Core Viewpoint - The automotive market in China experienced a significant month-on-month decline in January 2026, influenced by changes in tax policies and early consumer demand, while year-on-year sales remained relatively stable [1]. Group 1: Market Performance - In January 2026, the retail sales of narrow passenger vehicles in China were approximately 1.8 million units, representing a month-on-month decrease of 20.4% and a slight year-on-year increase of 0.3% [1]. - The retail sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in January were around 800,000 units, showing a year-on-year decline of 40.2%, but a month-on-month growth of 7.5% [1]. - Major traditional automakers like SAIC and Geely surpassed BYD in sales, with SAIC selling 327,000 units (up 23.9% year-on-year) and Geely selling 270,200 units (up 1.3% year-on-year) [2]. Group 2: New Energy Vehicle Segment - In the new energy vehicle sector, brands like Xiaomi, Hongmeng Zhixing, and NIO saw significant year-on-year growth, with Xiaomi's sales increasing by 95% to over 39,000 units [3][4]. - NIO delivered 27,200 units in January, marking a 96% year-on-year increase, driven by the new ES8 model [4]. - Conversely, companies like XPeng and Li Auto experienced declines, with XPeng's deliveries down 47% month-on-month and 34% year-on-year [4]. Group 3: Cost Pressures - The automotive industry is facing rising costs, with single-vehicle costs increasing by 4,000 to 7,000 yuan due to surging prices of key materials like lithium, aluminum, and DRAM [5][6]. - The price of battery-grade lithium carbonate rose from 75,700 yuan per ton at the beginning of 2025 to 146,600 yuan per ton by February 3, 2026, a nearly 94% increase [5]. - UBS reported that the cost increases in metals and chips could compress profit margins significantly, with potential reductions of 33% to 93% for vehicles priced at 150,000 yuan [6]. Group 4: Strategic Directions - To counteract rising costs and stagnant market demand, automakers are focusing on international expansion, with Chery exporting 119,600 units in January, accounting for nearly 60% of its total sales [7]. - BYD's overseas sales exceeded 100,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 43.3%, while Geely's exports grew by over 120% [7]. - Companies are also targeting the high-end market, with Great Wall Motors launching the WEY brand's flagship V9X, indicating a competitive push in the premium segment [9]. Group 5: Market Outlook - The automotive consumption index for January 2026 was reported at 31.1, reflecting a cautious consumer sentiment influenced by various factors, including the upcoming Spring Festival and changes in tax policies [10]. - Industry experts suggest that the market may not see a clear recovery until March or the end of the first quarter [10].

Market Overview - The three major U.S. stock indices closed lower, with the Dow Jones down 0.34%, the Nasdaq down 1.43%, and the S&P 500 down 0.83% [1] - Popular technology stocks experienced declines, with Broadcom falling over 3%, and Microsoft, Nvidia, and Meta each dropping over 2% [1] Sector Performance - The rare earth, non-ferrous metals, and precious metals sectors saw significant gains, with gold resources rising over 20%, Southern Copper up over 11%, Americas Silver up over 8%, and Pan American Silver up over 5% [1] - Conversely, application software, cryptocurrency, and weight loss drug stocks faced notable declines, with Novo Nordisk down over 14%, Coinbase and Circle each down over 4%, and Eli Lilly and Pfizer each down over 3% [1] Notable Company Movements - Walmart's stock increased by 2.94%, marking its market capitalization surpassing the $1 trillion milestone for the first time [1] - The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index fell by 0.94%, with significant declines in popular Chinese stocks such as Daqo New Energy down 5.6%, Bilibili down 4%, and Kingsoft Cloud down 3.5% [1] - Alibaba dropped 2.9%, while NIO rose 0.8%, Pony.ai increased by 2%, Huazhu up 2.2%, New Oriental up 2.3%, Li Auto up 2.7%, Canadian Solar up 4.1%, and Xpeng up 4.3% [1]

