Introduction

Hey folks, the winds of autonomous driving have been blowing fiercely of late. It seems like overnight, everyone is talking about it.

2024 has been hailed as the "inaugural year" of autonomous driving, with the entire industry surging forward like never before.

By 2025, the momentum has not waned but intensified.

Today, Unmanned Vehicles Are Coming (WeChat public account: Unmanned Vehicles Are Coming) delves into the intricacies of autonomous driving.

(For reference, please click:

"Returning to Peak Traffic from the Fifth to Ninth Day of the Lunar New Year! The Call for Autonomous Driving During the Spring Festival Travel Rush: Who Will Save My Bladder During Traffic Jams?")

I. The Meteoric Rise of Autonomous Driving in 2024, the First Year

1. Policy Tailwinds, Pilot Programs Initiated

In 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and four other departments took bold steps to propel pilot programs for the "integration of vehicles, roads, and clouds," designating 20 cities as the first batch of pilot locations. This was akin to a shot in the arm for autonomous driving.

Regions also caught up, introducing local legislation related to autonomous driving one after another, paving the way for these high-speed vehicles to travel unimpeded.

2. Technological Breakthroughs, Surge in Popularity

Baidu's Robotaxi service, Luobo Kuaipao, became a trending topic on Wuhan's streets, while Tesla's Robotaxi also unveiled its secrets.

In Forbes' 2024 list of "Top Ten Milestones in Global Autonomous Driving," Luobo Kuaipao's sixth-generation driverless vehicle made the cut, being the only Chinese autonomous driving company on the list—a true source of pride for our compatriots.

Moreover, Tesla's FSD system continues to evolve, with rumors of its entry into China filling the market with endless speculations about end-to-end autonomous driving technology, akin to throwing a stone into a calm lake, causing ripples.

3. Capital Frenzy, Wave of IPOs

The capital market is the most perceptive. Upon sensing opportunities, multiple Chinese autonomous driving companies, as if on cue, rushed to go public.

Companies like Horizon Robotics, WeRide, Pony.ai, and Youjia Technology successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and U.S. stock markets, with financing and valuations soaring.

In the 2024 ranking of Chinese companies' financing amounts in U.S. IPOs, Zeekr, WeRide, and Pony.ai ranked top three. This was indeed a capital feast.

II. The Intense Competition in 2025, the Decisive Year

(I) Giant Layouts, Promising Futures

Entering 2025, the popularity of autonomous driving continues to soar.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced during an earnings call that the company plans to launch the Full Self-Driving (FSD) version in Austin, Texas, in June 2025 and expand it to the North American market by 2027.

This news shook the entire industry, akin to the martial arts alliance announcing a martial arts conference, with heroes from all walks of life eager to participate.

(II) Cost Plunge, Popularization in Sight

Professor Zhu Xichan from Tongji University's School of Automotive Studies stated that 2025 is the decisive year for autonomous driving, and he's absolutely correct.

The BOM cost of Robotaxi has plummeted from an initial 3 million yuan to just 70,000 yuan or even lower now.

The cost of NOA is also continuously decreasing. It is expected that by 2025, NOA products with a cost below 3,000 yuan will enter the market, with a penetration rate expected to exceed 40%.

This cost reduction is faster than a roller coaster ride, making it feel like autonomous driving is becoming increasingly accessible.

(III) Investment Opportunities, Endless Possibilities

Kaiyuan Securities stated that the core stage of autonomous driving is the function and experience of L4-level Robotaxi.

The release of Tesla's Cybercab signifies that 2025-2026 will be the era of large-scale commercialization of L4-level autonomous driving in the United States.

The technological gap between domestic and overseas players is gradually narrowing, which also means that true L4-level autonomous driving has arrived in China, and the golden moment for investment has come.

Folks, this is a windfall. Seize it, and you might just achieve financial freedom.

III. Autonomous Driving Concept Stocks, Astonishing Growth

1. Skyrocketing Market Value, Led by Giants

The current combined market value of autonomous driving concept stocks stands at 3.34 trillion yuan, with the market value of nine stocks exceeding 100 billion yuan.

BYD, Hikvision, and Thalys rank top in terms of market value, reaching 773.131 billion yuan, 268.04 billion yuan, and 200.484 billion yuan, respectively. These companies are akin to aircraft carriers in the autonomous driving field, leading the entire sector forward.

2. Soaring Share Prices, Wealth Creation

In 2024, the average share price of autonomous driving concept stocks increased by 8.95%.

Shuanglin Co., Ltd. and JAC Motor Corporation Limited led the gains, with year-on-year increases of 167.55% and 132.42%, respectively.

The share prices of Runhe Software, Kinglong Motor, Thalys, and Autel Intelligent Technology also increased by over 70%. This growth rate is faster than a rocket, and those who invested in these stocks must be overjoyed.

3. Outstanding Performance, Strength in Execution

Currently, more than half of the autonomous driving concept stocks have released 2024 performance previews, bulletins, or annual reports.

Combining the lower limits of previews, bulletins, and annual reports, Great Wall Motor, Thalys, Well Lead, Top Group, and four other stocks rank top in terms of 2024 net profit, all exceeding 1 billion yuan.

Great Wall Motor predicts a net profit of approximately 12.4 billion to 13 billion yuan in 2024, with a net profit increase of over 100% for six stocks. The performance growth of Quectel, Shuanglin Co., Ltd., and Well Lead all exceeded 400%.

This performance is truly impressive, demonstrating the potential for significant earnings in this field.

In summary, Unmanned Vehicles Are Coming (WeChat public account: Unmanned Vehicles Are Coming) believes that autonomous driving exploded in 2024, the inaugural year, and entered the decisive year in 2025. Whether it's technological breakthroughs, market expansion, or capital inflows, this industry is brimming with endless possibilities. For us onlookers, this is both a technological feast and an investment opportunity.

However, investment carries risks, and entering the market requires caution. This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice. While we are excited, we must also remain vigilant. Perhaps, the next one to achieve financial freedom through autonomous driving will be you!

What do you think, dear reader?