Hozon Auto

Hozon Auto was founded in 2014 in the Zhejiang province, co-founded by Beijing Sinohytec and Zhejiang Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University and is based in Jiaxing.{{cite web |title=HOZON Auto Launches R&D Center in Silicon Valley to Explore Autonomous Driving |url=https://www.futurecar.com/2163/HOZON-Auto-Launches-R&D-Center-in-Silicon-Valley-to-Explore-Autonomous-Driving |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428171436/https://www.futurecar.com/2163/HOZON-Auto-Launches-R&D-Center-in-Silicon-Valley-to-Explore-Autonomous-Driving |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |website=Future Car |access-date=28 April 2019 |date=17 April 2018 }} It opened an Autonomous Vehicle Research Centre in California's Silicon Valley in 2018, and a Beijing-based Design Centre opened in March 2019. Its current headquarters are located in Putuo District, Shanghai, which was opened in 2023.{{Cite web |title=联系我们-哪吒汽车官网 |url=https://www.hozonauto.com/contact.html |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=www.hozonauto.com}}

The company announced its first concept car in 2017.{{cite web |title=Hozon Auto Is Another New EV Brand From China |url=https://carnewschina.com/2017/04/28/hozon-auto-another-new-ev-brand-china/ |website=Car News China |access-date=28 April 2019 |date=28 April 2017}} The first production model Neta N01 compact SUV was launched in 2018{{cite web |title=New horizons for Hozon as it opens design center ahead of Shanghai car launch |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201904/01/WS5ca18428a3104842260b3ad3.html |website=China Daily |access-date=28 April 2019 |date=1 April 2019}} built on its HPA platform along with the launch of the Neta brand, with orders for the mid-sized Neta U SUV based on the HPC platform being taken in 2019.{{Cite web |author=Hu |date=17 May 2019 |title=Hozon Auto Launched Its 2nd All-Electric SUV – Hozon U At 2019 Shanghai Show and Opened for Pre-sale |url=https://www.chinapev.com/ev-2/hozon/hozon-auto-launched-its-2nd-all-electric-suv-hozon-u-at-2019-shanghai-show-and-opened-for-pre-sale/ |access-date=17 December 2020 |website=Chinapev}} The company has plans for further models based on the two platforms.

In terms of the number of vehicles delivered and sold in 2021, the company was ranked fourth in the Chinese EV market after XPeng, Li Auto, and NIO. Compared to its competitors, it focuses on the low-priced market.{{Cite web|title=ローエンドEV「Neta（哪吒）」、今年上半期販売数で2位に浮上——低価格化成功の裏に、アンチウイルス企業の存在 - BRIDGE（ブリッジ）テクノロジー＆スタートアップ情報 |url=https://thebridge.jp/2022/09/canvas-chinese-ev-makers-hozon |website=thebridge.jp |date=2022-09-18 |access-date=2023-06-09 |language=ja}}

The company's deliveries from January to November 2022 are expected to reach 144,278 units, making it the first emerging EV manufacturer to achieve annual sales of more than 150,000 units. The total number of vehicles delivered since the brand was established is 240,255. While it took 42 months to reach 100,000 units, it took only eight months to go from 100,000 to 200,000 units.{{Cite web|title=中国EV「哪吒汽車」、年間販売台数15万台超見込む、新興メーカーで初 {{!}} 36Kr Japan {{!}} 最大級の中国テック・スタートアップ専門メディア |url=https://36kr.jp/216683/ |date=2023-01-04 |access-date=2023-06-09 |language=ja}}

In March 2024, in order to alleviate the financial pressure of Hozon and facilitate its expansion in overseas markets, the government of Hong Kong announced to provide a subsidy of up to HK$ 200 million (25.6 million USD). The Hong Kong government also promise to assist its cornerstone round of IPO and rise 200 million USD. In return, Hozon will establish a manufacturing plant in Hong Kong.{{Cite web |last=Shen |first=Jill |date=2024-03-21 |title=HK gov to provide $25.6 mln subsidy to China EV maker Hozon · TechNode |url=http://technode.com/2024/03/21/hong-kong-to-provide-25-6-million-subsidy-to-china-ev-maker-hozon-auto/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=TechNode |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=哪吒汽车与香港政府签约，获2亿港元补贴 |url=https://www.stcn.com/article/detail/1152147.html |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=www.stcn.com}}

In April 2024, three investment companies founded by the governments of Yichun, Tongxiang and Nanning, announced that they will jointly inject 5 billion RMB (691 million USD) into Hozon to alleviate financial pressures and for a future IPO.

