Introduction

Hey everyone, a new twist has emerged in the new energy vehicle industry!

This time, the protagonists are two automakers that were once in the spotlight but now find themselves in dire straits—Baoneng and WM Motor.

One is burdened with over 12 billion yuan in executed amounts, while the other's total liabilities exceed 20 billion yuan. These two 'unlucky brothers' have unexpectedly come together in a 'weak-weak union' drama.

Is this a desperate self-rescue mission or the prelude to even greater risks?

Today, Unmanned Vehicles Are Coming (WeChat public account: Unmanned Vehicles Are Coming) will delve into the story behind this union and see how this drama unfolds!

(For reference, please click: After spending 170,000 yuan on a car, the automaker went bankrupt! Automakers that have faded away in recent years: HiPhi, WM Motor, Baoneng, Leading Ideal, Singulato, Landwind, KDI, Youngman, Thalys, Byton, Borac, LeTV, Aichi, etc.)

I. Baoneng and WM Motor's 'Union': True Love or Helplessness?

Let's talk about Baoneng and WM Motor, both of which were once leaders in the new energy vehicle industry.

Baoneng, a real estate giant turned automotive aspirant, once aimed to make a big splash in the automotive sector.

WM Motor, one of the four dragons of the new forces in car manufacturing, was in the limelight and once put NIO and XPeng under immense pressure.

However, times have changed, and these two former 'big shots' are now in trouble.

Baoneng Auto has struggled in the automotive sector since acquiring Qoros in 2017, investing heavily but failing to see returns, instead plunging into a debt crisis.

WM Motor, having fallen from grace, faces a broken capital chain, insufficient product competitiveness, and a collapsed after-sales system, ultimately embarking on the path of bankruptcy reorganization.

At this juncture, Baoneng Auto has stepped forward and expressed its intention to acquire WM Motor.

This news immediately caused a stir in the new energy vehicle industry.

Everyone is speculating whether this is a self-rescue move by Baoneng, a lifeline for WM Motor, or if these two 'unlucky brothers' want to band together to weather the cold winter of the market.

II. Baoneng's 'Little Calculation': The Temptation of Production Qualifications and Factories

The reason behind Baoneng's desire to acquire WM Motor is not complicated.

After years of struggling in the automotive sector, Baoneng Auto has consistently faced one problem—a shortage of production qualifications.

WM Motor, on the other hand, holds new energy vehicle production qualifications and owns the Wenzhou factory. This is undoubtedly a huge temptation for Baoneng.

Image source: Baoneng official website

With production qualifications, you have an entry ticket; with a factory, you can save significant infrastructure costs. This is a golden opportunity!

Therefore, Baoneng Auto will do everything possible to bring WM Motor into its fold.

Of course, Baoneng is not naive. They know that WM Motor is heavily indebted and fraught with problems.

But in their view, these problems can be solved through capital operations. As long as they can obtain production qualifications and factories, everything else is secondary.

III. WM Motor's 'Dream of Rebirth': Can Over 10 Billion Yuan in Investment Bring a Future?

For WM Motor, being acquired by Baoneng Auto is undoubtedly an opportunity for 'rebirth'.

After all, WM Motor is already in a desperate situation, and without a new way out, it faces elimination by the market.

The conditions offered by Baoneng Auto have given WM Motor hope.

According to WM Motor's reorganization plan (draft), Shenzhen Xiangfei will invest over 10 billion yuan to revive WM Motor. The goal is to resume production at the Wenzhou factory by 2025, achieve annual sales of over 600,000 vehicles by 2027, global sales of over 1 million vehicles by 2029, and a valuation of 150 billion yuan.

This sounds like a feast of 'rebirth'! WM Motor seems to envision its future glory.

Image source: WM Motor official website

However, reality is harsh. WM Motor still faces many challenges if it wants to truly revive.

First, there is the issue of funding. Although Baoneng Auto has promised to invest over 10 billion yuan, it remains uncertain whether this money will actually be disbursed.

After all, Baoneng Auto itself is deeply mired in a debt crisis, and its capital chain is tight.

Second, there is the issue of market trust. WM Motor's brand reputation was severely damaged due to spontaneous combustion incidents and the 'battery lock' controversy.

