Li Auto Selects Hesai as Exclusive Lidar Provider for Upcoming Generation Models

Robotics Investment Trends: The robotics sector is gaining political support in the U.S., with potential executive orders and initiatives from the Department of Commerce aimed at promoting the industry, leading to increased interest in robotics ETFs like ROBO and BOTZ.

Electric Vehicle ETF Dynamics: In contrast, electric vehicle (EV) ETFs are influenced by car sales, battery prices, and consumer demand, making them more volatile and cyclical compared to the steadier robotics investments.

Government Support for Robotics: The U.S. government views robotics and advanced manufacturing as essential for domestic production, with discussions around a national robotics commission and the potential for robotics to help address national debt.

Investment Strategy Outlook: Robotics ETFs are seen as a long-term, stable investment supported by government policy, while EV ETFs are characterized by higher risk and potential for significant price swings based on market conditions.

Einride's SPAC Deal: Autonomous EV freight trucking company Einride plans to go public through a SPAC deal with Legato Merger Corp. III, aiming to raise $219 million, potentially valuing the company at around $1.8 billion.

Technological Innovations: Founded in 2016, Einride has developed a proprietary ecosystem for electric and autonomous freight transport, utilizing its data-driven operating system, Saga, to enhance operational efficiency and decarbonization efforts for clients.

Strong Commercial Validation: Einride has achieved a run-rate ARR of approximately $45 million, with a total contracted base of $65 million in signed customer contracts, showcasing its reliability with a 99.7% on-time performance rate.

Partnerships and Investors: The company collaborates with major firms like PepsiCo and Heineken, and has notable investors including EQT Ventures and Maersk’s venture capital arm, positioning itself strongly in the autonomous trucking market alongside competitors like Aurora Innovation and Waymo.

Hesai Technology and Li Auto Partnership: Hesai Technology has become the exclusive lidar supplier for Li Auto's next-generation assisted driving platform, enhancing Li Auto's smart driving capabilities across all upcoming models.

Focus on Safety and Intelligence: The partnership emphasizes the integration of advanced lidar technology in new Li Auto models, which now include lidar as standard equipment to improve driver safety and vehicle intelligence.

Financial Performance: Hesai reported strong Q3 2025 results, with adjusted earnings per share of 28 cents and revenue of $111.7 million, reflecting increased demand for lidar units and improved production efficiency.

Market Positioning: The renewed agreement between Hesai and Li Auto aims to accelerate the global adoption of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), positioning Hesai for continued growth in the expanding market for driver-assistance technologies.

Rivian's Strong Performance: Rivian Automotive's stock surged over 25% following a strong third-quarter report, with a 78% year-over-year revenue increase to $1.56 billion and a positive gross profit of $24 million, despite a wider-than-expected loss per share.

Impact on EV ETFs: The rebound in Rivian's stock positively affected various EV-focused ETFs, which saw gains ranging from 1% to 1.8%, recovering from a previous slump due to profit-taking and concerns over rising costs.

Long-Term Market Outlook: Analysts maintain a positive long-term outlook for the EV market, with forecasts suggesting a global market cap of $1.1 trillion by 2030, and diversified ETFs providing exposure to a broader range of companies in the mobility sector.

Caution Ahead: Despite the recent surge, analysts caution that challenges such as profitability issues, high borrowing costs, and policy uncertainties could impact the EV market, indicating that the road ahead may be volatile.

Partnership Overview: Toast Inc. and Uber Technologies Inc. have formed a multi-year global partnership to enhance restaurant digital operations and online sales, starting in the U.S. and Canada before expanding internationally in 2026.

Integration Benefits: The collaboration will make Uber the preferred food delivery service for Toast users, allowing restaurant owners to manage promotions and advertising directly through Toast’s platform, improving order and delivery management.

Expansion Plans: The partnership will extend delivery integrations to Canada, Ireland, and the UK, building on their previous collaboration that began in 2021 and expanded in 2024.

Leadership Insights: Toast's CEO emphasized the partnership's goal of creating a seamless experience for restaurants, while Uber's Global Head of Delivery highlighted the potential for merchants to unlock new revenue with reduced complexity.

Ford's Strong Q3 Performance: Ford Motor Co reported a solid third-quarter performance, with earnings of 45 cents per share and $47.18 billion in sales, surpassing Wall Street expectations and boosting investor confidence.

Production Halt of F-150 Lightning: The company has halted production of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup due to aluminum shortages, signaling a strategic shift towards more profitable gasoline and hybrid trucks.

Shift in EV Strategy: Ford plans to reallocate its EV assembly staff to increase hybrid output at the Dearborn Truck Plant, aiming to produce an additional 45,000 hybrid F-Series trucks by 2026, reflecting a focus on profitability alongside innovation.

Market Reaction and ETF Impact: Following Ford's announcements, auto and EV-related ETFs saw gains, indicating a broader market trend where investors prioritize profitability over pure electric vehicle production.