UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of October 2023
Commission file number: 001-41679
U Power Limited
2F, Zuoan 88 A, Lujiazui,
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
Explanatory Note
On October 10, 2023, U Power Limited (the “Company”) reported its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The Company hereby furnishes the following documents as exhibits to this report: “Unaudited Financial Results and Statements of U Power Limited for the Six (6) Months Ended June 30, 2023”; and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number | Description of Exhibit | |
99.1 | Unaudited Financial Results and Statements of U Power Limited for the Six (6) Months Ended June 30, 2023 | |
99.2 | Operating and Financial Review and Prospects | |
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document | |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
U Power Limited | ||
Date: October 10, 2023 | By: | /s/ Jia Li |
Jia Li | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
3
Exhibit 99.1
U POWER LIMITED
INDEX TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-
U POWER LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands of RMB and US$, except for number of shares)
As of | ||||||||||||||
December 31, | June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||
Notes | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 4,881 | 107,830 | 14,870 | |||||||||||
Restricted cash | 1,027 | 1,027 | 142 | |||||||||||
Accounts receivable | 5 | 1,617 | 655 | 90 | ||||||||||
Inventories | 6 | 5,457 | 6,605 | 911 | ||||||||||
Advance to suppliers | 7 | 6,993 | 17,413 | 2,401 | ||||||||||
Other current assets | 8 | 33,917 | 37,744 | 5,205 | ||||||||||
Amount due from related parties | 17 | 120 | 175 | 24 | ||||||||||
Total current assets | 54,012 | 171,449 | 23,643 | |||||||||||
Non-current assets: | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 9 | 16,282 | 14,046 | 1,937 | ||||||||||
Intangible assets, net | 10 | 286 | 236 | 33 | ||||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 15 | 19,250 | 16,819 | 2,319 | ||||||||||
Long-term investments | 11 | 111,811 | 111,791 | 15,417 | ||||||||||
Refundable deposit for investment | 12 | 80,183 | 74,877 | 10,326 | ||||||||||
Other non-current assets | 30 | 24 | 3 | |||||||||||
Total non-current assets | 227,842 | 217,793 | 30,035 | |||||||||||
Total assets | 281,854 | 389,242 | 53,678 | |||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | ||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
Current portion of loan payables | 16 | 6,500 | 6,500 | 896 | ||||||||||
Accounts payable | 11,130 | 13,182 | 1,818 | |||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 14 | 33,735 | 30,430 | 4,196 | ||||||||||
Income tax payables | 19 | 2,580 | 3,932 | 542 | ||||||||||
Advances from customers | 3,258 | 4,913 | 678 | |||||||||||
Operating lease liabilities – current | 15 | 1,696 | 1,271 | 175 | ||||||||||
Amount due to related parties | 17 | 251 | 11,263 | 1,553 | ||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 59,150 | 71,491 | 9,858 | |||||||||||
Non-current liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
Operating lease liabilities – non-current | 15 | 4,789 | 4,361 | 601 | ||||||||||
Non-current portion of long-term borrowing | 13 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 1,379 | ||||||||||
Non-current portion of loan payables | 16 | |||||||||||||
Total non-current liabilities | 14,789 | 14,361 | 1,980 | |||||||||||
Total liabilities | 73,939 | 85,852 | 11,838 | |||||||||||
Commitments and contingencies | 22 | 2,900 | 2,900 | 400 | ||||||||||
Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 319,775 | 417,428 | 57,566 | |||||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (153,838 | ) | (157,305 | ) | (21,693 | ) | ||||||||
Total U POWER LIMITED’s shareholders’ equity | 165,937 | 260,123 | 35,873 | |||||||||||
Non-controlling interests | 39,078 | 40,367 | 5,567 | |||||||||||
Total equity | 205,015 | 300,490 | 41,440 | |||||||||||
Total liabilities and equity | 281,854 | 389,242 | 53,678 |
* | The shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the reorganization (Note 1). |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-
U POWER LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Amounts in thousands of RMB and US$, except for number of shares and per share data)
For the six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
Notes | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||||
Net revenues | ||||||||||||||
Product sales | 2,634 | |||||||||||||
Sourcing services | 1,300 | 1,435 | 198 | |||||||||||
Battery-swapping services | 343 | 461 | 64 | |||||||||||
Total net revenues | 4,277 | 1,896 | 262 | |||||||||||
