs make use of lithium cells, and lithium cells may catch fire or vent smoke and flame on rare occasions.
Our Smart EVs battery packs make use of lithium cells. On rare occasions, lithium cells can rapidly release the energy they contain by venting smoke and flames in a manner that can ignite nearby materials as well as other lithium cells. While our batteries are built with robust safety features and strong thermal management capabilities, there can be no assurance that our batteries will always function safely. If any safety accident occurs to any of our Smart EVs battery pack, we could be subject to lawsuits, product recalls or redesign efforts, all of which would be time consuming and expensive. Also, negative public perceptions regarding the suitability of lithium cells for automotive applications or any future incident involving lithium cells, such as a vehicle fire, even if such incident does not involve our Smart EVs, could seriously harm customers confidence in our Smart EVs.
If our vehicle owners customize our Smart EVs or change the charging infrastructure with aftermarket products, the vehicle may not operate properly.
Automobile enthusiasts may seek to hack our Smart EVs to modify their performance which could compromise vehicle safety systems. Also, customers may customize our Smart EVs with after-market parts that can compromise driver safety. We do not test, nor do we endorse, such changes. In addition, the use of improper external cabling or unsafe charging outlets can expose our customers to injury from high voltage electricity. Such unauthorized modifications could reduce the safety of our Smart EVs and any injuries resulting from such modifications could result in adverse publicity, which would negatively affect our brand and harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We may need to defend ourselves against patent or trademark infringement claims, which may be time-consuming and would cause us to incur substantial costs.
Companies, organizations or individuals, including our competitors, may hold or obtain patents, trademarks or other proprietary rights that would prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use, develop, sell or
32
market our Smart EVs, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. From time to time, we may receive communications from holders of patents, copyrights or trademarks regarding their proprietary rights. Companies holding patents, copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property rights may bring suits alleging infringement of such rights by us or our employees or otherwise assert their rights and urge us to take licenses. Any such intellectual property infringement claim could result in costly litigation and divert our managements attention and resources.
If we or our employees are determined to have infringed upon a third partys intellectual property rights, we may be required to do one or more of the following:
| cease offering Smart EVs or services that incorporate or use the challenged intellectual property; |
| pay substantial damages; |
| seek a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or at all; |
| redesign our Smart EVs or relevant services which would incur significant cost; or |
| establish and maintain alternative branding for our Smart EVs and services. |
In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to obtain a license to the infringed technology or other intellectual property right, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, any litigation or claims, whether or not valid, could result in substantial costs, negative publicity and diversion of resources and management attention.
We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.
We rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and confidentiality agreements to protect our proprietary rights. As of June 30, 2020, we had 450 patents (including 52 invention patents), 1,047 pending patent applications, 451 registered trademarks and 86 pending trademark applications in China and certain other jurisdictions, which we have invested significant resources to develop. We rely on trademark and patent law, trade secret protection and confidentiality and license agreements with our employees and others to protect our intellectual proprietary rights. In addition, any unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties may adversely affect our current and future revenues and our reputation.
There can be no assurance that our application for the registration with competent government authorities of trademarks and other intellectual property rights related to our current or future business will be approved, or our intellectual property rights will not be challenged by third parties or found by the relevant governmental or judicial authority to be invalid or unenforceable. From time to time, we may encounter difficulties registering our trademarks or other intellectual properties or have disputes with third parties regarding our trademarks or other intellectual properties. If the relevant trademarks or other intellectual properties could not be registered, we may fail to prevent others from using such intellectual properties, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Implementation and enforcement of PRC intellectual property-related laws have historically been deficient and ineffective. Accordingly, protection of intellectual property rights in China may not be as effective as in the United States or other developed countries. Furthermore, policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology is difficult and expensive. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, third parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property or seek court declarations that they do not infringe upon our intellectual property rights. Monitoring unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly, and we cannot assure you that the steps we have taken or will take will prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property. From time to time, we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources.
33
In addition, as our patents may expire and may not be extended and our patent rights may be contested, circumvented, invalidated or limited in scope, our patent rights may not protect us effectively. In particular, we may not be able to prevent others from developing or exploiting competing technologies, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business operations, financial condition and results of operations.
The use of certain premises may be disrupted if the land-use-purpose statutory provisions are strictly enforced by competent government authorities.
We lease a number of properties for our stores, service centers, offices and self-operated charging stations across China. Certain leased properties are not used in accordance with the designated purposes of such properties. For example, some stores or offices are currently located on lands designated for industrial usage instead of commercial usage. Under the PRC legal regime regarding the land use right, land shall be used strictly in line with the approved usage of the land. Any change as contemplated to the usages of land shall go through relevant land alteration registration procedures. If any state-owned land is illegally used beyond the approved usage, the land administrative departments of the PRC governments at and above the county level may retrieve the land and impose a fine. As such, our usage of such leased properties may subject the landlords to retrieval of land or removal of the buildings by the PRC government authorities and therefore we may need to move our stores, offices or charging stations somewhere else and additional relocation costs will be incurred.
In addition, certain leased properties had been mortgaged by the landlords to third parties before entering into lease agreements with us, and certain lessors of our leased properties failed to provide the building ownership certificates or other evidence demonstrating their rights to lease such properties. If the mortgagees of the leased properties exercise their mortgage right or the lessors do not actually have the rights to lease the relevant properties to us, we will not be able to continue our leases on the said properties and therefore we may need to relocate the relevant functions somewhere else and additional relocation costs will be incurred.
Our insurance coverage strategy may not be adequate to protect us from all business risks.
We have limited liability insurance coverage for our products and business operations. A successful liability claim against us due to injuries suffered by our customers could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and reputation. In addition, we do not have any business disruption insurance. Any business disruption event could result in substantial cost to us and diversion of our resources.
We may not be able to maintain and enhance our strategic relationships with our strategic partners.
Strategic business relationships will be an important factor in the growth and success of our business. Xiaomi, a leading technology company, is one of our strategic investors, and we co-develop digital car keys. We have also formed strategic partnerships with several key suppliers, such as Bosch, Brembo and CATL. If we were unable to maintain and enhance our strategic relationship with any of such partners, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
From time to time we may evaluate and potentially consummate strategic investments or acquisitions, which could require significant management attention, disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial results.
We may evaluate and consider strategic investments, combinations, acquisitions or alliances to enhance our competitive position. These transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations if consummated. If we are able to identify an appropriate business opportunity, we may not be able to successfully consummate the transaction and, even if we do consummate such a transaction, we may be unable to obtain the benefits or avoid the difficulties and risks of such transaction, which may result in investment losses.
34
Strategic investments or acquisitions will involve risks commonly encountered in business relationships, including:
| difficulties in assimilating and integrating the operations, personnel, systems, data, technologies, products and services of the acquired business; |
| inability of the acquired technologies, products or businesses to achieve expected levels of revenue, profitability, productivity or other benefits including the failure to successfully further develop the acquired technology; |
| difficulties in retaining, training, motivating and integrating key personnel; |
| diversion of managements time and resources from our normal daily operations and potential disruptions to our ongoing businesses; |
| strain on our liquidity and capital resources; |
| difficulties in executing intended business plans and achieving synergies from such strategic investments or acquisitions; |
| difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies within the overall organization; |
| difficulties in retaining relationships with existing suppliers and other partners of the acquired business; |
| risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience; |
| regulatory risks, including remaining in good standing with existing regulatory bodies or receiving any necessary pre-closing or post-closing approvals, as well as being subject to new regulators with oversight over an acquired business; |
| assumption of contractual obligations that contain terms that are not beneficial to us, require us to license or waive intellectual property rights or increase our risk for liability; |
| liability for activities of the acquired business before the acquisition, including intellectual property infringement claims, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities; and |
| unexpected costs and unknown risks and liabilities associated with strategic investments or acquisitions. |
Any future investments or acquisitions may not be successful, may not benefit our business strategy, may not generate sufficient revenues to offset the associated acquisition costs or may not otherwise result in the intended benefits.
Certain of our operating subsidiaries may be required to obtain additional licenses or permits or make additional filings or registrations.
In order to operate our business, we need to obtain a series of licenses, permits and approvals, make filings or complete registrations according to relevant PRC laws and regulations. However, given the significant amount of discretion held by local PRC authorities in interpreting, implementing and enforcing relevant rules and regulations, as well as other factors beyond our control, we cannot guarantee you that we have obtained or will be able to obtain and maintain all requisite licenses, permits, filings and registrations.
For example, PRC governments impose sanctions for engaging in value-added telecommunication services, or the VATS, without having obtained the VATS licenses for relevant categories. These sanctions include corrective orders and warnings from the PRC communication administration authority, fines and confiscation of illegal gains and, in the case of significant infringements, the websites and mobile apps may be ordered to cease
35
operation. We have obtained two VATS licenses for Internet content provider, each held by Zhipeng IoV and Yidian Chuxing, respectively. Given that the interpretation of such regulations and PRC regulatory authorities enforcement of such regulations in the context of VATS industry are evolving and remain uncertain, it is unclear whether we are required to obtain other VAT licenses. If we are not able to comply with all applicable legal requirements, we may be subject to fines, confiscation of the gains derived from our non-compliant operations or suspension of our non-compliant operations, any of which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Certain of our operating subsidiaries that are providing repair and maintenance services have not made the automobile maintenance and management filing with competent government authorities. We may be ordered by the competent government authorities to rectify such non-compliance and may also be subject to fines. In addition, one of our operating subsidiaries that is engaged in the cash settlement activities in relation to our franchised charging stations may be deemed as providing payment services and thus be required to obtain the payment business license. If we were deemed as providing payment services without obtaining the payment business license, we may be ordered by the Peoples Bank of China, or the PBOC, or its local branch to cease the activities related to cash settlement.
In addition, due to the uncertainties regarding the interpretation of the laws and regulations related to online transmission business of audio and visual programs and PRC regulatory authorities enforcement of such laws and regulations, we may be required to obtain a License for Online Transmission of Audio and Visual Programs, as we allow users of our Xpeng mobile app to upload and share audio and video content on the mobile app from time to time. If the government authorities determine that the audio and video uploading feature on our Xpeng mobile app should be subject to this license requirement, we may be required to obtain necessary license and may even be subject to penalties, fines, legal sanctions and/or an order to remove such feature. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary action from the relevant government authorities regarding the lack of a License for Online Transmission of Audio and Visual Programs.
We may from time to time be subject to claims, disputes, lawsuits and other legal and administrative proceedings.
We are currently not party to any material legal or administrative proceedings. However, in light of the nature of our business, we and our management are susceptible to potential claims or disputes. We and certain of our management have been, and may from time to time in the future be, subject to or involved in various claims, disputes, lawsuits and other legal and administrative proceedings. Lawsuits and litigations may cause us to incur defense costs, utilize a significant portion of our resources and divert managements attention from our day-to-day operations, any of which could harm our business. Claims arising out of actual or alleged violations of law, breach of contract or torts could be asserted against us by customers, business partners, suppliers, competitors, employees or governmental entities in investigations and legal proceedings. In particular, according to the PRC Social Insurance Law and the Administrative Measures on Housing Fund, employers are required, together with their employees or separately, to pay the social insurance premiums and housing funds for their employees. Employers that fail to make adequate social insurance and housing fund contributions may be subject to fines and legal sanctions. If the relevant PRC authorities determine that we shall make supplemental contributions, that we are not in compliance with labor laws and regulations, or that we are subject to fines or other legal sanctions, such as order of timely rectification, and our business, financial condition and results of operation may be adversely affected.
We are subject to various environmental and safety laws and regulations that could impose substantial costs upon us and cause delays in building our manufacturing facilities.
We are subject to multiple environmental and safety laws and regulations related to the manufacture of our Smart EVs, including the use of hazardous materials in the manufacturing process and the operation of our manufacturing plant. Such laws and regulations govern the use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous
36
materials during the manufacturing process. We are responsible for obtaining and/or periodically renewing the waste disposal permits and other relevant permits for our Zhaoqing plant. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain or renew such permits in a timely manner.
In addition, from time to time, the government of the PRC issues new regulations, which may require additional actions on our part to comply. If the Zhaoqing plant or any of our other future constructions fails to comply with applicable regulations or maintain the relevant permits, we could be subject to substantial liability for clean-up efforts, personal injury or fines or be forced to close or temporarily cease the operations of the Zhaoqing plant or other relevant constructions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation. Our business could also be materially and adversely affected if the Haima plant fails to comply with applicable environmental and safety laws and regulations.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence in our company and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely affected.
Prior to this offering, we were a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal controls and procedures. Our management has not completed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the preparation and external audit of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, we and PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, in accordance with the standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States.
The material weakness identified relates to the lack of sufficient financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate knowledge of U.S. GAAP, in particular, to (i) develop comprehensive U.S. GAAP accounting policies and financial reporting procedures to address complex U.S. GAAP technical accounting issues and (ii) prepare and review our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements set forth by the SEC. We have implemented and are continuing to implement a number of measures to address the material weakness that has been identified. For details, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsInternal Control Over Financial Reporting. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to continue implementing these measures in the future, or that we will not identify additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the future.
We will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of the NYSE after the completion of this offering. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. Commencing with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, we must perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting in our Form 20-F filing for that year, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, once we cease to be an emerging growth company as the term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. This will require that we incur substantial additional professional fees and internal costs to expand our accounting and finance functions and that we expend significant management efforts.
37
In addition, our internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control systems objectives will be met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud will be detected.
If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner, or if we are unable to maintain proper and effective internal controls, we may not be able to produce timely and accurate financial statements. If that were to happen, the market price of our ADSs could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the NYSE, SEC or other regulatory authorities.
If we upgrade our manufacturing equipment more quickly than expected, we may have to shorten the useful lives of any equipment to be retired as a result of any such update, and the resulting acceleration in our depreciation could negatively affect our financial results.
We have invested and expect to continue to invest significantly in what we believe is state of the art tooling, machinery and other manufacturing equipment in our manufacturing facilities, and we depreciate the cost of such equipment over their expected useful lives. However, manufacturing technology may evolve rapidly, and we may decide to update our manufacturing process with cutting-edge equipment more quickly than expected. Moreover, as our engineering and manufacturing expertise and efficiency increase, we may be able to manufacture our Smart EVs using less of our installed equipment. The useful life of any equipment that would be retired early as a result would be shortened, causing the depreciation on such equipment to be accelerated, and to the extent we own such equipment, our results of operations could be negatively impacted.
Our warranty reserves may be insufficient to cover future warranty claims which could adversely affect our financial performance.
We offer competitive warranty terms. To retail customers who purchased the G3, we offer (i) a four-year or 100,000-kilometer warranty and (ii) an eight-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty for critical components, such as battery pack, motors and VCU. To retail customers who purchased the P7, we offer (i) a five-year or 120,000-kilometer warranty and (ii) an eight-year or 160,000-kilometer warranty for critical components, such as battery pack, motors and VCU. With respect to each vehicle model, we also offer a two-year or 50,000-kilometer warranty covering vehicle repair, replacement and refund, in the event of certain product malfunctions specified in the applicable regulation. We accrue a warranty reserve for the Smart EVs sold by us, which includes our best estimate of the projected costs to repair or replace items under warranties and recalls when identified. We have limited experience with warranty claims regarding our Smart EVs or with estimating warranty reserves. As of June 30, 2020, we had warranty reserves in respect of our Smart EVs of RMB48.0 million (US$6.8 million). We cannot assure you that such reserves will be sufficient to cover future claims. We could, in the future, become subject to a significant and unexpected warranty claims, resulting in significant expenses, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation.
