Chinese EV Makers Reportedly Pursue Tech Sales

Li Auto and Xpeng are pushing to sell in-house EV and AI technology beyond their own vehicles, recent reports say. On Sept. 18, 36Kr, citing industry sources, said Li Auto is seeking outside customers for Mach driver-assistance chips, silicon-carbide modules and range extenders after senior management approved spinning off the chip business. The firm formed Xinchuang Zhihe (Shanghai) Technology Co Ltd on July 13. The Mach M100, on a 5nm process, delivers 1,280 TOPS per chip. Sike Semiconductor, 70% held by Li Auto, moved to independent operations after a February reporting change and is preparing an IPO. Li Auto posted a 1.7 billion yuan ($251 million) Q2 net loss against a 1.1 billion yuan profit a year earlier, with 87.5 billion yuan in cash and about 3 billion yuan in quarterly R&D for six straight quarters. Nio has spun chips into GeniTech (Shenji); a Sept. 2 report said its M97 chip drew Geely interest with no supply deal disclosed. Reuters first reported on Sept. 17 that Xpeng plans to offer electrical and electronic architecture, cockpit systems, Turing AI chips and ADAS software to foreign carmakers, software firms and suppliers beyond Volkswagen. An IRON robot demo showed it completing assembly and walking off the line; Xpeng also unveiled the G9L SUV in Beijing. Contested: No factual disputes found. Sources did not report any signed Li Auto external supply contracts.