Cost of revenues | (2,748 | ) | (597 | ) | (82 | ) | ||||||||
Gross profit | 1,529 | 1,299 | 180 | |||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing expenses | (866 | ) | (1,012 | ) | (140 | ) | ||||||||
General and administrative expenses | (11,525 | ) | (16,792 | ) | (2,316 | ) | ||||||||
Research and development expenses | (2,810 | ) | (1,941 | ) | (268 | ) | ||||||||
Expected credit losses | - | (2,086 | ) | (288 | ) | |||||||||
Total operating expenses | (15,201 | ) | (21,831 | ) | (3,012 | ) | ||||||||
Operating loss | (13,672 | ) | (20,532 | ) | (2,832 | ) | ||||||||
Interest income | 1,196 | 31 | 4 | |||||||||||
Interest expenses | (239 | ) | (497 | ) | (69 | ) | ||||||||
Other income | 10 | 16,145 | 2,226 | |||||||||||
Other expenses | (276 | ) | (981 | ) | (135 | ) | ||||||||
Loss before income taxes | (12,981 | ) | (5,834 | ) | (806 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax expenses | 19 | (5 | ) | (1,344 | ) | (185 | ) | |||||||
Net loss | (12,986 | ) | (7,178 | ) | (991 | ) | ||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests | (2,029 | ) | (3,711 | ) | (512 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss attributable to the Company’s shareholders and total comprehensive loss | (10,957 | ) | (3,467 | ) | (479 | ) | ||||||||
Loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company’s shareholders * | ||||||||||||||
21 | (0.22 | ) | (0.07 | ) | (0.01 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average shares used in calculating basic and diluted loss per share * | ||||||||||||||
50,000,000 | 50,416,667 | 50,416,667 |
* | The shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the reorganization (Note 1). |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-
U POWER LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands of RMB and US$, except for number of shares)
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional | U POWER LIMITED |
Non- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ordinary shares | paid-in | Accumulated | shareholders’ | controlling | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
shares* | Amount | capital | deficit | equity | interests | equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2022 | 50,000,000 | 319,775 | (107,917 | ) | 211,858 | 45,824 | 257,682 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated net loss | - | (10,957 | ) | (10,957 | ) | (2,029 | ) | (12,986 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Capital contribution from issurance of ordinary shares | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital contribution from non-controlling shareholders | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2022 | 50,000,000 | 319,775 | (118,874 | ) | 200,901 | 43,795 | 244,696 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2023 | 50,000,000 | 319,775 | (153,838 | ) | 165,937 | 39,078 | 205,015 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated net loss | - | (3,467 | ) | (3,467 | ) | (3,711 | ) | (7,178 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Capital contribution from issurance of ordinary shares | 2,500,000 | 97,653 | 97,653 | 97,653 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital contribution from non-controlling shareholders | - | - | - | - | - | 5,000 | 5,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2023 in RMB | 52,500,000 | 417,428 | (157,305 | ) | 260,123 | 40,367 | 300,490 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2023 in US$ | - | 57,566 | (21,693 | ) | 35,873 | 5,567 | 41,440 |
* | The shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the reorganization (Note 1). |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-
U POWER LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands of RMB and US$, except for number of shares)
For the six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2023 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||
Net loss | (12,986 | ) | (7,178 | ) | (991 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 850 | 1,320 | 182 | |||||||||
Amortization of right-of-use assets | 6,521 | 2,762 | 381 | |||||||||
Loss on termination of right-of-use assets | ||||||||||||
Expected credit losses | 2086 | 288 | ||||||||||
Impairment of inventory | ||||||||||||
Share of loss in equity method investee | ||||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Accounts receivables | (2,913 | ) | 933 | 129 | ||||||||
Inventories | (1,513 | ) | (1,149 | ) | (158 | ) | ||||||
Advance to suppliers | 36,101 | (10,853 | ) | (1,497 | ) | |||||||
Other current assets | (3,392 | ) | (5,452 | ) | (752 | ) | ||||||
Amount due from related parties | 139 | (55 | ) | (8 | ) | |||||||
Other non-current assets | 45 | |||||||||||
