March 25 News: Since the onset of March, the application of lidar in the automotive sector has witnessed a surge. Amidst the escalating "arms race" for autonomous driving technology among automakers, lidar manufacturers have emerged as the primary beneficiaries. A prominent industry leader has disclosed that lidar orders have "skyrocketed." This individual elaborated that through secured supply agreements, lidar suppliers can anticipate demand for the upcoming 1-2 years, forecasting a substantial increase this year. Nonetheless, the lidar industry, marked by high market concentration, grapples with intense internal competition. Automakers employ an AB supplier strategy, posing a threat where orders could potentially be diverted to competitors. For instance, while BYD collaborates with RoboSense, it has also tapped Hesai Technology as a supplier for certain models.