38
We face risks associated with the international sale of our Smart EVs, and if we are unable to effectively manage these risks, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
While we have historically sold all of our Smart EVs in China, we are exploring opportunities to expand into international markets. For example, we began to accept customer orders for our G3 from an European country through a local dealer in June 2020 and expect delivery to begin on a trial basis in that country before the end of 2020. We may also test sales into other international markets. While we expect China will continue to be our primary market, the marketing and sale of our Smart EVs to international markets may increase in the future, which will expose us to a number of risks, including, but not limited, to:
| fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; |
| increased costs associated with maintaining the ability to understand the local markets and develop and maintain effective marketing and distributing presence in various countries; |
| providing customer service and support in these markets; |
| difficulty with staffing and managing overseas operations; |
| failure to develop appropriate risk management and internal control structures tailored to overseas operations; |
| difficulty and cost relating to compliance with different commercial and legal requirements of the overseas markets in which we offer or plan to offer our products and services including charging and other electric infrastructures; |
| failure to obtain or maintain permits for our products or services in these markets; |
| different safety concerns and measures needed to address accident related risks in different countries and regions; |
| inability to obtain, maintain or enforce intellectual property rights; |
| unanticipated changes in prevailing economic conditions and regulatory requirements; and |
| trade barriers such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and other restrictions and expenses. |
Our expansion into international markets will require us to respond timely and effectively to rapid changes in market conditions in the relevant countries. Our success in international expansion depends, in part, on our ability to succeed in different legal, regulatory, economic, environmental, social and political conditions which we have little control over. We may not be able to develop and implement policies and strategies that will be effective in each location where we do business. A change in one or more of the factors described above may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have not recognized any share-based compensation expense in the past but will recognize a substantial amount of share-based compensation expense upon the completion of this offering, which will have a significant impact on our results of operations.
In 2015, our subsidiary, Chengxing Zhidong, adopted a share incentive plan, pursuant to which options were granted to certain employees of Chengxing Zhidong. In June 2020, XPeng Inc. adopted a share incentive plan, or the Plan, to replace the share incentive plan adopted by Chengxing Zhidong, and we issued RSUs to replace the options granted to certain employees of Chengxing Zhidong. As of the date of this prospectus, 96,400,795 RSUs were granted and outstanding. We are required to recognize compensation expense for an equity award over the period in which the recipient is required to provide service in exchange for the equity award. Because the vesting of the RSUs (including the RSUs issued to replace the options granted under the share incentive plan of Chengxing Zhidong) will be contingent upon the completion of an initial public offering or change in control, we have not recognized, and do not expect to recognize, share-based compensation expense relating to such equity
39
awards prior to the completion of this offering. Upon the completion of this offering, we expect to begin to recognize a significant amount of share-based compensation expense. As of June 30, 2020, the total unrecognized share-based compensation expense amounted to RMB584.4 million (US$82.7 million), out of which RMB210.3 million (US$29.8 million) was related to RSUs for which the service condition had been met and is expected to be recognized upon the completion of this offering. Moreover, if additional RSUs or other share incentives are granted to our employees, directors or consultants in the future, we will incur additional share-based compensation expense and our results of operations will be further adversely affected.
Any financial or economic crisis, or perceived threat of such a crisis, including a significant decrease in consumer confidence, may materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation.
The global macroeconomic environment is facing challenges. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the worlds leading economies, including the United States. There have been concerns over the downturn in economic output caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. It is unclear whether these challenges will be contained and what effects they each may have. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions. Recently there have been signs that the rate of Chinas economic growth is declining, and Chinas economy contracted in the first quarter of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Any prolonged slowdown in Chinas economic development might lead to tighter credit markets, increased market volatility, sudden drops in business and consumer confidence and dramatic changes in business and consumer behaviors.
Sales of our Smart EVs depend in part on discretionary consumer spending and are even more exposed to adverse changes in general economic conditions. In response to their perceived uncertainty in economic conditions, consumers might delay, reduce or cancel purchases of our Smart EVs and our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We could be adversely affected by political tensions between the United States and China.
In March 2018, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum entering the United States and in June 2018 announced further tariffs targeting goods imported from China. Subsequently both China and the U.S. have each imposed tariffs that have adversely affected trade between the two countries. In October 2019, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that China and the United States had reached a tentative agreement for the first phase of a trade deal, under which China has agreed to buy up to US$50.0 billion of American products and services, while the United States has agreed to suspend new tariffs. Such agreement was signed in January 2020. Although we do not currently export any of our Smart EVs to the United States, it is not yet clear what impact these tariff negotiations may have or what further actions the governments may take, and tariffs could potentially impact our raw material prices.
Political tensions between the United States and China have escalated since the COVID-19 outbreak and the PRC National Peoples Congress passage of Hong Kong national security legislation. Rising political tensions could reduce levels of trades, investments, technological exchanges and other economic activities between the two major economies, which would have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, there have been recent media reports on deliberations within the U.S. government regarding potentially limiting or restricting China-based companies from accessing U.S. capital markets. If any such deliberations were to materialize, the resulting legislation may have a material and adverse impact on the stock performance of China-based issuers listed in the United States. It is unclear if this proposed legislation would be enacted.
A substantial part of our research and development on autonomous driving is conducted in the United States, and we are required to comply with the U.S. laws and regulations on export controls, including the U.S.
40
Department of Commerces Export Administration Regulations. Currently, such laws and regulations do not restrict our ability to offer our U.S.-origin software to customers in China. However, we may be affected by future changes in U.S. export control laws and regulations. If we were unable to transfer our U.S.-origin software to China, source U.S.-origin software and components from third parties or otherwise access U.S. technology as a result of such regulatory changes, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
We face risks related to natural disasters, health epidemics and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations.
Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of epidemics. In recent years, there have been outbreaks of epidemics in China and globally. If any of our employees are identified as a possible source of spreading COVID-19, H1N1 flu, avian flu or another epidemic, we may be required to quarantine employees that are suspected of being infected, as well as others that have come into contact with those employees. We may also be required to disinfect our affected premises, which could cause a temporary suspension of certain business operations. A recurrence of an outbreak of COVID-19, H1N1 flu, avian flu or another epidemic could restrict the level of economic activities generally and/or slow down or disrupt our business activities, which could in turn adversely affect our results of operations.
We are also vulnerable to natural disasters and other calamities. Although we have servers that are hosted in an offsite location, our backup system does not capture data on a real-time basis and we may be unable to recover certain data in the event of a server failure. We cannot assure you that any backup systems will be adequate to protect us from the effects of fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins, war, riots, terrorist attacks or similar events. Any of the foregoing events may give rise to interruptions, breakdowns, system failures, technology platform failures or internet failures, which could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware as well as adversely affect our ability to provide services to our customers.
Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure
If the PRC government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to our consolidated VIEs do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.
The current industry entry clearance requirements governing the foreign investment activities in the PRC are set out in two categories, namely the Encouraged Industry Catalog for Foreign Investment (2019 version), as promulgated by the NDRC and the MOFCOM and taking effect on July 30, 2019, and the 2020 Negative List. Industries not listed in these two catalogs are generally deemed permitted for foreign investments unless specifically restricted by other PRC laws. According to the 2020 Negative List and other applicable laws and regulations, the industry of value-added telecommunications services (other than the services of electronic commerce, multiparty conferencing within the PRC, information storage and forwarding, and call center) generally falls into the restricted category with very limited exceptions in certain pilot demonstration zones.
Because we are an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are classified as a foreign enterprise under PRC laws and regulations, and our PRC subsidiaries are foreign-invested enterprises, or FIEs. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we operate our businesses related to the value-added telecommunications services through our consolidated VIEs, as defined below, that hold the required ICP license and other related licenses. Our subsidiary, Guangzhou Xiaopeng Zhihui Chuxing Technology Co., Ltd., or Xiaopeng Chuxing, has entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Guangzhou Yidian Zhihui Chuxing Technology Co., Ltd., or Yidian Chuxing, and its shareholders. In addition, our subsidiary, Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Technology Co., Ltd., or Xiaopeng Technology, has entered into a series of contractual arrangements
41
with Guangzhou Zhipeng IoV Technology Co., Ltd., or Zhipeng IoV, and its shareholders. Yidian Chuxing and Zhipeng IoV are collectively referred to as our consolidated VIEs. For a detailed description of these contractual arrangements, see Our History and Corporate StructureContractual Arrangements with Consolidated VIEs and Their Shareholders.
We believe that our corporate structure and contractual arrangements comply with the current applicable PRC laws and regulations. Our PRC legal counsel, based on its understanding of the relevant laws and regulations, is of the opinion that each of the contracts among (i) Xiaopeng Chuxing, Yidian Chuxing and Yidian Chuxings shareholders and (ii) Xiaopeng Technology, Zhipeng IoV and Zhipeng IoVs shareholders is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms. However, as there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including the PRC Foreign Investment Law and its implementing rules, the Telecommunications Regulations and the relevant regulatory measures concerning the telecommunications industry and other industries we are or will be engaged in, there can be no assurance that the PRC government authorities, including the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM, or the MIIT, or other competent authorities would agree that our corporate structure or any of the above contractual arrangements comply with PRC licensing, registration or other regulatory requirements, with existing policies or with requirements or policies that may be adopted in the future. PRC laws and regulations governing the validity of these contractual arrangements are uncertain and the relevant government authorities have broad discretion in interpreting these laws and regulations.
If our corporate structure and contractual arrangements are deemed by the MIIT or the MOFCOM or other regulators having competent authority to be illegal, either in whole or in part, we may lose control of our consolidated VIEs and have to modify such structure to comply with regulatory requirements. However, there can be no assurance that we can achieve this without material disruption to our business. Further, if our corporate structure and contractual arrangements are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, the relevant regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:
| revoking our relevant business and operating licenses; |
| levying fines on us; |
| confiscating any of our income that they deem to be obtained through illegal operations; |
| shutting down our relevant services; |
| discontinuing or restricting our operations in China; |
| imposing conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply; |
| requiring us to change our corporate structure and contractual arrangements; |
| restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds from overseas offering to finance our PRC consolidated VIEs business and operations; and |
| taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could be harmful to our business. |
Furthermore, new PRC laws, rules and regulations may be introduced to impose additional requirements that may be applicable to our corporate structure and contractual arrangements. See Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted PRC Foreign Investment Law and its implementing rules and how they may impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Occurrence of any of these events could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if the imposition of any of these penalties or requirement to restructure our corporate structure causes us to lose the rights to direct the activities of our consolidated VIEs or our right to receive their economic benefits, we would no longer be able to consolidate the financial results of such VIEs in our consolidated financial statements. However, we do not believe that such actions would result in the
42
liquidation or dissolution of our company, our subsidiaries in China or our consolidated VIEs or their subsidiaries. See Our History and Corporate StructureContractual Arrangements with Consolidated VIEs and Their Shareholders.
Our contractual arrangements with our consolidated VIEs may result in adverse tax consequences to us.
We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that our contractual arrangements with our consolidated VIEs were not made on an arms length basis and adjust our income and expenses for PRC tax purposes by requiring a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could adversely affect us by (i) increasing the tax liabilities of our consolidated VIEs without reducing the tax liability of our subsidiaries, which could further result in late payment fees and other penalties to our consolidated VIEs for underpaid taxes; or (ii) limiting the ability of our consolidated VIEs to obtain or maintain preferential tax treatments and other financial incentives.
We rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated VIEs and their shareholders to operate our mobile apps, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control and otherwise have a material adverse effect as to our business.
We rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated VIEs and their shareholders to operate our mobile apps, which is important to our ability to offer a convenient customer experience. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see Our History and Corporate StructureContractual Arrangements with Consolidated VIEs and Their Shareholders. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our consolidated VIEs. If our consolidated VIEs or their shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under these contractual arrangements, our recourse to the assets held by our consolidated VIEs is indirect and we may have to incur substantial costs and expend significant resources to enforce such arrangements in reliance on legal remedies under PRC law. These remedies may not always be effective, particularly in light of uncertainties in the PRC legal system. Furthermore, in connection with litigation, arbitration or other judicial or dispute resolution proceedings, assets under the name of any of record holder of equity interest in our consolidated VIEs, including such equity interest, may be put under court custody. As a consequence, we cannot be certain that the equity interest will be disposed pursuant to the contractual arrangement or ownership by the record holder of the equity interest.
If any of our VIEs or their shareholders fail to perform their obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under PRC laws, including contractual remedies, which may not be sufficient or effective. All of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC laws and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. However, the legal framework and system in China, in particularly those relating to arbitration proceedings, are not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a variable interest entity should be interpreted or enforced under PRC law. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In addition, under PRC laws, rulings by arbitrators are final, parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and if the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in the PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event that we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant time delays or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, it would be very difficult to exert effective control over our consolidated VIEs, and our ability to conduct our business and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. See Risks Relating to Doing Business in ChinaThere are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations.
43
The shareholders of our consolidated VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
In connection with our operations in China, we rely on the shareholders of our consolidated VIEs to abide by the obligations under such contractual arrangements. The interests of these shareholders in their individual capacities as the shareholders of our consolidated VIEs may differ from the interests of our company as a whole, as what is in the best interests of our consolidated VIEs, including matters such as whether to distribute dividends or to make other distributions to fund our offshore requirement, may not be in the best interests of our company. There can be no assurance that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of these individuals will act in the best interests of our company or those conflicts of interest will be resolved in our favor. In addition, these individuals may breach or cause our consolidated VIEs and their subsidiaries to breach or refuse to renew the existing contractual arrangements with us.
Currently, we do not have arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest the shareholders of our consolidated VIEs may encounter, on one hand, and as a beneficial owner of our company, on the other hand. We, however, could, at all times, exercise our option under the exclusive call option agreements to cause them to transfer all of their equity ownership in our consolidated VIEs to a PRC entity or individual designated by us as permitted by the then applicable PRC laws. In addition, if such conflicts of interest arise, we could also, in the capacity of attorney-in-fact of the then existing shareholders of our consolidated VIEs as provided under the power of attorney agreements, directly appoint new directors of our consolidated VIEs. We rely on the shareholders of our consolidated VIEs to comply with PRC laws and regulations, which protect contracts and provide that directors and executive officers owe a duty of loyalty to our company and require them to avoid conflicts of interest and not to take advantage of their positions for personal gains, and the laws of the Cayman Islands, which provide that directors have a duty of care and a duty of loyalty to act honestly in good faith with a view to our best interests. However, the legal frameworks of China and the Cayman Islands do not provide guidance on resolving conflicts in the event of a conflict with another corporate governance regime. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and the shareholders of our consolidated VIEs, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
Our corporate actions will be substantially controlled by certain shareholders who will have the ability to control or exert significant influence over important corporate matters that require approval of shareholders, which may deprive you of an opportunity to receive a premium for your ADSs and materially reduce the value of your investment.
Our seventh amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that in respect of all matters subject to a shareholders vote, each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote, and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to [10] votes, voting together as one class. Mr. Xiaopeng He, our co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Heng Xia, our co-founder, director and president, and Mr. Tao He, our co-founder, director and senior vice president, will beneficially own all the Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding, representing % of the voting power of our total issued and outstanding shares immediately after the completion of this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. As a result, Mr. Xiaopeng He, Mr. Heng Xia and Mr. Tao He will have the ability to control or exert significant influence over important corporate matters, investors may be prevented from affecting important corporate matters involving our company that require approval of shareholders, including:
| the composition of our board of directors and, through it, any determinations with respect to our operations, business direction and policies, including the appointment and removal of officers; |
| any determinations with respect to mergers or other business combinations; |
| our disposition of substantially all of our assets; and |
| any change in control. |
44
These actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders, including the holders of the ADSs. Furthermore, this concentration of ownership may also discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the dual effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and reducing the price of the ADSs. As a result of the foregoing, the value of your investment could be materially reduced.
The dual-class structure of our share capital may render the ADSs ineligible for inclusion in certain stock market indices, and thus adversely affect the market price and liquidity of the ADSs.
In July 2017, FTSE Russell and Standard & Poors announced that they would cease to allow most newly public companies utilizing dual or multi-class capital structures to be included in their indices. Affected indices include the Russell 2000 and the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600, which together make up the S&P Composite 1500. Under the announced policies, our dual-class capital structure would make the ADSs ineligible for inclusion in any of these indices, and as a result, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and other investment vehicles that attempt to passively track these indices will not be investing in the ADSs. These policies are still relatively new and it is yet unclear what effect, if any, they have had and will have on the valuations of publicly traded companies excluded from the indices, but it is possible that they may depress these valuations compared to those of other similar companies that are included and may adversely affect the liquidity of the shares of such companies. As such, the exclusion of the ADSs from these indices could result in a less active trading market for the ADSs and adversely affect their trading price.