Accounts payables | 2,220 | 2,053 | 283 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses and other payables | 2,104 | (3,304 | ) | (456 | ) | |||||||
Income tax payables | 1,351 | 186 | ||||||||||
Advance from customers | (34,291 | ) | 1,655 | 228 | ||||||||
Amount due to related parties | 1,021 | 11,012 | 1,519 | |||||||||
Operating lease liabilities | (6,049 | ) | (1,184 | ) | (163 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (12,143 | ) | (6,003 | ) | (829 | ) | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (862 | ) | 972 | 134 | ||||||||
Purchases of intangible assets | (12 | ) | ||||||||||
Loans provided to third parties | (914 | ) | ||||||||||
Loans repayments from third parties | 1,653 | 5,307 | 732 | |||||||||
Loans provided to related parties | (1 | ) | ||||||||||
Loans repayments from related parties | ||||||||||||
(Payment for) Return of long-term investments | (1,750 | ) | 20 | 3 | ||||||||
Net cash used in (provided by) investing activities | (1,886 | ) | 6,299 | 869 | ||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||
Capital contribution by non-controlling shareholders | 1 | 5,000 | 690 | |||||||||
Loans received from a third party | 1,101 | |||||||||||
Loans received from long-term bank borrowing | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of loan payable | ||||||||||||
Capital contribution from issurance of ordinary shares | 97,653 | 13,467 | ||||||||||
Repayments of long-term bank borrowing | ||||||||||||
Repayments of loan payable | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 1,102 | 102,653 | 14,157 | |||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | (12,927 | ) | 102,949 | 14,197 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year | 25,687 | 5,908 | 815 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | 12,760 | 108,857 | 15,012 | |||||||||
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities: | ||||||||||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | 331 | 46 | ||||||||||
Derecognition of right-of use-assets | ||||||||||||
Derecognition of lease liabilities |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-
1. ORGANIZATION
(a) Nature of operations
U POWER LIMITED (the “Company”) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on June 17, 2021, under the Cayman Islands Companies Law as an exempted company with limited liability. Anhui Yousheng New Energy Technology Group Co., Ltd. (“AHYS”, formerly known as “Shanghai Yousheng New Energy Technology Group Co. Ltd.”) was incorporated in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”) on May 16, 2013. AHYS, together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Operating Entities”) are principally engaged in the provision of: 1) new energy vehicles development and sales; 2) battery swapping stations manufacturing and sales; 3) battery swapping services; and 4) sourcing services (collectively, “Principal Business”).
(b) Reorganization
In preparation of its initial public offering (“IPO”) in the United States, the following transactions were undertaken to reorganize the legal structure of the Operating Entities. The Company was incorporated in connection with a group reorganization (the “Reorganization”) of the Operating Entities. On June 30, 2021, and January 5, 2022, the Company incorporated two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Youcang Limited (“Youcang”) and U Robur Limited (“U Robur BVI”) in British Virgin Islands, respectively. On July 19, 2021, Youcang incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Energy U Limited (“Energy U”) in Hong Kong. On January 24, 2022, U Robur BVI incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, U Robur Limited (“U Robur HK”). On January 27, 2021, Energy U incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Shandong Yousheng New Energy Technology Development Co, Ltd. (“WFOE”) in the PRC.
On July 8, 2022, the Company, through WFOE, entered into an equity purchase agreement with AHYS and its then shareholders, through which the Company has become the ultimate primary beneficiary of AHYS. As all the entities involved in the process of the Reorganization are under common ownership of AHYS’s shareholders before and after the Reorganization, the Reorganization is accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling of interests with the assets and liabilities of the parties to the Reorganization carried over at their historical amounts. Therefore, the accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared as if the corporate structure of the Company had been in existence since the beginning of the periods presented. The Company and its subsidiaries hereinafter are collectively referred to as the “Group”.