Group 1 - JD announced an investment of over 1.3 billion yuan in employee benefits during the Spring Festival, including overtime pay and bonuses for frontline workers [3] - OpenAI is shifting its focus towards the commercialization of ChatGPT, reallocating resources from long-term research, which has led to the departure of several executives [4] - Xpeng Motors has merged its autonomous driving and smart cockpit centers into a new General Intelligence Center, aimed at enhancing AI capabilities across various applications [7] Group 2 - Porsche's global deliveries are expected to decline by 10% in 2025, with a significant drop of 26% in the Chinese market, reflecting a strategic focus on maintaining brand value over sheer sales volume [11] - PepsiCo plans to reduce the prices of certain snack products by up to 15% in response to consumer feedback regarding high prices [12] - Douyin will stop the paid collection feature starting February 5, 2026, as part of a regular product iteration, which will not affect creators' monetization efforts [12] Group 3 - The AI Coding Plan service launched by Moore Thread aims to integrate domestic chips and models in the AI programming tool sector, offering various subscription plans [12] - The first AI percutaneous navigation robot in China has been approved for market release, enhancing the precision of minimally invasive surgeries [19] - QuestMobile reported that the monthly active user base reached 1.276 billion, with an average usage time of 186.2 hours, driven by the growth of AI applications [19]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses innovative marketing strategies adopted by automotive companies during the winter sales season in January 2026, highlighting how they engage consumers through unique experiences and cross-industry collaborations [3][4]. Group 1: Winter Marketing Strategies - January is a critical month for car companies, often referred to as the winter testing season, where numerous companies gather in regions like Inner Mongolia for vehicle testing [5]. - Traditional testing methods are becoming less effective in attracting attention, leading companies to create engaging winter experiences, such as Great Wall Motors' collaboration with Harbin Tourism Bureau for the "Harbin Ice and Snow Happy Week" [8][10]. - The "Long Spring First Ice Pot," a giant ice structure in Changchun, has become a popular destination, attracting over 1,000 vehicles for ice drifting experiences since its opening on January 10, 2026 [10][12]. Group 2: Cross-Industry Collaborations - Cross-industry marketing remains a popular strategy, with companies like Wangwang and Dong Mingzhu engaging in partnerships to attract consumer attention [15][20]. - Notable interactions include a humorous exchange between GAC Group's chairman and Gree Electric's chairman, which, despite being misinterpreted, enhanced the collaboration's visibility [22]. - BMW's playful marketing campaign during the New Year featured various humorous themes, effectively combining cultural elements with brand promotion [23][25]. Group 3: Community Engagement Initiatives - Xiaopeng Motors launched a "1000 Mobile Charging Stations" initiative, providing charging cables to 1,000 car owners, addressing the real needs of consumers during the Spring Festival [29][30]. - This initiative not only alleviates charging anxiety but also fosters a sense of community among car owners, enhancing brand warmth and consumer pride [33]. Group 4: Cultural and Brand Positioning - Volvo's innovative marketing approach involved a real-life simulation of a racing game, effectively engaging consumers by mimicking gaming experiences [34][37]. - GAC Aion capitalized on local cultural phenomena by creating a music video related to a trending song, thereby connecting emotionally with the audience [38][41]. - NIO's collaboration with the talk show "Thirteen Invitations" reflects a commitment to deeper values and long-term engagement rather than superficial marketing [42][45]. Group 5: Year-End Reflections and Celebrations - The automotive industry has seen a surge in year-end celebrations, with companies like Chasing and Mercedes-Benz using these events to enhance brand image and consumer engagement [49][51]. - The collective celebration of Mercedes-Benz's 140th anniversary showcased the industry's youthful spirit and creativity, with various brands participating in playful marketing campaigns [51].

Core Viewpoint - The performance of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in January was weak, with varying delivery numbers among major manufacturers, indicating potential challenges in the market [4]. Group 1: January NEV Performance - Li Auto's delivery volume decreased by 7.5% year-on-year and 37.5% month-on-month to 27,668 units [4] - NIO's delivery volume increased by 96.1% year-on-year but decreased by 43.5% month-on-month to 27,182 units, with the NIO brand up by 162.8% year-on-year [4] - Xpeng's delivery volume fell by 34.1% year-on-year and 46.6% month-on-month to 20,011 units [4] Group 2: New Model Launches - BYD announced new long-range versions of its models on January 7, 2026, to enhance product competitiveness [5] - Xpeng officially launched several new models on January 8, 2026, focusing on cost-effectiveness and intelligence [5] - Aito's M7 extended-range version was launched on January 13, 2026, and Leado's L60 model was launched on January 16, 2026 [5] Group 3: Purchase Incentives - Tesla is offering various financial incentives and reduced delivery times for its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles [6] - Li Auto has shortened delivery times for several models and extended purchase subsidies into February [6] - NIO and Xpeng have also adjusted delivery times and introduced low-interest financing options across their vehicle ranges [6][7] Group 4: AI Transformation and Material Cost Pressures - New energy vehicle companies are actively transitioning towards AI, with plans for humanoid robot production lines [8] - The prices of upstream materials such as copper, aluminum, and lithium carbonate have been rising since the end of 2025, which may pressure vehicle gross margins [8]

Market Overview - The three major U.S. stock indices opened mixed on February 3, with the Nasdaq up 0.36%, the Dow Jones up 0.22%, and the S&P 500 up 0.20% [1]. Index Performance - Dow Jones Industrial Average is at 49,515.08, up by 107.42 points, representing a 0.22% increase [2]. - Nasdaq Index stands at 23,676.02, up by 83.91 points, reflecting a 0.36% rise [2]. - S&P 500 is at 6,990.31, increasing by 13.87 points, which is a 0.20% gain [2]. Sector Performance - Mining stocks surged, with Coeur Mining rising over 8% and Pan American Silver increasing more than 6% [2]. - Storage sector showed strength, with Western Digital up over 4% and SanDisk up over 5% [3]. - Technology stocks mostly rose, with Intel increasing over 4% and Google rising more than 1% [4]. Chinese Stocks - The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index fell by 0.40%, with notable declines in stocks such as Bilibili, Alibaba, and NetEase, each down over 2%, and Baidu and JD down over 1%. However, Xpeng Motors rose over 2% [4]. Notable Declines - PayPal experienced a significant drop, falling over 18% [5].