If the custodians or authorized users of our controlling non-tangible assets, including chops and seals, fail to fulfill their responsibilities, or misappropriate or misuse these assets, our business and operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Under PRC law, legal documents for corporate transactions, including agreements and contracts such as the leases and sales contracts that our business relies on, are executed using the chop or seal of the signing entity or with the signature of a legal representative whose designation is registered and filed with the relevant local branch of the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR. We generally execute legal documents by affixing chops or seals, rather than having the designated legal representatives sign the documents. The chops of our subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs are generally held by the relevant entities so that documents can be executed locally. Although we usually utilize chops to execute contracts, the registered legal representatives of our subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs have the apparent authority to enter into contracts on behalf of such entities without chops, unless such contracts set forth otherwise.
In order to maintain the physical security of our chops, we generally have them stored in secured locations accessible only to the designated key employees of our legal, administrative or finance departments. Our designated legal representatives generally do not have access to the chops. Although we have approval procedures in place and monitor our key employees, including the designated legal representatives of our subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs, the procedures may not be sufficient to prevent all instances of abuse or negligence. There is a risk that our key employees or designated legal representatives could abuse their authority, for example, by binding our subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs with contracts against our interests, as we would be obligated to honor these contracts if the other contracting party acts in good faith in reliance on the apparent authority of our chops or signatures of our legal representatives. If any designated legal representative obtains control of the chop in an effort to obtain control over the relevant entity, we would need to have a shareholder or board resolution to designate a new legal representative and to take legal action to seek the return of the chop, apply for a new chop with the relevant authorities, or otherwise seek legal remedies for the legal representatives misconduct. If any of the designated legal representatives obtains and misuses or misappropriates our chops and seals or other controlling intangible assets for whatever reason, we could experience disruption to our normal business operations. We may have to take corporate or legal action, which could involve significant time and resources to resolve while distracting management from our operations, and our business and operations may be materially and adversely affected.
45
Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted PRC Foreign Investment Law and its implementing rules and how they may impact our business, financial condition and results of operations
The VIE structure through contractual arrangements has been adopted by many PRC-based companies, including us, to obtain necessary licenses and permits in the industries that are currently subject to foreign investment restrictions in China. The MOFCOM published a discussion draft of the proposed PRC Foreign Investment Law in January 2015, or the 2015 Draft FIL, according to which, variable interest entities that are controlled via contractual arrangements would also be deemed as foreign-invested entities, if they are ultimately controlled by foreign investors. In March 2019, the PRC National Peoples Congress promulgated the PRC Foreign Investment Law, and in December 2019, the State Council promulgated the Implementing Rules of PRC Foreign Investment Law, or the Implementing Rules, to further clarify and elaborate the relevant provisions of the PRC Foreign Investment Law. The PRC Foreign Investment Law and the Implementing Rules both became effective from January 1, 2020 and replaced the major previous laws and regulations governing foreign investments in the PRC. Pursuant to the PRC Foreign Investment Law, foreign investments refer to investment activities conducted by foreign investors (including foreign natural persons, foreign enterprises or other foreign organizations) directly or indirectly in the PRC, which include any of the following circumstances: (i) foreign investors setting up foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC solely or jointly with other investors, (ii) foreign investors obtaining shares, equity interests, property portions or other similar rights and interests of enterprises within the PRC, (iii) foreign investors investing in new projects in the PRC solely or jointly with other investors, and (iv) investment in other methods as specified in laws, administrative regulations, or as stipulated by the State Council. The PRC Foreign Investment Law and the Implementing Rules do not introduce the concept of control in determining whether a company would be considered as a foreign-invested enterprise, nor do they explicitly provide whether the VIE structure would be deemed as a method of foreign investment. However, the PRC Foreign Investment Law has a catch-all provision that includes into the definition of foreign investments made by foreign investors in China in other methods as specified in laws, administrative regulations, or as stipulated by the State Council, and as the PRC Foreign Investment Law and the Implementing Rules are newly adopted and relevant government authorities may promulgate more laws, regulations or rules on the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law, the possibility cannot be ruled out that the concept of control as stated in the 2015 Draft FIL may be embodied in, or the VIE structure adopted by us may be deemed as a method of foreign investment by, any of such future laws, regulations and rules. If our consolidated VIE was deemed as a foreign-invested enterprise under any of such future laws, regulations and rules, and any of the businesses that we operate would be in any negative list for foreign investment and therefore be subject to any foreign investment restrictions or prohibitions, further actions required to be taken by us under such laws, regulations and rules may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our current corporate structure, business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Doing Business in China
Changes in the political and economic policies of the PRC government may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and may result in our inability to sustain our growth and expansion strategies.
Our operations are mainly conducted in the PRC, and all of our revenue has historically been sourced from the PRC. Accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations are affected to a significant extent by economic, political and legal developments in the PRC.
The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the extent of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation
46
of resources. Although the PRC government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets, and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the government. In addition, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The PRC government also exercises significant control over Chinas economic growth by allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, regulating financial services and institutions and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth in the past three decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall PRC economy, but may also have a negative effect on us. Our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us. In addition, the PRC government has implemented in the past certain measures to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity, which in turn could lead to a reduction in demand for our services and consequently have a material adverse effect on our businesses, financial condition and results of operations.
There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations.
Our operations are mainly conducted in the PRC, and are governed by PRC laws, rules and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs are subject to laws, rules and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China. The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.
In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws, rules and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investment in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws, rules and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China or may be subject to significant degrees of interpretation by PRC regulatory agencies. In particular, because these laws, rules and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited number of published decisions and the nonbinding nature of such decisions, and because the laws, rules and regulations often give the relevant regulator significant discretion in how to enforce them, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations involve uncertainties and can be inconsistent and unpredictable. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, and which may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until after the occurrence of the violation.
Any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. These uncertainties may impede our ability to enforce the contracts we have entered into and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The audit report included in this prospectus is prepared by an auditor who is not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, our investors are deprived of the benefits of such inspection.
Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included in our prospectus filed with the SEC, as auditors of companies that are traded publicly in the U.S. and a firm registered with the
47
U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, is required by the laws of the U.S. to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the U.S. and professional standards. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Accordingly, without the consent of the competent PRC securities regulators and relevant authorities, no organization or individual may provide the documents and materials relating to securities business activities to overseas parties. Because our auditors are located in the Peoples Republic of China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditors are not currently inspected by the PCAOB. On May 24, 2013, PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the CSRC and the Ministry of Finance, which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations in the United States and China. PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the CSRC and the Ministry of Finance to permit joint inspections in the PRC of audit firms that are registered with PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges. On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. The joint statement reflects the U.S. regulators heightened interest in this issue. In a statement issued on December 9, 2019, the SEC reiterated concerns over the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of the audit firm work papers with respect to U.S.-listed companies that have operations in China, and emphasized the importance of audit quality in emerging markets, such as China. On April 21, 2020, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a new joint statement, reminding the investors that in investing in companies that are based in or have substantial operations in many emerging markets, including China, there is substantially greater risk that disclosures will be incomplete or misleading, and there is also a greater risk of fraud. In the event of investor harm, there is substantially less ability to bring and enforce SEC, DOJ and other U.S. regulatory actions, in comparison to U.S. domestic companies, and the joint statement reinforced past SEC and PCAOB statements on matters including the difficulty to inspect audit work papers in China and its potential harm to investors. However, it remains unclear what further actions the SEC and PCAOB will take to address the concerns. On June 4, 2020, the U.S. President issued a memorandum ordering the Presidents Working Group on Financial Markets to submit a report to the President within 60 days of the memorandum that includes recommendations for actions that can be taken by the executive branch and by the SEC or PCAOB on Chinese companies listed on the U.S. stock exchanges and their audit firms, in an effort to protect investors in the U.S.
Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside China have identified deficiencies in those firms audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditors audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections. Investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our consolidated financial statements.
As part of a continued regulatory focus in the United States on access to audit and other information currently protected by national law, in particular Chinas, in June 2019, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced bills in both houses of the U.S. Congress, which if passed, would require the SEC to maintain a list of issuers for which PCAOB is not able to inspect or investigate an auditor report issued by a foreign public accounting firm. The proposed Ensuring Quality Information and Transparency for Abroad-Based Listings on our Exchanges (EQUITABLE) Act prescribes increased disclosure requirements for these issuers and, beginning in 2025, the delisting from U.S. national securities exchanges such as NYSE and NASDAQ of issuers included on the SECs list for three consecutive years. Furthermore, on May 20, 2020, the U.S. senate passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the Kennedy Bill, which includes requirements similar to those in the EQUITABLE Act for the SEC to identify issuers whose audit reports are prepared by auditors that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate because of restrictions imposed by non-U.S. authorities. The Kennedy Bill would also require public companies on this SEC list to certify that they are not owned or controlled by a foreign government and make certain additional disclosures on foreign ownership and control of such issuers in their
48
SEC filings. If passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed by the U.S. President, the Kennedy Bill would amend the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to require the SEC to prohibit securities of any U.S. listed companies from being traded on any of the U.S. national securities exchanges, such as NYSE and NASDAQ, or in the U.S. over-the-counter markets, if the auditor of the U.S. listed companies financial statements is not subject to PCAOB inspections for three consecutive years after the law becomes effective. In August 2020, the Presidents Working Group on Financial Markets, or the PWG, released the Report on Protecting United States Investors from Significant Risks from Chinese Companies. The PWG recommends that the SEC take steps to implement the recommendations outlined in the report. In particular, to address companies from non-cooperating jurisdictions, or NCJs, such as China, that do not provide the PCAOB with sufficient access to fulfill its statutory mandate the PWG recommends enhanced listing standards on U.S. securities exchanges. This would require, as a condition to initial and continued exchange listing, PCAOB access to work papers of the principal audit firm for the audit of the listed company. Companies unable to satisfy this standard as a result of governmental restrictions on access to audit work papers and practices in NCJs may satisfy this standard by providing a co-audit from an audit firm with comparable resources and experience where the PCAOB determines it has sufficient access to audit work papers and practices to conduct an appropriate inspection of the co-audit firm. To reduce market disruption, the new listing standards could provide for a transition period until January 1, 2022 for currently listed companies. The other recommendations in the report include, among other things, requiring enhanced and prominent issuer disclosures of the risks of investing in certain NCJs such as China.
Enactment of any of such legislation or other efforts to increase the U.S. regulatory access to audit information could cause investor uncertainty for affected issuers, including us, and the market price of the ADSs could be adversely affected. In addition, enactment of these legislations may result in prohibitions on the trading of our ADSs on the NYSE, if our auditors fail to meet the PCAOB inspection requirement in time. It is unclear if and when any of the proposed legislation will be enacted.
The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, may be required in connection with this offering under a PRC regulation. The regulation also establishes more complex procedures for acquisitions conducted by foreign investors that could make it more difficult for us to grow through acquisitions.
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the MOFCOM, the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration of Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, currently known as the SAMR, the CSRC, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or the SAFE, jointly adopted the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, which came into effect on September 8, 2006 and were amended on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules include, among other things, provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle that is controlled by PRC domestic companies or individuals and that has been formed for the purpose of an overseas listing of securities through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies or assets to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicles securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website procedures regarding its approval of overseas listings by special purpose vehicles. However, substantial uncertainty remains regarding the scope and applicability of the M&A Rules to offshore special purpose vehicles.
While the application of the M&A Rules remains unclear, we believe, based on the advice of our PRC legal counsel, Fangda Partners, that the CSRC approval is not required in the context of this offering because our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries were incorporated as FIEs by means of foreign direct investments rather than by merger with or acquisition of any PRC domestic companies as defined under the M&A Rules. There can be no assurance that the relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as our PRC legal counsel. If the CSRC or other PRC regulatory body subsequently determines that we need to obtain the CSRCs approval for this offering or if the CSRC or any other PRC government authorities promulgates any interpretation or implements rules before our listing that would require us to obtain CSRC or other governmental approvals for this offering, we may face adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. In any such event, these regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from
49
this offering into the PRC or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as our ability to complete this offering. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before settlement and delivery of the ADSs offered by this prospectus. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that such settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring us to obtain their approvals for this offering, we may be unable to obtain waivers of such approval requirements. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding such approval requirements could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of the ADSs.
These regulations also established additional procedures and requirements that are expected to make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. For example, the M&A rules require that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise if (i) any important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that have or may have impact on the national economic security, or (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise which holds a famous trademark or PRC time-honored brand. The approval from the MOFCOM shall be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies. Mergers, acquisitions or contractual arrangements that allow one market player to take control of or to exert decisive impact on another market player must also be notified in advance to the anti-monopoly authority under the State Council when the threshold under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings, or the Prior Notification Rules, issued by the State Council in August 2008 and amended in September 2018, is triggered. In addition, the security review rules issued by the MOFCOM that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise national defense and security concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise national security concerns are subject to strict review by the MOFCOM, and the rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. We may grow our business in part by acquiring other companies operating in our industry. Complying with the requirements of the new regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including approval from the MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share. See RegulationsM&A Rules and Overseas Listings.
PRC regulations relating to investments in offshore companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC-resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries or limit our PRC subsidiaries ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits.
PRC residents are subject to restrictions and filing requirements when investing in offshore companies. The SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, on July 4, 2014. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of the SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular 37 as a special purpose vehicle. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, control refers to the act through which a PRC resident obtains the right to carry out business operation of, to gain proceeds from or to make decisions on a special purpose vehicle by means of, among others, shareholding entrustment arrangement. SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange
50
activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls. According to the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Policies for the Foreign Exchange Administration of Direct Investment released on February 13, 2015 by the SAFE, local banks will examine and handle foreign exchange registration for overseas direct investment, including the initial foreign exchange registration and amendment registration, under SAFE Circular 37 from June 1, 2015.
We may not be aware of the identities of all of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents. We do not have control over our beneficial owners and there can be no assurance that all of our PRC-resident beneficial owners will comply with SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules, and there is no assurance that the registration under SAFE Circular 37 and any amendment will be completed in a timely manner, or will be completed at all. The failure of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents to register or amend their foreign exchange registrations in a timely manner pursuant to SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules, or the failure of future beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents to comply with the registration procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules, may subject such beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to fines and legal sanctions. Failure to register or comply with relevant requirements may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries and limit our PRC subsidiaries ability to distribute dividends to our company. These risks may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding our employee share incentive plan may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plans in overseas non-publicly-listed companies due to their position as director, senior management or employees of the PRC subsidiaries of the overseas companies may submit applications to SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose companies before they obtain the incentive shares or exercise the share options. Our directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC residents and who have been granted options may follow SAFE Circular 37 to apply for the foreign exchange registration before our company becomes an overseas listed company. After our company becomes an overseas listed company upon completion of this offering, we and our directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC residents and who have been granted options will be subject to the Notice on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly Listed Company, issued by SAFE in February 2012, according to which, employees, directors, supervisors and other management members participating in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company who are PRC residents are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. We will make efforts to comply with these requirements. However, there can be no assurance that they can successfully register with SAFE in full compliance with the rules. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may subject them to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit the ability to make payment under our share incentive plan or receive dividends or sales proceeds related thereto, or our ability to contribute additional capital into our wholly-foreign owned enterprise in China and limit our wholly-foreign owned enterprises ability to distribute dividends to us. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional share incentive plans for our directors and employees under PRC law.
We rely to a significant extent on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our principal operating subsidiaries to fund offshore cash and financing requirements. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC operating subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
We are a holding company and rely to a significant extent on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our principal operating subsidiaries, for our offshore cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders, fund inter-company loans,
51
service any debt we may incur outside of China and pay our expenses. When our principal operating subsidiaries incur additional debt, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions or remittances to us. Furthermore, the laws, rules and regulations applicable to our PRC subsidiaries and certain other subsidiaries permit payments of dividends only out of their retained earnings, if any, determined in accordance with applicable accounting standards and regulations.