F-
As of the date of this report, the details of the Company’s principal subsidiaries are as follows:
Entity | Date
of incorporation/ acquisition |
Place
of incorporation |
Percentage of direct or indirect ownership by the Company |
Principal activities | ||||
Subsidiaries: | ||||||||
Youcang Limited (“Youcang”) | June 30, 2021 | British Virgin Islands | 100% | Investment holding | ||||
Energy U Limited (“Energy U”) | July 19, 2021 | Hong Kong | 100% | Investment holding | ||||
Shandong Yousheng New Energy Technology Development Co, Ltd. (“WFOE”)(1) | January 27, 2022 | PRC | 100% | Provision of technical and consultation services | ||||
Anhui Yousheng New Energy Co., Ltd (“AHYS”)(1) | May 16, 2013 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Youpin Automobile Service Group Co. Ltd. (“Youpin”)(1) | July 18, 2013 | PRC | 53.1072% | Provision of new energy vehicles sales, battery swapping stations sales, battery swapping services and sourcing services | ||||
Shanghai Youqiao International Trade Co., Ltd. (“SH Youqiao”)(1) | May 29, 2014 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Shanghai Youchuangneng Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“SY Digital Tech) (1) | November 13, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Provision of new energy vehicles sales, battery swapping stations sales, battery swapping services and sourcing services | ||||
Youguan Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Youguan Financial Leasing”)(1) | February 27, 2017 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Chengdu Youyipin Trading Co., Ltd. (“CD Youyipin”)(1) | June 21, 2019 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Zhejiang Youguan Automobile Service Co., Ltd. (“ZJ Youguan”)(1) | May 21, 2020 | PRC | 80% | Provision of sourcing services | ||||
Youpin Automobile Service (Shandong) Co., Ltd. (“Youpin SD”)(1) | June 30, 2020 | PRC | 86.96% | Provision of new energy vehicles sales and sourcing services | ||||
Chengdu Youyineng Automobile Service Co., Ltd. (“CD Youyineng”)(1) | October 29, 2020 | PRC | 100% | Provision of battery swapping stations manufacturing | ||||
Shanghai Youteng Automobile Service Co., Ltd. (“SH Youteng”)(1) | November 3, 2020 | PRC | 70% | Dormant Company | ||||
Liaoning Youguan New Energy Technology Co. Ltd. (“LY New Energy”)(1) | November 8, 2019 | PRC | 100% | Provision of new energy vehicles sales and sourcing services | ||||
Zibo Youyipin Trading Co. Ltd. (“Zibo Youyipin”)(1) | March 18, 2021 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Shanghai Youxu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“SH Youxu”)(1) | March 22, 2021 | PRC | 100% | Provision of battery swapping stations sales and battery swapping services | ||||
Dalian Youshengchi Automobile Trading Service Co., Ltd. (“DL Youshengchi”)(1) | March 23, 2021 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Quanzhou Youyi Power Exchange Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“QZ Youyi”)(1) | June 29, 2021 | PRC | 100% | Provision of battery swapping services | ||||
Youxu New Energy Technology (Zibo) Co., Ltd. (“Youxu Zibo”)(1) | July 29, 2021 | PRC | 100% | Provision of batter swapping stations manufacturing | ||||
Youxu (Xiamen) Power Exchange Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Youxu XM”)(1) | August 10, 2021 | PRC | 100% | Provision of battery swapping services | ||||
Xinjiang Youxu Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. (“XJ Youxu”)(1) | October 12, 2021 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Wuhu Youxu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“WH Youxu”) (1) | November 12, 2021 | PRC | 100% | Provision of batter swapping stations manufacturing | ||||
Beijing Youxu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“BJ Youxu”)(1) | December 21, 2021 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Henan Youxu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“HN Youxu”) (1) | December 1, 2022 | PRC | 80% | Dormant Company | ||||
Youxu New Energy (Dalian) Co., Ltd. (“DL Youxu”)(1) | June 8, 2022 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Tai’an Youxu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“TA Youxu”) (1) | August 22, 2022 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Shandong Youxu New Energy Co., Ltd. (“SD Youxu”) (1) | August 26, 2022 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Nanning Youguan Digital Technology Co., Ltd (“NN Youguan”) (1) | July 12, 2022 | PRC | 100% | Dormant Company | ||||
Youxu New Energy Technology (Nanyang) Co., Ltd. (“NY Youxu”) (1) | March 14, 2023 | PRC | 70% | Provision of batter swapping stations manufacturing | ||||
Liaoning Youxu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“LN Youxu”) (1) | March 9, 2023 | PRC | 51% | Provision of batter swapping stations manufacturing |
(1) | Collectively, the “PRC subsidiaries”. |
F-
(c) Initial Public Offering
In April 2023, the Company, in connection with its IPO in the United States, issued 2,416,667 ordinary shares with net proceeds from the IPO of approximately US$13,002.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Basis of presentation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
(b) Principles of consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Group include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for which the Company is the ultimate primary beneficiary.