In March 2025, Hozon Auto announced that it had reached debt-to-equity agreements totaling over 2 billion yuan with 134 domestic core suppliers. This debt-to-equity plan received support from leading suppliers such as CATL, Gotion High-Tech, BDStar Intelligent & Connected, and Greenway Automotive Lighting.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-25 |title=哪吒“双线突围” ：债转股重组与东南亚破局 |url=https://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2025-03-25/doc-ineqwfyn5780288.shtml?cre=tianyi&mod=pchp&loc=4&r=0&rfunc=8&tj=cxvertical_pc_hp&tr=12 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=finance.sina.com.cn}} In the same month, at a dealer conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Hozon Auto also signed four key agreements with local suppliers and financial institutions, securing a credit line of 10 billion Thai baht (approximately 2.15 billion yuan). The company plans to begin localized production of the Neta X in Thailand July.

In March 2023, Hozon Auto announced the construction of its first overseas production facility in Bangkok, Thailand. The facility is scheduled to operate at the end of January 2024 and will target at manufacturing and exporting right-hand drive electric cars to ASEAN countries.{{Cite web |title=Neta starts building EV factory in Thailand - electrive.com |url=https://www.electrive.com/2023/03/14/neta-starts-building-ev-factory-in-thailand/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=www.electrive.com/ |language=en-US}} In November 2023, Neta Auto (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with its partner, Bangchan General Assembly Co., Ltd. (BGAC), started assembling right-hand drive electric cars in Thailand, with its first model the Neta V-II. At this point, over 12,000 units of the imported Neta V have been delivered within Thailand.{{Cite web |title=NETA Auto completes assembly of first right-hand-drive EV in Thailand |url=https://autonews.gasgoo.com/m/70029748.html |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=autonews.gasgoo.com}}

In August 2023, Hozon Auto through its subsidiary PT Neta Auto Indonesia introduced the Neta V in Indonesia, with deliveries commenced in November 2023.{{Cite web |last=Sudjatmiko |first=Suryo |title=Neta Resmi Hadir Di Indonesia, Boyong Tiga Model Sekaligus |url=http://otodriver.com/berita/2023/neta-resmi-hadir-di-indonesia-boyong-tiga-model-sekaligus-netdcagegus |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=Oto Driver |language=Indonesian}} In April 2024, Neta Auto Indonesia started assembling vehicles at the PT Handal Motor Indonesia plant, with the facelifted V-II.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-25 |title=PT NETA Auto Indonesia Celebrates First Local Production of NETA V-II with Line Off Celebration |url=https://neta.co.id/en/news/pt-neta-auto-indonesia-rayakan-produksi-lokal-pertama-neta-v-ii-dengan-line-off-celebration |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=neta.co.id}}

In 2024, Hozon Auto started an operation in Brazil and announced a local factory for 2025. The Brazilian factory will supply all of South America continent. Hozon Auto expands into Africa in 2024 by entering Kenya.{{Cite web |last=Hmedium |title=NETA Auto Expands into Africa with Kenya Launch, Unveiling New Vision for Globalization |url=https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/214603/NETA-Auto-Expands-into-Africa-with-Kenya-Launch-Unveiling-New-Vision-for-Globalization |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Newsfile |language=en}}

Hozon Auto currently has a single brand called Neta.

• Neta S (2021–present), midsize sedan/estate wagon, BEV/REEV
• Neta GT (2023–present), midsize sports car, BEV
• Neta L (2024–present), midsize SUV, BEV/REEV
• Neta U/X (2019–present), compact SUV, BEV
• Neta V/Aya (2020–present), subcompact SUV, BEV

File:(SGP-Singapore) Showcar Neta X No-plate 2025-01-11.jpg|Neta X

File:Neta L 001.jpg|Neta L

File:Neta S 008.jpg|Neta S

File:Neta GT 003.jpg|Neta GT

File:Neta V 001.jpg|Neta V

• Neta N01 (2018–2020), subcompact SUV, BEV

File:Hozon Neta N01 001.jpg|Neta N01

File:Neta N03 Concept 001.jpg|Neta Eureka 01 Concept

File:Neta Eureka 02 Concept 001.jpg|Neta Eureka 02 Concept

File:Neta Eureka 03 002.jpg|Neta Eureka 03 Concept

File:Hozon U 001.jpg|Neta U Concept

In 2024, several Neta owners said that the insurance premiums for Neta vehicles risen sharply, and they were even rejected by several auto insurance companies. Some auto insurance companies responded that most Hozon car buyers use them as online ride-hailing vehicles, and the high rate of accidents caused by online ride-hailing vehicles has greatly increased the cost of auto insurance companies. Industry experts pointed out that Hozon Auto cannot communicate or reach an agreement with the insurance company on premium issues, it will affect Hozon Auto's sales volume.{{cite news |title=哪吒汽车被多家保险公司拒投保或提高保费，消费者：打算换车了 |url=https://www.donews.com/news/detail/1/4451448.html |accessdate=2024-08-08 |work=DoNews |date=2024-08-07 |language=zh-CN}}