Even if funding is secured, rebuilding consumer trust and the sales network is a more arduous task than production.

IV. The 'Resurrection Wave' in the New Energy Vehicle Industry: An Opportunity or a Challenge?

In fact, Baoneng's acquisition of WM Motor is just a microcosm of the 'resurrection wave' in the new energy vehicle industry.

In recent years, with the rapid development of the new energy vehicle market, more and more automakers have begun to struggle. However, at the same time, more and more automakers are seeking 'resurrection' opportunities.

Some automakers attempt to return to the track through reorganization and strategic investment;

Others seek new vitality in overseas markets through international expansion.

The 'resurrection' path of these automakers is fraught with both opportunities and challenges.

For Baoneng Auto and WM Motor, their 'union' is undoubtedly a bold attempt.

If successful, they will become the 'Avengers Alliance of Resurrection' in the new energy vehicle industry, jointly resisting the cold winter of the market.

If they fail, they may become the 'unlucky brothers' in the new energy vehicle industry, jointly eliminated by the market.

V. Netizens' Hot Discussion: Is It 'Negative Multiplied by Negative Equals Positive' or 'Adding Insult to Injury'?

As soon as the news of Baoneng's acquisition of WM Motor broke, it immediately sparked heated discussions among netizens.

Some netizens expressed support, believing that this is a group hug between two losers that may create a miracle.

Others expressed opposition, believing that this is a combination of two 'messes' that will only make the situation worse.

Image source: Solitary Lamp Cold Moon

Some netizens joked, 'Baoneng and WM Motor are simply the 'unlucky brothers' in the new energy vehicle industry! Are they coming together to stage a miracle of 'negative multiplied by negative equals positive' or to 'add insult to injury' and make the market even more chaotic?'

Others expressed concern, 'Baoneng Auto itself is deeply mired in a debt crisis, where does it get the money to acquire WM Motor? Isn't this just another capital game?'

There were also netizens who said, 'In the end, if WM Motor is not rescued, it may drag Baoneng Auto down, and that would be quite a spectacle!'

VI. Expert Views: Rational View, Cautious Optimism

Regarding the event of Baoneng acquiring WM Motor, experts have also given their opinions.

They believe that this event has both positive and negative aspects.

On the positive side, this event reflects the determination and courage of new energy vehicle companies to seek breakthroughs in difficulties.

Through reorganization, strategic investment, and other means, automakers can integrate resources, optimize structures, and enhance competitiveness, thereby better coping with market challenges.

On the negative side, this event is also fraught with uncertainties and risks.

After all, both Baoneng Auto and WM Motor face many problems, such as tight capital chains, damaged brand reputations, and low market trust.

If these problems cannot be effectively resolved, their 'union' may only be a short-lived carnival.

Therefore, experts recommend that everyone view this event rationally, seeing both the opportunities and hopes, as well as the risks and challenges.

For automakers, the most important thing is to be down-to-earth, move forward steadily, and continuously improve their core competitiveness and market adaptability.

VII. Future Outlook: A 'Major Reshuffle' in the New Energy Vehicle Industry

Regardless of the final outcome of Baoneng's acquisition of WM Motor, it reflects that the new energy vehicle industry is undergoing a 'major reshuffle'.

In this reshuffle, some automakers will rise, some will fall; some will be reborn, and some will perish.

For automakers, to survive this reshuffle, they must continuously improve their core competitiveness and market adaptability. This includes technological innovation, product upgrades, brand building, channel expansion, and other aspects.

At the same time, automakers also need to closely monitor market dynamics and policy changes, and adjust their strategies and tactics in a timely manner.

Only in this way can they remain invincible in the fierce market competition.

The WM Motor exhibit car in the Baoneng exhibition hall is covered with dust, much like the fate of this acquisition—it seems to be restarting, but in reality, it is still undecided.

As the new energy reshuffle enters a 'pressure race', technology, capital, and reputation are all indispensable, and it is precisely these three things that Baoneng and WM Motor lack. This 'weak-weak union' drama of Baoneng acquiring WM Motor is fraught with uncertainties and risks.

Whether this high-stakes gamble will ultimately pay off remains to be seen.

#Unmanned Vehicles Are Coming #Self-Driving #Autonomous Driving #New Energy Vehicles