Under PRC laws, rules and regulations, each of our subsidiaries incorporated in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its net income each year to fund certain statutory reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of its registered capital. These reserves, together with the registered capital, are not distributable as cash dividends. As a result of these laws, rules and regulations, our subsidiaries incorporated in China are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their respective net assets to their shareholders as dividends, loans or advances. Certain of our subsidiaries did not have any retained earnings available for distribution in the form of dividends as of December 31, 2019. In addition, registered capital and capital reserve accounts are also restricted from withdrawal in the PRC, up to the amount of net assets held in each operating subsidiary.
We may be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, and we may therefore be subject to PRC income tax on our global income.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementing rules, enterprises established under the laws of jurisdictions outside of China with de facto management bodies located in China may be considered PRC tax resident enterprises for tax purposes and may be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their global income. De facto management body refers to a managing body that exercises substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting and assets of an enterprise. The State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore-Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or Circular 82, on April 22, 2009, which was most recently amended on December 29, 2017. Circular 82 provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the de facto management body of a Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprise is located in China. Although Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises, not those controlled by foreign enterprises or individuals, the determining criteria set forth in Circular 82 may reflect the State Administration of Taxations general position on how the de facto management body test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises. If we were to be considered a PRC resident enterprise, we would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on our global income. In such case, our profitability and cash flow may be materially reduced as a result of our global income being taxed under the Enterprise Income Tax Law. We believe that none of our entities outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term de facto management body.
Dividends paid to our foreign investors and gains on the sale of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by our foreign investors may become subject to PRC tax.
Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation regulations issued by the State Council, a 10% PRC withholding tax is applicable to dividends paid to investors that are non-resident enterprises, which do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or which have such establishment or place of business but the dividends are not effectively connected with such establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC. Any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by such investors is also subject to PRC tax at a current rate of 10%, if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC. If we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid on our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs, and any gain realized from the transfer of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs, would be treated as income derived from sources within the PRC and would as a result be subject to PRC taxation. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to individual investors who are non-PRC residents and any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by such investors may be subject to PRC tax (which in the case of dividends may be withheld at source) at a rate of 20%. Any PRC
52
tax liability may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty. However, if we or any of our subsidiaries established outside China are considered a PRC resident enterprise, it is unclear whether holders of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares would be able to claim the benefit of income tax treaties or agreements entered into between China and other countries or areas. If dividends paid to our non-PRC investors, or gains from the transfer of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by such investors, are deemed as income derived from sources within the PRC and thus are subject to PRC tax, the value of your investment in the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares may decline significantly.
We and our shareholders face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises or other assets attributed to a Chinese establishment of a non-Chinese company, or immovable properties located in China owned by non-Chinese companies.
On February 3, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Bulletin on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or Bulletin 7. Pursuant to this Bulletin 7, an indirect transfer of assets, including non-publicly traded equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, by non-PRC resident enterprises may be re-characterized and treated as a direct transfer of PRC taxable assets, if such arrangement does not have a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of avoiding payment of PRC enterprise income tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax. According to Bulletin 7, PRC taxable assets include assets attributed to an establishment in China, immovable properties located in China, and equity investments in PRC resident enterprises, in respect of which gains from their transfer by a direct holder, being a non-PRC resident enterprise, would be subject to PRC enterprise income taxes. When determining whether there is a reasonable commercial purpose of the transaction arrangement, features to be taken into consideration include, without limitation: whether the main value of the equity interest of the relevant offshore enterprise derives from PRC taxable assets; whether the assets of the relevant offshore enterprise mainly consists of direct or indirect investment in China or if its income mainly derives from China; whether the offshore enterprise and its subsidiaries directly or indirectly holding PRC taxable assets have real commercial nature which is evidenced by their actual function and risk exposure; the duration of existence of the business model and organizational structure; the replicability of the transaction by direct transfer of PRC taxable assets; and the tax situation of such indirect transfer and applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements. In respect of an indirect offshore transfer of assets of a PRC establishment, the resulting gain is to be included with the enterprise income tax filing of the PRC establishment or place of business being transferred, and would consequently be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Where the underlying transfer relates to the immovable properties located in China or to equity investments in a PRC resident enterprise, which is not related to a PRC establishment or place of business of a non-resident enterprise, a PRC enterprise income tax of 10% would apply, subject to available preferential tax treatment under applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements, and the party who is obligated to make the transfer payments has the withholding obligation. Bulletin 7 does not apply to transactions of sale of shares by investors through a public stock exchange where such shares were acquired from a transaction through a public stock exchange. On October 17, 2017, the State Administration of Taxation promulgated the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Circular 37, which became effective on December 1, 2017 and was most recently amended on June 15, 2018. SAT Circular 37, among other things, simplified procedures of withholding and payment of income tax levied on non-resident enterprises.
We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries or investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions under Bulletin 7 and SAT Circular 37. For transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under Bulletin 7 and SAT Circular 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Bulletin 7 and SAT Circular 37 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these
53
publications, or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these publications, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to restrictions on currency exchange.
All of our revenue is denominated in Renminbi. The Renminbi is currently convertible under the current account, which includes dividends, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not under the capital account, which includes foreign direct investment and loans, including loans we may secure from our PRC subsidiaries. Currently, our PRC subsidiaries may purchase foreign currency for settlement of current account transactions, including payment of dividends to us, by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, the relevant PRC governmental authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to purchase foreign currencies in the future for current account transactions. Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account remain subject to limitations and require approvals from, or registration with, the SAFE and other relevant PRC governmental authorities. Since a significant amount of our future revenue and cash flow will be denominated in Renminbi, any existing and future restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize cash generated in Renminbi to fund our business activities outside of the PRC or pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of the ADSs, and may limit our ability to obtain foreign currency through debt or equity financing for our onshore subsidiaries.
PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries.
In utilizing the proceeds of this offering, we, as an offshore holding company, are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries, which are treated as foreign-invested enterprises under PRC laws, through loans or capital contributions. However, loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE and capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to the requirement of making necessary registration with competent governmental authorities in China.
SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015. According to Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of banks loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. Circular 19 and Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from this offering, to our PRC subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.
On October 23, 2019, SAFE promulgated the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or SAFE Circular 28, which permits non-investment foreign-invested enterprises to use their capital funds to make equity investments in China, with genuine investment projects and in compliance with effective foreign investment restrictions and other applicable
54
laws. However, as the SAFE Circular 28 was newly issued, there are still substantial uncertainties as to its interpretation and implementations in practice.
In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. As a result, uncertainties exist as to our ability to provide prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiaries when needed. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use foreign currency, including the proceeds we received from this offering, and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses and could materially reduce the value of your investment.
The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions and the foreign exchange policy adopted by the PRC government. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. Following the removal of the U.S. dollar peg, the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. On November 30, 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund, completed the regular five-year review of the basket of currencies that make up the Special Drawing Right, or the SDR, and decided that with effect from October 1, 2016, Renminbi is determined to be a freely usable currency and will be included in the SDR basket as a fifth currency, along with the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Renminbi has depreciated significantly in the backdrop of a surging U.S. dollar and persistent capital outflows of China. With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system, and we cannot assure you that the Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.
Most of our revenue and costs are denominated in Renminbi. We are a holding company and we rely on dividends paid by our operating subsidiaries in China for our cash needs. Any significant revaluation of Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial position reported in Renminbi when translated into U.S. dollars, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, the ADSs in U.S. dollars. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from this offering into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount.
The ability of U.S. authorities to bring actions for violations of U.S. securities law and regulations against us, our directors, executive officers or the expert named in this prospectus may be limited. Therefore, you may not be afforded the same protection as provided to investors in U.S. domestic companies.
The SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice, or the DOJ, and other U.S. authorities often have substantial difficulties in bringing and enforcing actions against non-U.S. companies such as us, and non-U.S. persons, such as our directors and executive officers in China. Due to jurisdictional limitations, matters of comity and various other factors, the SEC, the DOJ and other U.S. authorities may be limited in their ability to pursue bad actors, including in instances of fraud, in emerging markets such as China. We conduct our operations mainly in China and our assets are mainly located in China. In addition, a majority of our directors and executive officers reside within China. There are significant legal and other obstacles for U.S. authorities to obtain information needed for
55
investigations or litigation against us or our directors, executive officers or other gatekeepers in case we or any of these individuals engage in fraud or other wrongdoing. In addition, local authorities in China may be constrained in their ability to assist U.S. authorities and overseas investors in connection with legal proceedings. As a result, if we, our directors, executive officers or other gatekeepers commit any securities law violation, fraud or other financial misconduct, the U.S. authorities may not be able to conduct effective investigations or bring and enforce actions against us, our directors, executive officers or other gatekeepers. Therefore, you may not be able to enjoy the same protection provided by various U.S. authorities as it is provided to investors in U.S. domestic companies.
You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions in China, based on United States or other foreign laws, against us, our directors, executive officers or the expert named in this prospectus. Therefore, you may not be able to enjoy the protection of such laws in an effective manner.
We conduct our operations mainly in China, and our assets are mainly located in China. In addition, a majority of our directors and executive officers reside within China. As a result, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the United States or elsewhere outside China upon us, our directors and executive officers, including with respect to matters arising under U.S. federal securities laws or applicable state securities laws. Even if you obtain a judgment against us, our directors, executive officers or the expert named in this prospectus in a U.S. court or other court outside China, you may not be able to enforce such judgment against us or them in China. China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan or most other western countries. Therefore, recognition and enforcement in China of judgments of a court in any of these jurisdictions may be difficult or impossible. In addition, you may not be able to bring original actions in China based on the U.S. or other foreign laws against us, our directors, executive officers or the expert named in this prospectus. As a result, shareholder claims that are common in the U.S., including class actions based on securities law and fraud claims, are difficult or impossible to pursue as a matter of law and practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the local authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States have not been efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Accordingly, without the consent of the competent PRC securities regulators and relevant authorities, no organization or individual may provide the documents and materials relating to securities business activities to overseas parties. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law is not yet available, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase difficulties faced by investors in protecting your interests. Therefore, you may not be able to effectively enjoy the protection offered by the U.S. laws and regulations that are intended to protect public investors.
Additional remedial measures could be imposed on certain PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, in administrative proceedings instituted by the SEC, as a result of which our financial statements may be determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, if at all
In December 2012, the SEC brought administrative proceedings against the PRC-based big four accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, alleging that they had violated U.S. securities laws by failing to provide audit work papers and other documents related to certain other PRC-based companies under investigation by the SEC. On January 22, 2014, an initial administrative law decision was issued, censuring and suspending these accounting firms from practicing before the SEC for a
56
period of six months. The decision was neither final nor legally effective until reviewed and approved by the SEC, and on February 12, 2014, the PRC-based accounting firms appealed to the SEC against this decision. In February 2015, each of the four PRC-based accounting firms agreed to a censure and to pay a fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC. The settlement required the firms to follow detailed procedures to seek to provide the SEC with access to such firms audit documents via the CSRC. If the firms did not follow these procedures or if there is a failure in the process between the SEC and the CSRC, the SEC could impose penalties such as suspensions, or it could restart the administrative proceedings. Under the terms of the settlement, the underlying proceeding against the four PRC-based accounting firms was deemed dismissed with prejudice four years after entry of the settlement. The four-year mark occurred on February 6, 2019. While we cannot predict if the SEC will further challenge the four PRC-based accounting firms compliance with U.S. law in connection with U.S. regulatory requests for audit work papers or if the results of such challenge would result in the SEC imposing penalties such as suspensions.
In the event that the PRC-based big four accounting firms become subject to additional legal challenges by the SEC or PCAOB, depending upon the final outcome, listed companies in the U.S. with major PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect of their operations in the PRC, which could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, including possible delisting. Moreover, any negative news about any such future proceedings against these audit firms may cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, U.S.-listed companies and the market price of the ADSs may be adversely affected.
If our independent registered public accounting firm were denied, even temporarily, the ability to practice before the SEC and we were unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our consolidated financial statements, our consolidated financial statements could be determined not to be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Such a determination could ultimately lead to the delay or abandonment of this offering, delisting of the ADSs from the NYSE or deregistration from the SEC, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of the ADSs in the U.S.
Risks Relating to This Offering
There has been no public market for our shares or the ADSs prior to this offering, and you may not be able to resell the ADSs at or above the price you paid, or at all.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our shares or ADSs. We [will apply] for approval of the ADSs representing Class A ordinary shares for listing on the NYSE. Our Class A ordinary shares will not be listed on any exchange or quoted for trading on any over-the-counter trading system. If an active trading market for the ADSs does not develop after this offering, the market price and liquidity of the ADSs will be materially and adversely affected.
Negotiations with the underwriters will determine the initial public offering price for the ADSs which may bear no relationship to their market price after the initial public offering. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for the ADSs will develop or that the market price of the ADSs will not decline below the initial public offering price.
The trading price of the ADSs may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to you.
The trading prices of the ADSs are likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, like the performance and fluctuation in the market prices or the underperformance or deteriorating financial results of other listed companies based in China. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial price declines in the trading prices of their securities. The trading performances of other Chinese companies securities after their offerings, including technology companies, may
57
affect the attitudes of investors toward Chinese companies listed in the U.S., which consequently may impact the trading performance of the ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or matters of other Chinese companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have conducted any inappropriate activities. Furthermore, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to our operating performance, such as the large decline in share prices in the U.S., China and other jurisdictions in late 2008, early 2009, the second half of 2011, 2015 and the first quarter of 2020. In particular, concerns about the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak have triggered significant price fluctuations in the U.S. stock market. All these fluctuations and incidents may have a material and adverse effect on the trading price of the ADSs.
In addition to the above factors, the price and trading volume of the ADSs may be highly volatile due to multiple factors, including the following:
| regulatory developments affecting us or our industry; |
| announcements of studies and reports relating to the quality of our product offerings or those of our competitors; |
| changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other providers of electric vehicles; |
| actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations and changes or revisions of our expected results; |
| changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts; |
| conditions in the EV market in China; |
| announcements by us or our competitors of new product and service offerings, acquisitions, strategic relationships, joint ventures, capital raisings or capital commitments; |
| additions to or departures of our senior management; |
| fluctuations of exchange rates between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar; |
| release or expiry of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our issued shares or ADSs; and |
| sales or perceived potential sales of additional Class A ordinary shares or ADSs. |
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for the ADSs and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for the ADSs will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades the ADSs or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for the ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for the ADSs to decline.
As our initial public offering price is substantially higher than our net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.
If you purchase ADSs in this offering, you will pay more for your ADSs than the amount paid by our existing shareholders for their ordinary shares on a per ADS basis. As a result, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution of approximately US$ per ADS (assuming no exercise of outstanding options to acquire ordinary shares and no exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional ADSs), representing
58
the difference between our pro forma net tangible book value per ADS of US$ , as of , 2020, after giving effect to this offering, and the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS. In addition, you will experience further dilution to the extent that our Class A ordinary shares are issued upon the vesting of the RSUs under our share incentive plan. Class A ordinary shares issuable under our share incentive plan may be issued at a purchase price on a per ADS basis that is less than the public offering price per ADS in this offering. See Dilution for a more complete description of how the value of your investment in the ADSs will be diluted upon completion of this offering.
Because we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future after this offering, you may not receive any return on your investment unless you sell your Class A ordinary shares or ADSs for a price greater than that which you paid for them.
We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings after this offering to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. See Dividend Policy. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in the ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.
Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in the ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of the ADSs. There is no guarantee that the ADSs will appreciate in value after this offering or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in the ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in the ADSs.
Substantial future sales or perceived potential sales of the ADSs in the public market could cause the price of the ADSs to decline.