A subsidiary is an entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly, controls more than one half of the voting power; has the power to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of directors (the “Board”); and to cast majority of votes at the meeting of the Board or to govern the financial and operating policies of the investee under a statute or agreement among the shareholders or equity holders.
All significant transactions and balances between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. The non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries are shown separately in the consolidated financial statements.
(c) Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Group’s consolidated financial statements mainly include the incremental borrowing rate used in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, inventory write-down, expected credit losses, the useful lives of property and equipment and intangible assets, contingent liabilities, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and the estimated performance obligations completion progress towards certain services revenue. The Group bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Any future changes to these estimates and assumptions could cause a material change to the Group’s reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
F-
(d) Functional currency and foreign currency translation
The Group uses Renminbi (“RMB”) as its reporting currency. The functional currency of the Company and its overseas subsidiaries which incorporated in the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands is US Dollar (“US$”). The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries which incorporated in Hong Kong is Hong Kong Dollar (“HK$”). The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries which incorporated in PRC is RMB.
In the consolidated financial statements, the financial information of the Company and other entities located outside of PRC has been translated into RMB. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates on the balance sheet date, equity amounts are translated at historical exchange rates, and revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using the average rate for the periods. Translation adjustments are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments and are shown as a component of other comprehensive loss in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). There is nil foreign currency translation gain or loss recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023.
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are re-measured into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Financial assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are re-measured into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date.
(e) Convenience translation
The Group’s business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in RMB. However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into US dollars using the exchange rate as of balance sheet date, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, change in equity and related consolidated statements of cash flows from RMB into US$ as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2023 are solely for the convenience of the reader and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00 to RMB7.2513, representing the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on June 30, 2023. No representation is made that the RMB amounts represent or could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on June 30, 2023 or at any other rate.
(f) Non-controlling interest
For certain subsidiaries, a non-controlling interest is recognized to reflect the portion of their equity which is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Group. Consolidated net loss or income on the consolidated statements of operations includes the net loss or income attributable to non-controlling interests. Non-controlling interests are classified as a separate line item in the equity section of the Group’s consolidated balance sheets and have been separately disclosed in the Group’s consolidated statements of operations to distinguish the interests from that of the Company.
(g) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents represent cash on hand, time deposits and highly-liquid investments placed with banks or other financial institutions, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use, and which have original maturities of three months or less.
(h) Restricted cash
Restricted cash represents the cash that is not freely available to be spent nor re-invested to sustain future growth, which is legally or contractually restricted, or only to be used for a specified purpose. The restrictions can be permanent or temporary. Failure to use the asset according to agreed limitations will generate contractual or legal consequences.
(i) Expected credit losses
Accounts receivable, advance to suppliers and other current assets are recognized at original invoiced amount. The Group measures all expected credit losses at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Group reviews the accounts receivable, advance to suppliers and other current assets, and recognizes the expected credit losses based on many factors, including the customer’s payment history, its current credit-worthiness and current economic trends.
F-
Based on the result of the Group’s estimation of collectability, the Group recognized RMB9,801 and RMB2,087 (US$288) of expected credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2022, and for the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
(j) Inventories
Inventories, consisting of raw materials and products available for sale, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost of inventory are determined using the first-in-first-out method. The Group records inventory reserves for obsolete and slow-moving inventory. Inventory reserves are based on inventory obsolescence trends, historical experience and application of the specific identification method. The Group recognized RMB180 and nil of inventory impairment for the year ended December 31, 2022, and for the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
(k) Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment loss, if any. Property and equipment are depreciated at rates sufficient to write off their costs less impairment and residual value, if any, over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Within the property, plant and equipment, the value for construction in process is included within the manufacturing equipment.
Category | Estimated useful life | |
Leasehold improvements | 1-3 years | |
Manufacturing equipment | 3 – 10 years | |
Computer and electronic equipment | 3 – 5 years | |
Office equipment | 2 – 4 years | |
Motor vehicles | 3 – 4 years |
(l) Intangible assets, net
Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment, if any. Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives from 3 to 5 years. The estimated useful lives of amortized intangible assets are reassessed if circumstances occur that indicate the original estimated useful lives have changed.
