Anhui Shenji Technology Co., Ltd., a stand-alone entity carved out from NIO's internal chip R&D division, has recently concluded its inaugural round of external financing, securing over 2 billion yuan. Post-investment, the company's valuation has soared to nearly 10 billion yuan, and preparations for subsequent funding rounds are already underway. Anhui Shenji, the recipient of this investment, forged a joint venture with other firms last year to establish Chongqing Chuangyuan Zhihang Technology Co., Ltd., with the ambition to extend its market reach beyond NIO's existing customer base.

NIO embarked on its chip development journey in 2021, and after approximately four years of rigorous R&D, its first intelligent driving chip, the "Shenji NX9031," has successfully entered mass production. This chip boasts performance metrics that outshine those of industry-standard chips and has been integrated into multiple vehicle models. However, it's crucial to note that computational prowess alone does not guarantee an enhanced user experience.

Li Bin, the founder of NIO, revealed that the R&D expenditure for this chip is roughly on par with the cost of constructing 1,500 battery swap stations. This investment translates into a cost advantage of approximately 10,000 yuan per vehicle. The initial outlay is projected to be recouped within roughly two years. Nevertheless, when juxtaposed with certain domestically produced chips, this cost advantage appears less pronounced.

With the infusion of external investment, Anhui Shenji has transitioned from a phase of internal nurturing to one centered on realizing a return on investment. Li Bin has also repeatedly alluded to the potential for selling and licensing these chips to external parties.

In terms of business strategy, NIO has reaffirmed its focus for 2026: to establish the CBU mechanism, attain its annual Non-GAAP profitability target, and progress towards a state of profitability equilibrium through technological innovation and stringent cost control.