Sales of the ADSs in the public market after this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of the ADSs to decline significantly. Upon completion of this offering, we will have Class A ordinary shares and 429,846,136 Class B ordinary shares outstanding, including Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs newly issued in connection with this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. We, our directors, executive officers, and existing shareholders have agreed not to sell any Class A ordinary shares or ADSs for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions. All ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares sold in this offering are expected to be freely transferable by persons other than our affiliates without restriction or additional registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. All of the other ordinary shares outstanding after this offering will be available for sale, upon the expiration of the lock-up periods described above, subject to volume and other restrictions as applicable under Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act. Any or all of these ordinary shares may be released prior to the expiration of the applicable lock-up period at the discretion of the designated representatives. To the extent shares are released before the expiration of the applicable lock-up period and sold into the market, the market price of the ADSs could decline significantly. See Shares Eligible for Future SaleLock-up Agreements.
Certain major holders of our ordinary shares after completion of this offering will have the right to cause us to register under the Securities Act the sale of their shares, subject to the applicable lock-up periods in connection with this offering. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in ADSs representing these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration. Sales of ADSs representing these registered shares in the public market could cause the price of the ADSs to decline significantly.
59
You, as holders of ADSs, may have fewer rights than holders of our Class A ordinary shares and must act through the depositary to exercise those rights.
Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights of our shareholders and may only exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under our seventh amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the minimum notice period required to convene a general meeting will be seven days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders meeting to permit you to withdraw your Class A ordinary shares to allow you to cast your vote with respect to any specific matter. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting materials to you or carry out your voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but there can be no assurance that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your ADSs. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if your ADSs are not voted as you requested. In addition, in your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to call a shareholders meeting.
Your rights to pursue claims against the depositary as a holder of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement and the deposit agreement may be amended or terminated without your consent.
Under the deposit agreement, any action or proceeding against or involving the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby or by virtue of owning the ADSs (including any such action or proceeding that may arise under the Securities Act or Ex-change Act) may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and you, as a holder of our ADSs, will have irrevocably waived any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or proceeding. Also, we may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended, unless such amendment is found to be invalid under any applicable laws, including the federal securities law. See Description of American De-positary Shares for more information.
Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings.
We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to you in the U.S. unless we register both the distribution and sale of the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not make rights available to you unless both the distribution and sale of the rights and the underlying securities to be distributed to ADS holders are either registered under the Securities Act or exempt from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective and we may not be able to establish a necessary exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings in the future and may experience dilution in your holdings.
You may not receive cash dividends or other distributions if the depositary determines it is illegal or impractical to make them available to you.
The depositary will pay cash distribution on the ADSs only to the extent that we decide to distribute dividends on our Class A ordinary shares or other deposited securities, and we do not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. See Dividend Policy. To the extent that there is a distribution,
60
the depositary of the ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our Class A ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of Class A ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary may, at its discretion, decide that it is illegal or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, the depositary may determine that it is not practicable to distribute certain property through the mail, or that the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may decide not to distribute such property to you.
We will incur increased costs and become subject to additional regulations and requirements as a result of becoming a public company, which could lower our profits or make it more difficult to run our business.
Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public company and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and NYSE, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies.
We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. In addition, once we are no longer an emerging growth company, we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we will need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We also expect that operating as a public company will make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate with any degree of certainty the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.
As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in net revenues for our last financial year, we qualify as an emerging growth company pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth companys internal control over financial reporting and permission to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. Once we are no longer an emerging growth company, we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC.
In the past, shareholders of a public company often brought securities class action suits against companies following periods of instability in the market price of those companies securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our managements attention and other resources from our business and operations, which could harm our results of operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties.
61
In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deems it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
Our seventh amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us, which could limit our shareholders opportunity to sell their shares, including ordinary shares represented by the ADSs, at a premium.
We have adopted the seventh amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to be effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering that contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. For example, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our Class A ordinary shares, in the form of ADS or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of the ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, our seventh amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain other provisions that could limit the ability of third parties to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in a transaction resulting in a change of control, including a provision that entitles each Class B ordinary share to [10] votes in respect of all matters subject to a shareholders vote.
Our seventh amended and restated articles of association provide that the courts of the Cayman Islands and the U.S. federal courts will be the exclusive forums for substantially all disputes between us and our shareholders, which could limit our shareholders ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for complaints against us or our directors, officers or employees.
Our seventh amended and restated articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering provide that, unless otherwise agreed by us, (i) the federal courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear, settle and/or determine any dispute, controversy or claim arising under the provisions of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, which are referred to as the US Actions; and (ii) save for such US Actions, the courts of the Cayman Islands shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear, settle and/or determine any dispute, controversy or claim whether arising out of or in connection with our articles of association or otherwise, including without limitation:
| any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our company, |
| any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our director, officer or other employee to our company or our shareholders, |
| any action asserting a claim under any provision of the Companies Law (Revised) of the Cayman Islands or our articles of association, or |
| any action asserting a claim against our company which if brought in the United States would be a claim arising under the internal affairs doctrine (as such concept is recognized under the laws of the United State). |
These exclusive-forum provisions may increase a shareholders cost and limit the shareholders ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other
62
employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any of our shares or other security, such as the ADSs, whether by transfer, sale, operation of law or otherwise, shall be deemed to have notice of and have irrevocably agreed and consented to these provisions. There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provisions, and the enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies charter documents has been challenged in legal proceedings. It is possible that a court could find this type of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable, and if a court were to find this provision in our seventh amended and restated articles of association to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, which could have adverse effect on our business and financial performance.
ADS holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
The deposit agreement governing our ADSs provides that, to the extent permitted by law, holders of our ADSs waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under U.S. federal securities laws. However, you will not be deemed, by agreeing to the terms of the deposit agreement, to have waived our or the depositarys compliance with U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
If we or the depositary oppose a jury trial demand based on the above-mentioned jury trial waiver, the court will determine whether the waiver is enforceable in the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable case law. The deposit agreement governing our ADSs provides that, (i) the deposit agreement and the ADSs will be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, and (ii) as an owner of ADSs, you irrevocably agree that any legal action arising out of the deposit agreement and the ADSs involving us or the depositary may only be instituted in a state or federal court in the city of New York. While to our knowledge, the enforceability of a jury trial waiver under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by a federal court, we believe that a jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable under the laws of the State of New York by a federal or state court in the City of New York. In determining whether to enforce a jury trial waiver provision, New York courts will consider whether the visibility of the jury trial waiver provision within the agreement is sufficiently prominent such that a party has knowingly waived any right to trial by jury. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. In addition, New York courts will not enforce a jury trial waiver provision in order to bar a viable setoff or counterclaim sounding in fraud or one which is based upon a creditors negligence in failing to liquidate collateral upon a guarantors demand, or in the case of an intentional tort claim, none of which we believe are applicable in the case of the deposit agreement or the ADSs. If you or any other holder or beneficial owner of ADSs brings a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us and / or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us and / or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action, depending on, among other things, the nature of the claims, the judge or justice hearing such claims and the venue of the hearing.
Moreover, as the jury trial waiver relates to claims arising out of or relating to the ADSs or the deposit agreement, we believe that, as a matter of construction of the clause, the waiver would likely to continue to apply to ADS holders who withdraw the Class A ordinary shares from the ADS facility with respect to claims arising before the cancellation of the ADSs and the withdrawal of the Class A ordinary shares, and the waiver would most likely not apply to ADS holders who subsequently withdraw the Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs from the ADS facility with respect to claims arising after the withdrawal. However, to our knowledge, there has been no case law on the applicability of the jury trial waiver to ADS holders who withdraw the Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs from the ADS facility.
63
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.
We are an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law, Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the U.S. In particular, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws than the U.S. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors will have discretion under the seventh amended and restated memorandum and articles of association expected to be effective immediately prior to completion of this offering, to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder resolution or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the U.S. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law, Cap 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see Description of Share CapitalDifferences in Corporate Law.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.
Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the U.S. that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including: (i) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K; (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; (iii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and (iv) the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.
We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the NYSE. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
64
We will be a controlled company as defined under the NYSE Listed Company Manual. As a result, we will qualify for, and may rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that would otherwise provide protection to shareholders of other companies.
Upon the completion of this offering, we will be a controlled company as defined under NYSE Listed Company Manual, because Mr. Xiaopeng He, our co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer, will be able to exercise % of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding shares, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. For so long as we remain a controlled company, we may rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance rules, including (i) the requirement that a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors, (ii) the requirement that the compensation of our officers be determined or recommended to our board of directors by a compensation committee that is comprised solely of independent directors, and (iii) the requirement that director nominees be selected or recommended to the board of directors by a majority of independent directors or a nominating committee comprised solely of independent directors. Currently, we do not plan to utilize the exemptions available for controlled companies after we complete this offering, but will rely on the exemption available for foreign private issuers to follow our home country governance practices instead. See We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies. If we cease to be a foreign private issuer or if we cannot rely on the home country governance practice exemption for any reason, we may decide to invoke the exemptions available for a controlled company as long as we remain a controlled company. As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all the NYSE corporate governance requirements.
We are an emerging growth company and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, most significantly, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as we are an emerging growth company. As a result, our investors may not have access to certain information they may deem important.
The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. However, we have elected to opt out of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.
If we are a passive foreign investment company for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, United States holders of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares could be subject to adverse United States federal income tax consequences.
A non-United States corporation will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. A separate determination must be made after the close of each taxable year as to whether a non-United States corporation is a PFIC for that year. Based on the past and projected composition of our income and assets, and the valuation of our assets, including goodwill (which we have determined based on the expected price of our ADSs in this offering), we do not believe we were a PFIC for our most recent taxable year, and we do not expect to become a PFIC in the current taxable year or in the foreseeable future, although there can be no assurance in this regard.
It is possible that we may become a PFIC in the current or any future taxable year due to changes in our asset or income composition. The composition of our assets and income may be affected by how, and how
65
quickly, we use our liquid assets and the cash raised in this offering. Because we have valued our goodwill based on the expected market value of our ADSs, a decrease in the price of our ADSs may also result in our becoming a PFIC.
In addition, there is uncertainty as to the treatment of our corporate structure and ownership of our consolidated VIEs for United States federal income tax purposes. For United States federal income tax purposes, we consider ourselves to own the equity of our consolidated VIEs. If it is determined, contrary to our view, that we do not own the equity of our consolidated VIEs for United States federal income tax purposes (for instance, because the relevant PRC authorities do not respect these arrangements), we may be treated as a PFIC. Moreover, the application of the 75% gross income test described above is not entirely clear when a company has a gross loss from sales (sales less cost of goods sold), although we believe that even if we have such a gross loss from sales, we will not be a PFIC if the gross loss from sales exceeds our other income and we would not otherwise be a PFIC under the 50% asset test for the relevant taxable year. There can be no assurance, however, that the Internal Revenue Service will not take a contrary position.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a United States person holds ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, certain adverse United States federal income tax consequences could apply to such United States person. See TaxationCertain United States Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsPassive Foreign Investment Company.
As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the NYSE corporate governance listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
We are a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and we have applied for listing of the ADSs on the NYSE. The NYSE market rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
Among other things, we are not required to: (i) have a majority of the board be independent; (ii) have a compensation committee or a nominating and corporate governance committee consisting entirely of independent directors; (iii) have a minimum of three members on the audit committee; (iv) obtain shareholders approval for issuance of securities in certain situations; or (v) have regularly scheduled executive sessions with only independent directors each year.
We intend to rely on the first four exemptions described above. As a result, you may not be provided with the benefits of certain corporate governance requirements of the NYSE.
66
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INDUSTRY DATA
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled Prospectus Summary, Risk Factors, Use of Proceeds, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Industry Overview and Business. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as may, will, expect, anticipate, aim, estimate, intend, plan, believe, potential, continue, is/are likely to or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus relate to, among others:
| our goal and strategies; |
| our expansion plans; |
| our future business development, financial condition and results of operations; |
| expected changes in our revenues, costs or expenditures; |
| the trends in, and size of, Chinas EV market; |
| our expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, our products and services; |
| our expectations regarding our relationships with customers, contract manufacturer, suppliers, third-party service providers, strategic partners and other stakeholders; |
| competition in our industry; |
| our expectation regarding the use of proceeds from this offering; |
| PRC laws, regulations, and policies relating to the EV market; and |
| general economic and business conditions. |
This prospectus also contains market data relating to the EV market in China, including market position, market size, and growth rates of the markets in which we participate, that are based on industry publications and reports. This prospectus contains statistical data and estimates published by IHS Global Inc., including a report which we commissioned IHS Global Inc. to prepare and for which we paid a fee. This information involves a number of assumptions, estimates and limitations. These industry publications, surveys and forecasts generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. Nothing in such data should be construed as advice. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data contained in these industry publications and reports. The EV market in China may not grow at the rates projected by market data, or at all. The failure of these markets to grow at the projected rates may have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of the ADSs. If any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data turns out to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the industry in which we operate is necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in Risk Factors and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus and the documents
67
that we have referred to in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
68
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$ million, or approximately US$ million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us and based upon an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS (the mid-point of the estimated initial public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus). A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by US$ million, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us and assuming no change to the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:
| up to approximately US$ million for research and development of our Smart EVs and technologies; |
| up to approximately US$ million for selling and marketing and expansion of sales channels; and |
| the balance for general corporate purposes, including working capital needs. |
The foregoing represents our intentions as of the date of this prospectus with respect of the use and allocation of the net proceeds of this offering based upon our present plans and business conditions, but our management will have significant flexibility and discretion in applying the net proceeds of the offering. The occurrence of unforeseen events or changed business conditions may result in application of the proceeds of this offering in a manner other than as described in this prospectus.
To the extent that the net proceeds we receive from this offering are not immediately applied for the above purposes, we intend to invest our net proceeds in short-term, interest bearing, debt instruments or bank deposits.
In utilizing the proceeds of this offering, we, as an offshore holding company, are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions and to our consolidated VIEs only through loans. Subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements, we may extend inter-company loans to our PRC subsidiaries or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries to fund their capital expenditures or working capital. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. For further information, see Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Doing Business in ChinaPRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries.
69
Since inception, we have not declared or paid any dividends on our shares. We do not have any present plan to declare or pay any dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
Any other future determination to pay dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. In either case, all dividends are subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if we decide to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount may be based on a number of factors, including our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.
If we pay any dividends on our ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such Class A ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to the ADS holders in proportion to the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs held by such ADS holders, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, net of the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See Description of American Depositary Shares. Cash dividends on our Class A ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.