Group 1 - The company has made significant organizational adjustments by merging its autonomous driving center and smart cockpit center into a new General Intelligence Center, led by Liu Xianming, who reports directly to CEO He Xiaopeng [2][6] - This restructuring aligns with the company's strategic shift towards becoming a "physical AI company," emphasizing the integration of AI capabilities into its product offerings [7] - The company launched four new models at the 2026 global product launch, with the Ultra and Ultra SE versions featuring the self-developed second-generation VLA (physical world large model), which aims to unify various intelligent terminals such as cars, Robotaxis, robots, and flying cars [7] Group 2 - The company is actively preparing for street tests of autonomous driving taxis and plans to initiate mass production of humanoid robots later this year, with both vehicles and robots serving as core carriers of "physical AI" [3][7] - In terms of market performance, the company reported the delivery of 20,011 new vehicles in January 2026, with an internal sales target set between 550,000 and 600,000 units for the entire year [3][8] - This sales target is established against a backdrop of intensified competition in the Chinese automotive market and ongoing price wars affecting industry profits [8]

据经济观察报-经济观察网 2026年1月，新势力车企销量格局发生显著变化。问界汽车、小米汽车和零 跑汽车以3万辆至4万辆的交付量，形成了新的"第一梯队"。具体来看，问界汽车1月交付约4万辆，同比 增长83%；小米汽车1月交付超3.9万辆，去年同期为超2万辆；零跑汽车1月全系交付达3.21万辆，同比 增长27%。与此同时，理想汽车、蔚来汽车和小鹏汽车1月销量在2万辆到3万辆之间，变为"第二梯 队"。蔚来1月交付新车2.72万辆，同比增长96.1%；理想汽车交付2.77万辆，同比下滑7.55%；小鹏汽车 交付2万辆，同比下滑34.07%。问界、小米与蔚来同比增幅显著。 ...

进入2026年1月后，新能源汽车购置税开始减半征收，车企购 置税兜底政策也随之结束。另外，1月各地具体的购车补贴细 则尚未全部出台，导致消费者存在观望情绪，影响了车市终端 销售情况。 作者：王帅国 封图：图虫创意 2月1日，各家车企相继发布了1月销量。从整体上看，汽车行业实现2026年"开门红"，大多数车 企1月销量同比取得正增长，但这一同比增长是由于2025年春节在1月，去年同期的新车销售基数 较低。 环比数据上，大多数车企1月销量下滑明显，主要原因在于2025年12月新能源汽车还享受购置税 全额减免政策，同时车企为年底冲量，在12月出台了许多其他优惠政策。进入2026年1月后，新 能源汽车购置税开始减半征收，车企购置税兜底政策也随之结束。另外，1月各地具体的购车补贴 细则尚未全部出台，导致消费者存在观望情绪，影响了车市终端销售情况。 广汽集团1月销量为11.66万辆，同比增长18.47%，环比下滑37.79%。其中自主品牌销量超4.9 万辆，同比增长87.58%；海外销量同比增长68.59%。分品牌来看，昊铂+埃安销量2.16万辆， 同比大增171.63%；传祺品牌销量2.77万辆，同比增长51.06%； ...

Core Viewpoint - The integration of AI technologies is reshaping the organizational structure of automotive companies, with XPeng Motors merging its autonomous driving and smart cockpit departments into a new General Intelligence Center, led by Liu Xianming, to enhance AI capabilities and resource allocation [5][7]. Group 1: Organizational Changes - XPeng Motors has combined its Autonomous Driving Center and Smart Cockpit Center into a General Intelligence Center, which will focus on AI applications across automotive and robotics sectors [5][7]. - Liu Xianming, previously responsible for autonomous driving, will lead the new center and report directly to CEO He Xiaopeng [5][7]. - The merger aims to centralize AI resources, allowing for more flexible resource distribution and coordinated development between smart driving and smart cockpit technologies [7]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - The new General Intelligence Center will establish secondary organizations focused on foundational models, infrastructure, platform delivery, and product quality, supporting applications in smart driving, smart cockpit, and robotics [5][7]. - XPeng's recent vehicle models, including the Ultra, utilize advanced Turing chips for both smart driving and smart cockpit functionalities, with plans to roll out a self-developed second-generation VLA visual-action model starting March [8]. - The integration reflects a broader industry trend where companies like Tesla are also merging AI capabilities with vehicle production, indicating a shift towards a more unified approach in automotive AI development [8]. Group 3: Strategic Vision - He Xiaopeng has articulated a vision for XPeng to evolve into a global physical AI technology company, leveraging a unified AI technology system to drive various forms of "robots," including cars and humanoid robots, into the global market [8]. - XPeng achieved significant growth in vehicle deliveries, with a total of 429,000 units delivered in the previous year, marking a 126% year-on-year increase [8].