In February 2024, several Hozon Auto employees broke the news on workplace social media, CEO Zhang Yong’s previous promise to pay year-end bonuses in the first week of work was not fulfilled, and he was even told that the payment would be delayed by one month. Zhang Yong later responded that the annual performance payment coefficient and amount are being confirmed, emphasizing that employees' wages, social security and bonuses have never been delayed since 2016. He also said that "a small number of employees in the company are not used to hard times" and "it is necessary to pass on the coldness to everyone."{{Cite news |url=https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_26468443 |title=哪吒汽车CEO回应"年终奖延发"：少部分员工不习惯苦日子，有必要把寒气传到每个人 |author=戚夜云 |work=第一财经 |date=2024-02-26 |accessdate=2024-10-31 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616225429/https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_26468443 |archivedate=2024-06-16 |url-status=live}}

On October 15, 2024, another employee broke the news that he had not received last month’s salary; Hozon Auto responded to the media the next day, saying that the company's front-line employees' salaries were paid on time, but the salary structure of mid- and senior-level employees was being adjusted recently, so the salary of some employees was slightly delayed.{{Cite news |url=https://www.yicai.com/news/102315416.html |title=哪吒汽车再传欠薪，内部人士称下午已收到工资，仅迟发一天 |author=肖逸思 |work=第一财经 |date=2024-10-16 |accessdate=2024-10-31 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241105003609/https://www.yicai.com/news/102315416.html |archivedate=2024-11-05 |url-status=live}} At the end of the same month, an online media outlet received information from a Hozon Auto employee that Hozon Auto had begun implementing a salary cut plan for all R&D personnel. The salary cuts for more than 1,000 employees range from 5% to 30%, which should correspond to the earlier "salary structure adjustment".{{Cite news |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/821894707_120810994 |title=独家{{!}}哪吒汽车研发岗全员降薪：相关员工最高降幅30% |work=知危 |date=2024-10-30 |accessdate=2024-10-31 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20241030041930/https://www.sohu.com/a/821894707_120810994 |archivedate=2024-10-30 |url-status=dead}} Hozon Auto responded that the salary increase plan is part of the company's goal of achieving positive cash flow as soon as possible. The company also launched a full-staff equity incentive plan, allocating 5% of the shares to all employees as incentives; the company will also implement organizational streamlining, Cutting redundant staff, focusing on business, flattening management and other cost-cutting and efficiency-enhancing measures.{{Cite news |url=https://www.yicai.com/news/102334322.html |title=哪吒汽车回应降薪传闻：将精简机构，裁汰冗员 |author=肖逸思 |work=第一财经 |date=2024-10-30 |accessdate=2024-10-31 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126203032/https://www.yicai.com/news/102334322.html |archivedate=2024-11-26 |url-status=live}} On November 7, media reported that Hozon Auto launched a large-scale layoff that day, with the layoff rate reaching up to 70%, but the company denied it.{{Cite news |url=https://www.21jingji.com/article/20241107/herald/bb3c3e387a39dff1f97b48655dd20677.html |title=10月销量成谜，哪吒汽车再传大消息 |work=21世纪经济报道 |date=2024-11-07 |accessdate=2024-11-07 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107113208/https://www.21jingji.com/article/20241107/herald/bb3c3e387a39dff1f97b48655dd20677.html |archivedate=2024-11-07 |url-status=live}}