We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. In order for us to distribute any dividends to our shareholders, we may rely on dividends distributed by our PRC subsidiaries for our cash requirements. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. For example, certain payments from our PRC subsidiaries to us may be subject to PRC withholding income tax. In addition, regulations in the PRC currently permit payment of dividends of a PRC company only out of accumulated distributable after-tax profits as determined in accordance with its articles of association and the accounting standards and regulations in China. Each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards every year to a statutory common reserve fund until the aggregate amount of such reserve fund reaches 50% of the registered capital of such subsidiary. Such statutory reserves are not distributable as loans, advances or cash dividends. See Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Doing Business in ChinaWe rely to a significant extent on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our principal operating subsidiaries to fund offshore cash and financing requirements. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC operating subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
70
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents, short-term borrowings, current portion of long-term borrowings and capitalization as of June 30, 2020 presented on:
| an actual basis; |
| a pro forma basis to give effect to (i) the automatic conversion of 80,546,975 preferred shares outstanding as of June 30, 2020 into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; and (ii) the automatic conversion of 488,212,595 remaining preferred shares outstanding as of June 30, 2020 into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; and |
| a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to (i) the issuance of 207,588,515 Series C preferred shares in the third quarter of 2020; (ii) the automatic conversion of 98,611,761 preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; (iii) the automatic conversion of 703,121,624 remaining preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; and (iv) the issuance and sale of the Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs offered hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming no exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional ADSs. |
71
The pro forma and pro forma as adjusted information below is illustrative only and our capitalization following the closing of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the initial public offering price of the ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this table in conjunction with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
As of June 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | Pro Forma | Pro Forma as Adjusted(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
1,061,209 | 150,204 | 1,061,209 | 150,204 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Short-term borrowings |
277,465 | 39,273 | 277,465 | 39,273 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term borrowings |
60,000 | 8,492 | 60,000 | 8,492 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Long-term borrowings, less current portion |
1,689,980 | 239,201 | 1,689,980 | 239,201 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Convertible redeemable preferred shares, US$0.00001 par value per share, 757,200,350 shares authorized, 594,144,870 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted |
11,598,502 | 1,641,661 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Shareholders (deficit) equity: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A ordinary shares, US$0.00001 par value per share, 3,492,799,650 shares authorized, 82,505,470 shares issued and 31,513,000 shares outstanding, actual; 3,492,799,650 shares authorized, and 545,110,895 shares outstanding, pro forma; and 3,443,671,015 shares authorized, and shares outstanding, pro forma as adjusted |
2 | | 38 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Class B ordinary shares, US$0.00001 par value per share, 750,000,000 shares authorized, 331,234,375 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 750,000,000 shares authorized, and 411,781,350 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; and 750,000,000 shares authorized, and shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted |
19 | 3 | 25 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
| | 11,987,890 | 1,696,775 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(8,903,117 | ) | (1,260,154 | ) | (8,903,117 | ) | (1,260,154 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(21,347 | ) | (3,022 | ) | (21,347 | ) | (3,022 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total shareholders (deficit) equity |
(8,924,443 | ) | (1,263,173 | ) | 3,063,489 | 433,608 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total capitalization(2) |
4,364,039 | 617,689 | 4,753,469 | 672,809 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, the amount of each of our pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders (deficit) equity and total capitalization by approximately US$ million, assuming that the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us. Similarly, each increase or |
72
decrease of 1.0 million ADSs offered by us would increase or decrease, as applicable, the amount of each of our pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders (deficit) equity and total capitalization by approximately US$ million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us. |
(2) | Total capitalization equals the sum of long-term borrowings less current portion, mezzanine equity (convertible redeemable preferred shares) and shareholders (deficit) equity. |
If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, each of our pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders (deficit) equity, total capitalization and pro forma as adjusted shares of Class A ordinary shares outstanding as of June 30, 2020 would be US$ million, US$ million, US$ million, US$ million, US$ million and Class A ordinary shares, respectively.
73
If you invest in our ADSs, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ADS and our net tangible book value per ADS after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the initial public offering price per Class A ordinary share is substantially in excess of the book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently issued ordinary shares and holders of our preferred shares which will automatically convert into our ordinary shares upon the completion of this offering.
Our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2020 was approximately US$291.7 million, or US$0.80 per ordinary share as of that date, and US$ per ADS. Net tangible book value represents the amount of our total consolidated assets, less the amount of our intangible assets, goodwill and total consolidated liabilities. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share, after giving effect to (i) the issuance of 207,588,515 Series C preferred shares in the third quarter of 2020; (ii) the automatic conversion of 98,611,761 preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; (iii) the automatic conversion of 703,121,624 remaining preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; and (iv) the issuance and sale by us of shares represented by ADSs in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS (the mid-point of the estimated initial public offering price range shown on the front cover page of this prospectus) after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. As Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares are entitled to the same rights, except for voting and conversion rights, the dilution is presented based on all issued and outstanding ordinary shares, including Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares.
Without taking into account any other changes in net tangible book value after June 30, 2020, other than to give effect to (i) the issuance of 207,588,515 Series C preferred shares in the third quarter of 2020; (ii) the automatic conversion of 98,611,761 preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; (iii) the automatic conversion of 703,121,624 remaining preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; and (iv) the issuance and sale by us of Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS (the mid-point of the estimated initial public offering price range shown on the front cover page of this prospectus) after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2020 would have been US$ million, or US$ per issued ordinary share and US$ per ADS. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS to the existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering.
The following table illustrates such dilution:
Per Ordinary Share |
Per ADS | |||||||
Assumed initial public offering price |
||||||||
Actual net tangible book value as of June 30, 2020 |
US$ | 0.80 | US$ | |||||
Pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all of our preferred shares outstanding as of June 30, 2020 into Class A ordinary shares |
||||||||
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after giving effect to (i) the issuance of 207,588,515 Series C preferred shares in the third quarter of 2020, (ii) the automatic conversion of 98,611,761 preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; (iii) the automatic conversion of 703,121,624 remaining preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering, (iv) the portion of outstanding RSUs and restricted shares under our share incentive plan that will become vested upon the completion of this offering, (v) ordinary shares issued subsequent to June 30, 2020 and (vi) this offering |
||||||||
Dilution in net tangible book value to new investors in the offering |
74
The amount of dilution in net tangible book value to new investors in this offering set forth above is calculated by deducting (i) the pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the automatic conversion of our outstanding preferred shares from (ii) the pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the automatic conversion of our preferred shares and this offering.
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of June 30, 2020, the differences between existing shareholders, including holders of our preferred shares, and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares (in the form of ADSs or shares) purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share and per ADS paid before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. The total number of ordinary shares does not include Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs issuable upon the exercise of the option to purchase additional ADSs granted to the underwriters.
Ordinary Shares Total |
Total Consideration |
Average Price per Ordinary Share Equivalent |
Average Price per ADS Equivalent |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||
Existing shareholders |
% | US$ | % | US$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
New investors |
% | US$ | % | US$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total |
% | US$ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of US$ per ADS (the mid-point of the estimated initial public offering price range shown on the front cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after giving effect to the offering by US$ million, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS after giving effect to this offering by US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS and the dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS to new investors in this offering by US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS, assuming no change to the number of ADS offered by us as set forth on the front cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of the ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
The discussion and tables above take into consideration the automatic conversions of all of our outstanding preferred shares immediately upon the completion of this offering, ordinary shares issued subsequent to June 30, 2020 and the portion of outstanding RSUs and restricted shares granted under our share incentive plan that will become vested upon the completion of this offering. They do not take into consideration (i) the portion of outstanding RSUs granted under our share incentive plan which are subject to further service condition and will not automatically become vested upon the completion of this offering and (ii) RSUs that may be granted in the future. As of the date of this prospectus, there are (i) Class A ordinary shares issuable pursuant to outstanding granted RSUs which will vest after completion of this offering, (ii) 32,567,345 Class A ordinary shares available for future issuance for future grants under our equity incentive plan. If any of these RSUs are vested or granted, there will be further dilution to new investors.
75
ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability. We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands because of certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands company, such as political and economic stability, an effective judicial system, a favorable tax system, the absence of foreign exchange control or currency restrictions and the availability of professional and support services. However, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides protections for investors to a lesser extent. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.
Our operations are mainly conducted in the PRC, and our assets are mainly located in the PRC. In addition, most of our directors and officers are residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in United States courts judgments obtained in United States courts based on the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors.
We have appointed Cogency Global Inc. as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any state in the United States or any action brought against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of New York under the securities laws of the State of New York.
Harney Westwood & Riegels, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Fangda Partners, our counsel as to PRC law, have advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or the PRC would, respectively, (1) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States and (2) entertain original actions brought in the Cayman Islands or the PRC against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
Harney Westwood & Riegels has informed us that the uncertainty with regard to Cayman Islands law relates to whether a judgment obtained from the United States courts under the civil liability provisions of the securities laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such a determination is made, the courts of the Cayman Islands will not recognize or enforce the judgment against a Cayman Islands company. Because the courts of the Cayman Islands have yet to rule on whether such judgments are penal or punitive in nature, it is uncertain whether they would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. Harney Westwood & Riegels has further advised us that a final and conclusive judgment in the federal or state courts of the United States under which a sum of money is payable, other than a sum payable in respect of taxes, fines, penalties or similar charges, may be subject to enforcement proceedings as a debt in the courts of the Cayman Islands under the common law doctrine of obligation.
In addition, Harney Westwood & Riegels has advised us that there is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the Cayman Islands will generally recognize as a valid judgment, a final and conclusive judgment in personam obtained in the federal or state courts in the United States under which a sum of money is payable (other than a sum of money payable in respect of multiple damages, taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty) and would give a judgment based thereon provided that (i) such courts had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment; (ii) such courts did not contravene the rules of natural justice of the Cayman Islands; (iii) such judgment was not obtained by fraud; (iv) the enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public
76
policy of the Cayman Islands; (v) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the Cayman Islands; and (vi) there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
Fangda Partners has advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedure Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedure Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. Fangda Partners has advised us further that under PRC law, a foreign judgment, which does not otherwise violate basic legal principles, state sovereignty, safety or social public interest, may be recognized and enforced by a PRC court, based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is rendered or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. As there exists no treaty or other form of written arrangement between China and the United States governing the recognition and enforcement of judgments as of the date of this prospectus, including those predicated upon the liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws, there is uncertainty whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce judgments rendered by United States courts.
77
OUR HISTORY AND CORPORATE STRUCTURE
We began our operations in 2015 through Chengxing Zhidong, a PRC limited liability company. We undertook a reorganization, or the Reorganization, to facilitate our initial public offering in the United States. As part of the Reorganization, we incorporated XPeng Inc., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands, in December 2018. Subsequently, XPeng Inc. established XPeng Limited, a limited liability company established in the British Virgin Islands. XPeng Limited then established XPeng (Hong Kong) Limited, a Hong Kong limited liability company, as its wholly owned subsidiary. XPeng (HK) Limited then established Xiaopeng Motors, as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in the PRC.
As a transitional arrangement of the Reorganization, Xiaopeng Motors entered into a series of contractual agreements with Chengxing Zhidong and its shareholders in September 2019, pursuant to which Xiaopeng Motors exercised effective control over the operations of Chengxing Zhidong. In connection with the Reorganization, substantially all of the former shareholders of Chengxing Zhidong have exited from Chengxing Zhidong and obtained, by themselves or through their respective affiliates, shares of XPeng Inc. based on their respective shareholding in Chengxing Zhidong prior to the Reorganization. In May 2020, Xiaopeng Motors completed its purchase of 100% equity interest in Chengxing Zhidong. Consequently, Chengxing Zhidong became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of XPeng Inc.
Our Corporate Structure
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus. Certain entities that are immaterial to our results of operations, business and financial condition are omitted. Except as otherwise specified, equity interests depicted in this diagram are held as to 100%.
(1) | We have the option to acquire the remaining 0.5% equity interest in Xiaopeng Technology from the current owner, and the owner has the right to require us to purchase such equity interest, in or before September 2022 at a purchase price equal to such owners initial investment plus an investment yield. |
78
(2) | Includes (i) 36 subsidiaries that are wholly-owned by Chengxing Zhidong, (ii) three subsidiaries of which a majority equity interest is held by Chengxing Zhidong, and (iii) one subsidiary, of which a 50% equity interest is held by Chengxing Zhidong. Chengxing Zhidong and its subsidiaries are primarily involved in research and development, manufacturing and selling our Smart EVs and providing after-sales services. |
(3) | Includes (i) eight subsidiaries that are wholly-owned by Xiaopeng Automobile, and (ii) one subsidiary, of which 73.8% equity interest is held by Xiaopeng Automobile. Xiaopeng Automobile and its subsidiaries are primarily involved in providing value-added services. |
(4) | Heng Xia and Tao He hold 80% and 20% equity interest, respectively, in Zhipeng IoV. Zhipeng IoV is primarily involved in operating our Xpeng mobile apps and providing value-added services. |
(5) | Xiaopeng He and Heng Xia respectively hold 80% and 20% equity interest, respectively, in Yidian Chuxing. Yidian Chuxing is primarily involved in providing ride-hailing services and operating the related mobile app. |
Contractual Arrangements with the VIEs and Their Shareholders
To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we operate our mobile apps through our consolidated VIEs that hold the required ICP and related licenses. Our subsidiary, Xiaopeng Chuxing, has entered into a series of contractual arrangements with our consolidated VIE, Yidian Chuxing, and its shareholders. In addition, our subsidiary, Xiaopeng Technology, has entered into a series of contractual arrangements with our consolidated VIE, Zhipeng IoV, and its shareholders. We effectively control our consolidated VIEs through these contractual arrangements, as described in more detail below, which collectively enables us to:
| exercise effective control over our consolidated VIEs and their subsidiaries; |
| receive substantially all the economic benefits of our consolidated VIEs; and |
| have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in all or part of the assets of or inject registered capital into our consolidated VIEs when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. |
As a result of these contractual arrangements, we are the primary beneficiary of our consolidated VIEs and their subsidiaries. We have consolidated their financial results in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
In the opinion of Fangda Partners, our PRC legal counsel:
| the ownership structures of Xiaopeng Technology, Xiaopeng Chuxing and our consolidated VIEs in China, both currently and immediately after giving effect to this offering, do not and will not violate any applicable PRC law, regulation, or rule currently in effect; and |
| the contractual arrangements among Xiaopeng Technology, Xiaopeng Chuxing, our consolidated VIEs and their shareholders governed by PRC laws are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms and applicable PRC laws, rules, and regulations currently in effect, and will not violate any applicable PRC law, regulation, or rule currently in effect. |
However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations related to the contractual arrangements. We have been further advised by our PRC legal counsel that if the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our business do not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in the aforesaid business we engage in, we could be subject to severe penalties including being prohibited from continuing operations. See Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Our Corporate Structure.
All the agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by PRC laws and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China. For additional information, see Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Our Corporate StructureWe rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated VIEs and their shareholders to operate our mobile apps, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control and otherwise have a material adverse effect as to our business.
79
The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements by and among (i) Xiaopeng Technology, Zhipeng IoV and its shareholders, and (ii) Xiaopeng Chuxing, Yidian Chuxing and its shareholders.
Contractual Arrangements with Zhipeng IoV and its shareholders
Agreements that provide us with effective control over Zhipeng IoV and its subsidiaries
Equity Interest Pledge Agreement. Pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreement, each shareholder of Zhipeng IoV, has pledged all of such shareholders equity interest in Zhipeng IoV as a security interest, as applicable, to respectively guarantee Zhipeng IoV and its shareholders performance of their obligations under the relevant contractual arrangement, which include the exclusive service agreement, exclusive option agreement, power of attorney and loan agreement. If Zhipeng IoV or any of its shareholders breaches their contractual obligations under these agreements, Xiaopeng Technology, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights regarding the pledged equity interests. In the event of such breaches, upon giving written notice to Zhipeng IoVs shareholders, Xiaopeng Technology to the extent permitted by PRC laws may exercise the right to enforce the pledge, which is being paid in priority with the equity interest of Zhipeng IoV from the proceeds from auction or sale of the equity interest. Each of the shareholders of Zhipeng IoV agrees that, during the term of the equity interest pledge agreements, such shareholder shall not transfer the equity interest, place or permit the existence of any security interest or other encumbrance on the equity interest or any portion thereof, without the prior written consent of Xiaopeng Technology. Zhipeng IoVs shareholders may receive dividends distributed on the equity interest only with prior consent of Xiaopeng Technology. The equity interest pledge agreements remain effective until all obligations under the relevant contractual agreements have been fully performed and all secured indebtedness have been fully paid, whichever is later.
Power of Attorney. Pursuant to the power of attorney, each shareholder of Zhipeng IoV has irrevocably authorized Xiaopeng Technology to exercise the following rights relating to all equity interests held by such shareholder in Zhipeng IoV during the term of the power of attorney: to act on behalf of such shareholder as its exclusive agent and attorney with respect to all matters concerning its shareholding in Zhipeng IoV according to Zhipeng IoVs articles of association, including without limitation to: (i) exercising all the shareholders voting rights, including but not limited designating and appointing the directors and other senior management members of Zhipeng IoV; (ii) other shareholders voting rights such shareholder is entitled to according to Zhipeng IoVs articles of association, as amended; and (iii) equity transfer (according to the exclusive option agreement), asset transfer, capital reduction and capital increase of Zhipeng IoV.
Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the loan agreement, the Xiaopeng Technology should provide the shareholders of Zhipeng IoV with a loan in the aggregate amount of RMB10.0 million to fund business activities as permitted by Xiaopeng Technology. The shareholders agree that the proceeds from the transfer of the equity interest of the shareholders in Zhipeng IoV, pursuant to the exercise of the right to acquire such equity interest by Xiaopeng Technology under the exclusive option agreement, may be used by the shareholders to repay the loan to the extent permitted under PRC law. The loan agreement will remain effective until the earlier of (i) 20 years after the execution date of the loan agreement, (ii) the expiry date of Xiaopeng Technologys licensed operating period; and (iii) the expiry date of Zhipeng IoVs licensed operating period. During the term of loan agreement, Xiaopeng Technology has the right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to accelerate maturity of loan at any time.
Agreement that allow us to receive economic benefits from Zhipeng IoV and its subsidiaries
Exclusive Service Agreement. Under the exclusive service agreement, Zhipeng IoV appoints Xiaopeng Technology as its exclusive services provider to provide Zhipeng IoV with services related to Zhipeng IoVs business during the term of the exclusive service agreement. In consideration of the services provided by Xiaopeng Technology, Zhipeng IoV shall pay Xiaopeng Technology annual fees, which should be mutually agreed by both parties and can be adjusted according to Xiaopeng Technologys suggestion to the extent permitted by PRC law. Unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the exclusive service agreement or terminated in writing by Xiaopeng Technology, the exclusive service agreement shall remain effective for 20 years from May 28, 2018, and can be automatically renewed for one year every sequent year.
80
Agreements that provides us with the option to purchase the equity interest in Zhipeng IoV
Exclusive Option Agreement. Pursuant to the exclusive option agreement, Zhipeng IoV and each of Zhipeng IoVs shareholders have irrevocably granted Xiaopeng Technology an irrevocable and exclusive right to purchase, or designate one or more entities or persons to purchase the equity interests in Zhipeng IoV then held by its shareholders, and the assets of Zhipeng IoV, once or at multiple times at any time in part or in whole at Xiaopeng Technologys sole and absolute discretion to the extent permitted by PRC law. The purchase price for the equity interests in Zhipeng IoV shall equal to the amount of relevant registered capital contributed by the shareholders in Zhipeng IoV while the purchase price for the assets of Zhipeng IoV shall equal to the net book value of such assets, and if such amount in each case is lower than the minimum price permitted by PRC law, the minimum price permitted by PRC law shall be the purchase price. This agreement will remain effective until all equity interests of Zhipeng IoV held by its shareholders and all of Zhipeng IoVs assets have been transferred or assigned to Xiaopeng Technology or its designated entities or persons.
Contractual Arrangements with Yidian Chuxing and its shareholders
Agreements that provide us with effective control over Yidian Chuxing and its subsidiaries
Equity Interest Pledge Agreement. Pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreement, each shareholder of Yidian Chuxing, has pledged all of such shareholders equity interest in Yidian Chuxing as a security interest, as applicable, to respectively guarantee Yidian Chuxing and its shareholders performance of their obligations under the relevant contractual arrangement, which include the exclusive service agreement, exclusive option agreement, power of attorney and loan agreement. If Yidian Chuxing or any of its shareholders breaches their contractual obligations under these agreements, Xiaopeng Chuxing, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights regarding the pledged equity interests. In the event of such breaches, upon giving written notice to Yidian Chuxings shareholders, Xiaopeng Chuxing to the extent permitted by PRC laws may exercise the right to enforce the pledge, which is being paid in priority with the equity interest of Yidian Chuxing from the proceeds from auction or sale of the equity interest. Each of the shareholders of Yidian Chuxing agrees that, during the term of the equity interest pledge agreements, such shareholder shall not transfer the equity interest, place or permit the existence of any security interest or other encumbrance on the equity interest or any portion thereof, without the prior written consent of Xiaopeng Chuxing. Yidian Chuxings shareholders may receive dividends distributed on the equity interest only with prior consent of Xiaopeng Chuxing. The equity interest pledge agreements remain effective until all obligations under the relevant contractual agreements have been fully performed or all secured indebtedness have been fully paid, whichever is later.
Power of Attorney. Pursuant to the power of attorney, each shareholder of Yidian Chuxing has irrevocably authorized Xiaopeng Chuxing to exercise the following rights relating to all equity interests held by such shareholder in Yidian Chuxing during the term of the power of attorney: to act on behalf of such shareholder as its exclusive agent and attorney with respect to all matters concerning its shareholding in Yidian Chuxing according to Yidian Chuxings articles of association, including without limitation to: (i) exercising all the shareholders voting rights, including but not limited designating and appointing the directors and other senior management members of Yidian Chuxing; (ii) other shareholders voting rights such shareholder is entitled to according to Yidian Chuxings articles of association, as amended; and (iii) equity transfer (according to the exclusive option agreement), asset transfer, capital reduction and capital increase of Yidian Chuxing.
Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the loan agreement, the Xiaopeng Chuxing should provide the shareholders of Yidian Chuxing with a loan in the aggregate amount of RMB10.0 million to fund business activities as permitted by Xiaopeng Chuxing. The shareholders agree that the proceeds from the transfer of the equity interest of the shareholders in Yidian Chuxing, pursuant to the exercise of the right to acquire such equity interest by Xiaopeng Chuxing under the exclusive option agreement, may be used by the shareholders to repay the loan to the extent permitted under PRC law. The loan agreement will remain effective until the earlier of (i) 20 years after the execution date of the loan agreement, (ii) the expiry date of Xiaopeng Chuxings licensed operating period; and (iii) the expiry date of Yidian Chuxings licensed operating period. During the term of loan agreement, Xiaopeng Chuxing has the right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to accelerate maturity of loan at any time.
81
Agreement that allow us to receive economic benefits from Yidian Chuxing and its subsidiaries
Exclusive Service Agreement. Under the exclusive service agreement, Yidian Chuxing appoints Xiaopeng Chuxing as its exclusive services provider to provide Yidian Chuxing with services related to Yidian Chuxings business during the term of the exclusive service agreement. In consideration of the services provided by Xiaopeng Chuxing, Yidian Chuxing shall pay Xiaopeng Chuxing annual fees, which should be mutually agreed by both parties and can be adjusted according to Xiaopeng Chuxings suggestion to the extent permitted by PRC law. Unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the exclusive service agreement or terminated in writing by Xiaopeng Chuxing, the exclusive service agreement shall remain effective for 20 years, starting from May 28, 2018, and can be automatically renewed for one year every sequent year.
Agreements that provides us with the option to purchase the equity interest in Yidian Chuxing
Exclusive Option Agreement. Pursuant to the exclusive option agreement, Yidian Chuxing and each of Yidian Chuxings shareholders have irrevocably granted Xiaopeng Chuxing an irrevocable and exclusive right to purchase, or designate one or more entities or persons to purchase the equity interests in Yidian Chuxing then held by its shareholders, and the assets of Yidian Chuxing, once or at multiple times at any time in part or in whole at Xiaopeng Chuxings sole and absolute discretion to the extent permitted by PRC law. The purchase price for the equity interests shall equal to the amount of the relevant registered capital contributed by the shareholders in Yidian Chuxing while the purchase price for the assets of Yidian Chuxing shall equal to the net book value of such assets, and if such amount in each case is lower than the minimum price permitted by PRC law, the minimum price permitted by PRC law shall be the purchase price. This agreement will remain effective until all equity interests of Yidian Chuxing held by its shareholders and all of Yidian Chuxings assets have been transferred or assigned to Xiaopeng Chuxing or its designated entities or persons.
82
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data and selected consolidated statements of cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 and selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following selected consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data and selected consolidated cash flows data for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020 and selected consolidated balance sheets data (excluding pro forma as adjusted data) as of June 30, 2020 have been derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included else-where in this prospectus. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair statement of our financial position and results of operations for the periods presented.
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period. The following selected consolidated financial data for the periods and as of the dates indicated are qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and related notes and the information under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Selected Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss Data
Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for share and per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vehicle sales |
4,153 | 2,171,231 | 307,318 | 1,197,499 | 913,269 | 129,265 | ||||||||||||||||||
Services and others |
5,553 | 149,988 | 21,229 | 33,993 | 89,581 | 12,679 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total revenues |
9,706 | 2,321,219 | 328,547 | 1,231,492 | 1,002,850 | 141,944 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Cost of sales |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vehicle sales |
(8,220 | ) | (2,733,531 | ) | (386,906 | ) | (1,667,805 | ) | (963,136 | ) | (136,323 | ) | ||||||||||||
Services and others |
(3,847 | ) | (145,829 | ) | (20,641 | ) | (34,475 | ) | (75,830 | ) | (10,733 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total cost of sales |
(12,067 | ) | (2,879,360 | ) | (407,547 | ) | (1,702,280 | ) | (1,038,966 | ) | (147,056 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Gross loss |
(2,361 | ) | (558,141 | ) | (79,000 | ) | (470,788 | ) | (36,116 | ) | (5,112 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Research and development expenses |
(1,051,219 | ) | (2,070,158 | ) | (293,012 | ) | (983,198 | ) | (630,578 | ) | (89,253 | ) | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
(642,541 | ) | (1,164,569 | ) | (164,834 | ) | (484,058 | ) | (798,974 | ) | (113,087 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
(1,693,760 | ) | (3,234,727 | ) | (457,846 | ) | (1,467,256 | ) | (1,429,552 | ) | (202,340 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other income |
1,487 | 12,294 | 1,740 | 5,116 | 37,293 | 5,278 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(1,694,634 | ) | (3,780,574 | ) | (535,106 | ) | (1,932,928 | ) | (1,428,375 | ) | (202,174 | ) | ||||||||||||
Interest income |
65,376 | 88,843 | 12,575 | 58,031 | 20,953 | 2,966 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expenses |
(5,822 | ) | (32,017 | ) | (4,532 | ) | (11,677 | ) | (15,954 | ) | (2,258 | ) | ||||||||||||
Fair value gain (loss) on derivative liabilities |
254,361 | 27,679 | 3,918 | (47,079 | ) | 618,442 | 87,535 | |||||||||||||||||
Other non-operating (loss) income, net |
(18,104 | ) | 4,397 | 622 | 15,324 | 9,131 | 1,292 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Loss before income tax expenses |
(1,398,823 | ) | (3,691,672 | ) | (522,523 | ) | (1,918,329 | ) | (795,803 | ) | (112,639 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Income tax expenses |
| (1 | ) | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net loss |
(1,398,823 | ) | (3,691,673 | ) | (522,523 | ) | (1,918,329 | ) | (795,803 | ) | (112,639 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83
Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for share and per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of XPeng Inc. |
(2,257,844 | ) | (4,645,722 | ) | (657,560 | ) | (2,331,763 | ) | (2,091,939 | ) | (296,096 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing net loss per ordinary share |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted |
330,176,070 | 349,450,580 | 349,450,580 | 349,414,050 | 362,747,375 | 362,747,375 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net loss per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted |
(6.83 | ) | (13.29 | ) | (1.88 | ) | (6.60 | ) | (5.72 | ) | (0.81 | ) |
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheets Data
As of December 31, | As of June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | Actual | Actual | Pro Forma(1) | Pro Forma As Adjusted(2) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheets Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
1,626,878 | 1,946,931 | 275,570 | 1,061,209 | 150,204 | 1,061,209 | 150,204 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
4,647 | 460,812 | 65,224 | 834,099 | 118,059 | 834,099 | 118,059 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term deposits |
759,975 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments |
2,246,272 | 407,844 | 57,727 | 223,173 | 31,588 | 223,173 | 31,588 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prepayments and other current assets |
1,236,596 | 1,083,307 | 153,332 | 1,023,967 | 144,931 | 1,023,967 | 144,931 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
863,357 | 3,229,952 | 457,170 | 3,218,922 | 455,609 | 3,218,922 | 455,609 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
7,673,188 | 9,251,365 | 1,309,449 | 9,324,869 | 1,319,847 | 9,324,869 | 1,319,847 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term borrowings |
200,000 | 419,950 | 59,440 | 277,465 | 39,273 | 277,465 | 39,273 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term borrowings |
1,000,000 | 1,690,000 | 239,204 | 1,689,980 | 239,201 | 1,689,980 | 239,201 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities |
637,015 | 897,091 | 126,978 | 389,430 | 55,120 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
2,878,940 | 6,388,317 | 904,211 | 6,650,810 | 941,359 | 6,261,380 | 886,239 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total mezzanine equity |
6,979,473 | 9,693,478 | 1,372,022 | 11,598,502 | 1,641,661 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total shareholders (deficit) |
(2,185,225 | ) | (6,830,430 | ) | (966,784 | ) | (8,924,443 | ) | (1,263,173 | ) | 3,063,489 | 433,608 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share capital |
21 | 21 | 3 | 21 | 3 | 63 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total shares outstanding |
349,414,050 | 362,747,375 | 362,747,375 | 362,747,375 | 362,747,375 | 931,506,945 | 931,506,945 |
Notes:
(1) | The consolidated balance sheets data as of June 30, 2020 are presented on a pro forma basis to reflect (i) the automatic conversion of 80,546,975 preferred shares outstanding as of June 30, 2020 into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; and (ii) the automatic conversion of 488,212,595 remaining preferred shares outstanding as of June 30, 2020 into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering. |
84
(2) | The consolidated balance sheets data as of June 30, 2020 are presented on a pro forma as adjusted basis to reflect (i) the issuance of 207,588,515 Series C preferred shares in the third quarter of 2020; (ii) the automatic conversion of 98,611,761 preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; (iii) the automatic conversion of 703,121,624 remaining preferred shares outstanding as of the date hereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one-basis upon the completion of this offering; and (iv) the issuance and sale of the Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs offered hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming no exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional ADSs. |
Selected Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data
Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Flow Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(1,572,715 | ) | (3,562,765 | ) | (504,274 | ) | (1,574,894 | ) | (1,212,667 | ) | (171,643 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
(3,630,324 | ) | 740,296 | 104,781 | 148,207 | (165,240 | ) | (23,389 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
6,734,200 | 3,593,562 | 508,635 | 1,906,800 | 868,329 | 122,904 | ||||||||||||||||||
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
(14,782 | ) | 5,125 | 725 | (9,134 | ) | (2,857 | ) | (403 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the year/period |
115,146 | 1,631,525 | 230,927 | 1,631,525 | 2,407,743 | 340,794 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the year/period |
1,631,525 | 2,407,743 | 340,794 | 2,102,504 | 1,895,308 | 268,263 |
85
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the section entitled Selected Consolidated Financial Data and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under Risk Factors and elsewhere in this prospectus. See Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Industry Data.
Overview
We are one of Chinas leading Smart EV companies. We design, develop, manufacture and market Smart EVs in China. Xpeng was founded in 2015 with a vision to bring Smart EVs to Chinese consumers through innovation in autonomous driving, smart connectivity and core vehicle systems. Today, we are a proven leader in the rapidly growing Smart EV market, producing popular and environmentally-friendly vehicles, namely an SUV (the G3) and a four-door sports sedan (the P7).
In order to optimize our customers mobility experience, we have strategically chosen to focus on developing full-stack autonomous driving technology and in-car intelligent operating system, as well as core vehicle systems, including powertrain and the electrical and electronic architecture, or the E/E architecture, in-house. Through our proprietary software, core hardware and data technologies, we are able to develop and deploy innovative products rapidly and efficiently, which gives us an advantage over our competitors in China.
We started production of the G3 in November 2018, and as of July 31, 2020, we had delivered 18,741 units of the G3 to customers. We started production of the P7 and began delivery in May 2020, and as of July 31, 2020, we had delivered 1,966 units of the P7 to customers. We plan to launch our third Smart EV, a sedan, in 2021. According to the IHS Markit Report, the G3 was among the top-three best-selling electric SUVs in China in 2019.
We have an omni-channel sales model, which combines a data-driven and targeted online marketing strategy with a physical sales and service network. As of June 30, 2020, our physical sales and service network consisted of a total of 147 stores and service centers, which cover 52 major cities in China.
Our manufacturing philosophy centers around quality, continuous improvement, flexibility and high operating efficiency. We produce the G3 through a contract manufacturing collaboration with Haima, which has over three decades of automotive manufacturing experience, at its plant in Zhengzhou, Henan province. In addition, we have built our own plant in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province. We started the production of the P7 at the plant in May 2020 and will also utilize the plant for future models. The Haima plant and the Zhaoqing plant have annual production capacity of up to 150,000 units and 100,000 units, respectively.