On November 14, 2024, Hozon Auto told the media that the company is promoting major strategic adjustments, including streamlining its structure and focusing on its core business. To further improve operational efficiency, the company will allocate more resources to overseas market expansion and plans to achieve positive operating cash flow in February 2025. Hozon Auto also announced that it has reached a cooperation agreement with Nanning Industrial Investment Group, which will provide financial support for the company's supply chain.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbd.com.cn/articles/2024-11-14/3645176.html |title=正推进重大战略调整？ 哪吒汽车：力争明年2月实现经营现金流转正 |author=李星 |work=每日经济新闻 |date=2024-11-14 |accessdate=2024-11-18 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241114163117/https://www.nbd.com.cn/articles/2024-11-14/3645176.html |archivedate=2024-11-14 |url-status=live}} On December 6, Hozon Automobile announced that Zhang Yong would no longer serve as the company's CEO and would become a company consultant; the company's founder and chairman Fang Yunzhou would concurrently serve as CEO. Fang Yunzhou issued an internal letter to all employees on the same day, admitting that the company was in operational difficulties and stating that he "bears the primary responsibility and deeply apologizes to everyone."{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbd.com.cn/articles/2024-12-06/3675666.html |title=未离职！张勇不再担任哪吒汽车CEO，转任公司顾问 |author=李星 |work=每日经济新闻 |date=2024-12-06 |accessdate=2024-12-06 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206144949/https://www.nbd.com.cn/articles/2024-12-06/3675666.html |archivedate=2024-12-06 |url-status=live}}

In March 2025, Neta Auto proposed at a supplier conference that 70% of its debts would be converted into equity of its parent company Hozon Auto, and the remaining 30% would be repaid in interest-free installments in cash, but this plan was not approved by all suppliers.{{Cite news |url=https://www.21jingji.com/article/20250319/herald/023869be32dca67fb93189ef2050f060.html |title=21现场｜直击哪吒与供应商沟通会，部分供应商接受“债转股” |author=郑植文 |work=21世纪经济报道 |date=2025-03-19 |accessdate=2025-05-14 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321084625/https://www.21jingji.com/article/20250319/herald/023869be32dca67fb93189ef2050f060.html |archivedate=2025-03-21 |url-status=live}} The company's executives also disclosed at the meeting that in addition to poor management, starting from the second quarter of 2024, the bank withdrew loans from the company's account for two consecutive quarters, resulting in the company's failure to successfully go public and the rupture of the capital chain, which directly caused the operating crisis at the end of the year.{{Cite news |url=https://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2025-03-26/doc-ineqxccy6519438.shtml |title=旗下公司账户资金不足500元 超20亿元债转股能否“救活”哪吒汽车？ |author=杨让晨 |work=中国经营报 |date=2025-03-26 |via=新浪财经 |accessdate=2025-05-14 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514055737/https://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2025-03-26/doc-ineqxccy6519438.shtml |archivedate=2025-05-14 |url-status=live}}

On May 7, industrial robot company Efort announced that Hozon New Energy and its subsidiaries agreed to pay approximately RMB 49 million in arrears in batches, which was interpreted by the outside world as a partial solution to Neta Auto's funding problems;{{Cite news |url=https://www.21jingji.com/article/20250508/herald/5f0b7c8d4d4e86d0520a6a648e490f8c.html |title=哪吒汽车有钱了？将向供应商偿还4900万元货款，债权方们有救了吗？ |author=尹华禄 |work=21世纪经济报道 |date=2025-05-08 |accessdate=2025-05-14 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508151852/https://www.21jingji.com/article/20250508/herald/5f0b7c8d4d4e86d0520a6a648e490f8c.html |archivedate=2025-05-08 |url-status=live}} However, a few days later, Hozon New Energy was filed for bankruptcy review by an advertising company.{{Cite news |url=https://www.jiemian.com/article/12773712.html |title=哪吒汽车被一家广告公司申请破产审查 |author=陈小同 |work=界面新闻 |date=2025-05-14 |accessdate=2025-05-14 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514053926/https://www.jiemian.com/article/12773712.html |archivedate=2025-05-14 |url-status=live}}

• Automobile manufacturers and brands of China
• List of automobile manufacturers of China

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.hozonauto.com/ Official website (Mainland China)]
• [https://neta.hk/ Official website (Hong Kong, China)]
• [https://netaauto.co/ Official website (Global)]
• [https://netaauto.com.br/ Official website (Brazil)]
• [http://neta.co.th/ Official website (Thailand)]
• [http://neta.my/ Official website (Malaysia)）]
• [http://neta.co.id/ Official website (Indonesia)]

{{Automotive industry in China}}

{{Electric vehicles}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hozon Auto}}

Category:Car manufacturers of China

Category:Electric vehicle manufacturers of China

Category:Car brands

Category:Chinese brands

Category:Luxury motor vehicle manufacturers

Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2014

Category:Chinese companies established in 2014

Category:Companies based in Zhejiang