Our Business Model
We offer an innovative mobility experience through our Smart EVs, software and services. Vehicle sales is the primary source of our revenues. We have launched two Smart EV models, and we plan to launch a new model each year to expand our product portfolio and customer base.
We aim to diversify our revenue streams and monetization opportunities by offering a variety of software and services, such as advanced autonomous driving software and content subscriptions, in relation to our Smart EVs. Such software and services allow us to achieve full-lifecycle customer engagement, maximize customer lifetime value, drive word-of-mouth referrals and improve margins. We have already generated revenues from several service offerings. Furthermore, we build a smart connectivity ecosystem through our in-car app store, which allows our customers to conveniently access services and content offered by our business partners.
86
General Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
The demand for our Smart EVs is affected by the following general factors:
| Chinas macroeconomic conditions and the growth of Chinas overall passenger vehicle market, especially the mid- to high-end segment; |
| Penetration rate of EVs in Chinas passenger vehicle market, which is in turn affected by, among other things, (i) functionality and performance of EVs, (ii) total cost of ownership of EVs and (iii) availability of charging network; |
| Development, and customer acceptance and demand, of smart technology functions, such as autonomous driving and smart connectivity; and |
| Government policies and regulations for EVs and smart technology functions, such as subsidies for EV purchases and government grants for EV manufacturers. |
Changes in any of these general industry conditions could affect our business and result of operations.
Specific Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Besides the general factors affecting Chinas Smart EV market, our business and results of operations are also affected by company specific factors, including the following major factors:
Our ability to attract new customers and grow our customer base
We design our Smart EVs to satisfy the needs and preferences of Chinas technology-savvy middle class consumers. We strive to enhance brand recognition among our target customers by consistently delivering smart and upgradable EVs as well as a superior customer experience. Enhanced customer satisfaction will help to drive word-of-mouth referrals, which will reduce our customer acquisition costs. Our ability to attract new customers also depends on the scale and efficiency of our sales network, which includes direct stores, franchised stores and various online marketing channels. We seek to attract new customers cost-efficiently by, among other things, locating a substantial majority of our stores in shopping malls in tier-one and tier-two cities, adopting an asset-light franchise model and engaging in online precision marketing. As we continue to develop and launch new EV models, invest in our brand and expand our sales and service network, we expect to attract more customers and grow our revenues.
Competitiveness and continued expansion of our Smart EV portfolio
Our ability to periodically introduce new Smart EV models will be an important contributor to our future growth. We have launched two Smart EVs, the G3 and P7, and we plan to introduce a new model every year to expand our product portfolio and customer base. We expect our revenue growth to be driven in part by the continued expansion of our vehicle portfolio.
We differentiate our Smart EVs based on a number of core attributes, which are attractive design, high performance, smart technology functions and proven safety and reliability. Customer acceptance of our Smart EVs also depends on our ability to maintain competitive pricing. We primarily target our Smart EVs to the mid- to high-end segment in Chinas passenger vehicle market. With autonomous driving, smart connectivity and high performance, our Smart EVs offer compelling value proposition in the mid- to high-end segment.
Investment in technology and talents
We develop most of our key technologies in-house to achieve a rapid pace of innovation and tailor our product offerings for Chinese customers. Such technologies encompass both software, including software for
87
XPILOT and Xmart OS, and core vehicle systems, including powertrain and E/E architecture. Accordingly, we dedicate significant resources towards research and development, and our research and development staff accounted for approximately 43% of our total employees as of June 30, 2020. We will continue to recruit and retain talented software developers and engineers to grow our strength in the key technologies. We expect our strategic focus on innovations will further differentiate our Smart EVs as well as software and service offerings, which will in turn enhance our competitiveness.
Offering of smart software
We aim to diversify our revenue streams and monetization opportunities by offering advanced software systems. We plan to roll out the software for XPILOT 3.0 by early 2021. The success of our software offerings will depend on our abilities to develop advanced software and seamlessly integrate it with our Smart EVs hardware. We expect smart software sales to improve our gross margins.
Improvement of operating efficiency
We aim to improve operating efficiency in every aspect of our business, such as product development, supply chain, manufacturing, sales and marketing, as well as service offerings. We strategically established two Smart EV platforms that are scalable for both SUVs and sedans with different wheelbases within a wide range, which allows us to develop new models in a fast and cost-efficient manner. Our supply chain affects our cost of sales and gross margin, and we expect to reduce bill-of-material cost, as we ramp up production volume and achieve economies of scale. We also focus on the efficiency in the manufacturing process, including our operations at the Zhaoqing plant. As we expand our product portfolio and grow our revenues, we expect our expenses as a percentage of our revenues to decrease.
Components of Results of Operations
Revenues
The following table sets forth a breakdown of our revenues, each expressed in the absolute amount and as a percentage of our total revenues, for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vehicle sales |
4,153 | 42.8 | 2,171,231 | 307,318 | 93.5 | 1,197,499 | 97.2 | 913,269 | 129,265 | 91.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services and others |
5,553 | 57.2 | 149,988 | 21,229 | 6.5 | 33,993 | 2.8 | 89,581 | 12,679 | 8.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
9,706 | 100.0 | 2,321,219 | 328,547 | 100.0 | 1,231,492 | 100.0 | 1,002,850 | 141,944 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We began generating revenues from vehicle sales in the fourth quarter of 2018, when we began delivering our Smart EVs. We generate revenues from (i) vehicle sales, which represent sales of our Smart EVs, and (ii) services and others, primarily including ride-hailing service, finance lease, supercharging service and maintenance service. In 2019, substantially all of financing for our customers vehicle purchases were provided by the banks that we cooperate with.
The overall contract price under a sales contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation based on the relative estimated standalone selling price. For example, the revenue for sales of the Smart EV and home charger is recognized when the control of the Smart EV is transferred to the customer and the home charger is installed at customers designated location. For the extended lifetime warranty, we recognize the revenue over time based on a straight-line method initially, and will continue monitoring the cost pattern periodically and adjust the revenue recognition pattern to reflect the actual cost pattern as it becomes available.
88
We plan to further monetize through smart software offering and content subscriptions. For example, we plan to roll out the software for XPILOT 3.0 by early 2021. A customer can purchase XPILOT 3.0 by either making a lump sum payment or paying annual installments for a three-year period.
Cost of sales
The following table sets forth a breakdown of our cost of sales, expressed as an absolute amount and as a percentage of our total revenues, for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vehicle sales |
8,220 | 84.7 | 2,733,531 | 386,906 | 117.8 | 1,667,805 | 135.4 | 963,136 | 136,323 | 96.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services and others |
3,847 | 39.6 | 145,829 | 20,641 | 6.3 | 34,475 | 2.8 | 75,830 | 10,733 | 7.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
12,067 | 124.3 | 2,879,360 | 407,547 | 124.1 | 1,702,280 | 138.2 | 1,038,966 | 147,056 | 103.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of vehicle sales primarily includes direct parts, material, processing fee, labor cost and manufacturing overhead, including depreciation of assets associated with production, and reserves for estimated warranty expenses. Cost of services and others primarily includes cost of direct part, material, depreciation of associated assets used for providing the services and installment costs.
Research and development expenses
Our research and development expenses primarily consist of (i) employee compensation, representing salaries, benefits and bonuses for our research and development personnel, (ii) design and development expenses, which primarily include fees payable to third-party suppliers for designing molds, (iii) materials and supplies expenses in relation to testing materials, and (iv) certain other expenses.
Our research and development expenses are mainly driven by the number of our research and development personnel, as well as the stage and scale of our vehicle development and the development of our key software and hardware technologies. We dedicate significant resources towards research and development, and our research and development staff accounted for approximately 43% of our total employees as of June 30, 2020.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
The following table sets forth a breakdown of our selling, general and administrative expenses, expressed as an absolute amount and as a percentage of total selling, general and administrative expenses, for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 |
|
|
2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling expenses |
317,109 | 49.4 | 668,602 | 94,634 | 57.4 | 257,732 | 53.2 | 513,292 | 72,652 | 64.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
325,432 | 50.6 | 495,967 | 70,200 | 42.6 | 226,326 | 46.8 | 285,682 | 40,435 | 35.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
642,541 | 100.0 | 1,164,569 | 164,834 | 100.0 | 484,058 | 100.0 | 798,974 | 113,087 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
89
Our selling expenses primarily consist of (i) employee compensation, including salaries, benefits and bonuses for our sales and marketing staff, (ii) marketing, promotional and advertising expenses, (iii) lease expenses for direct stores, and (iv) certain other expenses, including commissions to franchised stores. Our general and administrative expenses primarily consist of (i) employee compensation, including salaries, benefits and bonuses for our general corporate staff, (ii) professional service fees, and (iii) certain other expenses.
Our selling, general and administrative expenses are mainly driven by the number of our sales, marketing, general corporate personnel, marketing and promotion activities and the expansion of our sales and service network.
Other income
Our other income primarily consists of government subsidies that are not contingent upon our further actions or performance.
Interest income
Our interest income primarily consists of interest earned on cash deposits in banks.
Interest expenses
Our interest expenses primarily consist of interest expenses with respect to our bank borrowings.
Fair value gain (loss) on derivative liabilities
Fair value gain or loss on derivative liabilities consists of net gain or loss from the change in the fair value of derivative liabilities.
Other non-operating (loss) income, net
Other non-operating loss and income, net primarily consist of exchange gains or losses we incur based on movements between the U.S. dollar and the Renminbi.
Taxation
Cayman Islands
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands and accordingly, are exempted from Cayman Islands income tax. As such, we are not subject to tax on either income or capital gain. In addition, no Cayman Islands withholding tax is imposed upon any payments of dividends by our subsidiaries to us.
Hong Kong
Under the current Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance, our Hong Kong subsidiaries are subject to 16.5% Hong Kong profit tax on their taxable income generated from operations in Hong Kong. Additionally, payments of dividends by our Hong Kong subsidiaries to us are not subject to any Hong Kong withholding tax.
PRC
The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, applies a uniform enterprise income tax rate of 25% to both FIEs and domestic enterprises. Certified high and new
90
technology enterprises, or HNTEs, are entitled to a favorable statutory tax rate of 15%, subject to renewal every three years. During the three-year period, an HNTE must conduct a self-review each year to ensure it meets the HNTE criteria and is eligible for the 15% preferential tax rate for the given year. If an HNTE fails to meet the criteria for being an HNTE in any year, the enterprise cannot enjoy the 15% preferential tax rate in the given year, and must instead use the uniform enterprise income tax rate of 25%.
Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Technology Co., Ltd., one of our subsidiaries, qualified as an HNTE in December 2019, and it is entitled to enjoy the beneficial tax rate of 15% for the years 2019 through 2021.
Under the EIT Law, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and payable by an FIE in the PRC to its foreign investors who are non-resident enterprises are subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless any such foreign investors jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with the PRC that provides for a different withholding arrangement. The Cayman Islands, where the Company was incorporated, does not have a tax treaty with the PRC. In accordance with the accounting guidance, all undistributed earnings are presumed to be transferred to the parent company and are subject to the withholding taxes. All FIEs are subject to the withholding tax from January 1, 2008. The presumption may be overcome if we have sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the undistributed dividends will be re-invested and the remittance of the dividends will be postponed indefinitely. We did not record any dividend withholding tax, as we have no retained earnings for any of the years presented.
The EIT Law also provides that an enterprise established under the laws of a foreign country or region but whose de facto management body is located in the PRC be treated as a resident enterprise and consequently be subject to the PRC income tax at the rate of 25% for its global income. The EIT Law defines the location of the de facto management body as the place where the exercising, in substance, of the overall management and control of the production and business operation, personnel, accounting, properties and others of a non-PRC company is located. Based on a review of surrounding facts and circumstances, we do not believe that it is likely that our operations outside of the PRC will be considered a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, due to limited guidance and implementation history of the EIT Law, there is uncertainty as to the application of the EIT Law. If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or any of our subsidiaries outside of China were deemed to be a resident enterprise under the EIT Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a uniform enterprise income tax rate of 25%.
According to a policy promulgated by the State Tax Bureau of the PRC and effective from 2008 onwards, enterprises engaged in research and development activities are entitled to claim an additional tax deduction amounting to 50% of its research and development expenses in determining its tax assessable profits for the year. The additional tax deduction amount of the research and development expenses has been increased from 50% to 75%, effective from 2018 to 2020, according to a new tax incentives policy promulgated by the State Tax Bureau of the PRC in September 2018.
91
Results of Operations
The following tables set forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations, in absolute amount for the periods presented and as a percentage of our revenues for 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The operating results in any period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.
Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vehicle sales |
4,153 | 2,171,231 | 307,318 | 93.5 | 1,197,499 | 97.2 | 913,269 | 129,265 | 91.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services and others |
5,553 | 149,988 | 21,229 | 6.5 | 33,993 | 2.8 | 89,581 | 12,679 | 8.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues |
9,706 | 2,321,219 | 328,547 | 100.0 | 1,231,492 | 100.0 | 1,002,850 | 141,944 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vehicle sales |
(8,220 | ) | (2,733,531 | ) | (386,906 | ) | (117.8 | ) | (1,667,805 | ) | (135.4 | ) | (963,136 | ) | (136,323 | ) | (96.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Services and others |
(3,847 | ) | (145,829 | ) | (20,641 | ) | (6.3 | ) | (34,475 | ) | (2.8 | ) | (75,830 | ) | (10,733 | ) | (7.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total cost of sales |
(12,067 | ) | (2,879,360 | ) | (407,547 | ) | (124.1 | ) | (1,702,280 | ) | (138.2 | ) | (1,038,966 | ) | (147,056 | ) | (103.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Gross loss |
(2,361 | ) | (558,141 | ) | (79,000 | ) | (24.1 | ) | (470,788 | ) | (38.2 | ) | (36,116 | ) | (5,112 | ) | (3.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Research and development expenses |
(1,051,219 | ) | (2,070,158 | ) | (293,012 | ) | (89.2 | ) | (983,198 | ) | (79.8 | ) | (630,578 | ) | (89,253 | ) | (62.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
(642,541 | ) | (1,164,569 | ) | (164,834 | ) | (50.2 | ) | (484,058 | ) | (39.3 | ) | (798,974 | ) | (113,087 | ) | (79.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
(1,693,760 | ) | (3,234,727 | ) | (457,846 | ) | (139.4 | ) | (1,467,256 | ) | (119.1 | ) | (1,429,552 | ) | (202,340 | ) | (142.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income |
1,487 | 12,294 | 1,740 | 0.5 | 5,116 | 0.4 | 37,293 | 5,278 | 3.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(1,694,634 | ) | (3,780,574 | ) | (535,106 | ) | (162.9 | ) | (1,932,928 | ) | (157.0 | ) | (1,428,375 | ) | (202,174 | ) | (142.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
65,376 | 88,843 | 12,575 | 3.8 | 58,031 | 4.7 | 20,953 | 2,966 | 2.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expenses |
(5,822 | ) | (32,017 | ) | (4,532 | ) | (1.4 | ) | (11,677 | ) | (0.9 | ) | (15,954 | ) | (2,258 | ) | (1.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Fair value gain (loss) on derivative liabilities |
254,361 | 27,679 | 3,918 | 1.2 | (47,079 | ) | (3.8 | ) | 618,442 | 87,535 | 61.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other non-operating (loss) income, net |
(18,104 | ) | 4,397 |
|
622 |
|
0.2 | 15,324 | 1.2 | 9,131 | 1,292 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income tax expenses |
(1,398,823 | ) | (3,691,672 | ) | (522,523 | ) | (159.1 | ) | (1,918,329 | ) | (155.8 | ) | (795,803 | ) | (112,639 | ) | (79.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expenses |
| (1 | ) | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(1,398,823 | ) | (3,691,673 | ) | (522,523 | ) | (159.1 | ) | (1,918,329 | ) | (155.8 | ) | (795,803 | ) | (112,639 | ) | (79.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<