(m) Impairment of long-lived assets
The Group evaluates its long-lived assets, including property, equipment and software and right-of-use assets with finite lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as a significant adverse change to market conditions that will impact the future use of the assets, indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. When these events occur, the Group evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets by comparing the carrying amounts of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amounts of the assets, the Group recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amounts of the assets over their fair value. Fair value is generally determined by discounting the cash flows expected to be generated by the assets, when the market prices are not readily available. There was no impairment of long-lived assets recognized for the year ended December 31, 2022, and for the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
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(n) Long-term investments
The Group’s long-term investments mainly include equity investments in entities. Investments in entities in which the Group can exercise significant influence and holds an investment in voting common stock or in-substance common stock (or both) of the investee but does not own a majority equity interest or control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC topic 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (“ASC 323”). Under the equity method, the Group initially records its investments at fair value. The Group subsequently adjusts the carrying amount of the investments to recognize the Group’s proportionate share of each equity investee’s net income or loss into earnings after the date of investment. The Group evaluates the equity method investments for impairment under ASC 323. An impairment loss on the equity method investments is recognized in earnings when the decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary.
(o) Fair value of financial instruments
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be either recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact, and it also considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Accounting guidance establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 - Other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.
Financial assets and liabilities of the Group primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, amounts due from related parties, deposits and other receivables, accounts payable, amounts due to related parties, other payables, short-term bank and other borrowings and loan payables. As of June 30, 2023, the carrying values of these financial instruments are approximated to their fair values.
(p) Revenue recognition
Under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, the Group recognizes revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and recognizes in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.
The Group recognized revenue according to the following five-step revenue recognition criteria based on ASC 606: (1) identify the contract with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price; and (5) recognize revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
The Group recognized revenue when or as the control of the goods or services is transferred to a customer. Depending on the terms of the contract and the laws that apply to the contract, control of the goods and services may be transferred over time or at a point in time. Control of the goods and services is transferred over time if the Group’s performance:
(i) | provides all of the benefits received and consumed simultaneously by the customer; |
(ii) | creates and enhances an asset that the customer controls as the Group performs; or |
(iii) | does not create an asset with an alternative use to the Group and the Group has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. If control of the goods and services transfers over time, revenue is recognized over the period of the contract by reference to the progress towards complete satisfaction of that performance obligation. Otherwise, revenue is recognized at a point in time when the customer obtains control of the goods and services. |
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If control of the goods and services transfers over time, revenue is recognized over the period of the contract by reference to the progress towards complete satisfaction of that performance obligation. Otherwise, revenue is recognized at a point in time when the customer obtains control of the goods and services.
Contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, the Group allocates revenue to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Group generally determines standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers. If the standalone selling price is not directly observable, it is estimated using expected cost plus a margin or adjusted market assessment approach, depending on the availability of observable information. Assumptions and estimations have been made in estimating the relative selling price of each distinct performance obligation, and changes in judgments on these assumptions and estimates may impact the revenue recognition.
When either party to a contract has performed, the Group presents the contract in the consolidated balance sheets as a contract asset or a contract liability, depending on the relationship between the entity’s performance and the customer’s payment.
A contract asset is the Group’s right to consideration in exchange for goods and services that the Group has transferred to a customer. A receivable is recorded when the Group has an unconditional right to consideration. A right to consideration is unconditional if only the passage of time is required before payment of that consideration is due.
If a customer pays consideration or the Group has a right to an amount of consideration that is unconditional, before the Group transfers a good or service to the customer, the Group presents the contract liability when the payment is made, or a receivable is recorded (whichever is earlier). A contract liability is the Group’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the Group has received consideration (or an amount of consideration is due) from the customer.
The following table sets forth a breakdown of our revenues, in absolute amounts and percentages of total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023,
For the Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sourcing services | 1,300 | 30.4 | 1,435 | 198 | 75.7 | |||||||||||||||
Product sales | 2,634 | 61.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Battery-swapping services | 343 | 8.0 | 461 | 64 | 24.3 | |||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 4,277 | 100.0 | 1,896 | 262 | 100.0 |
Sourcing services
The Group generates revenue from the vehicle sourcing business, where the Group is generally acting as an agent and its performance obligation is to purchase the specified vehicles for its customers. The Group charges customers a commission that is calculated based on the purchase price of each purchase order. Vehicle sourcing service revenues are recognized on a net basis at the point in time when the service of purchase of the specified vehicles for the Group’s customers is completed, i.e., the specified vehicle for the Group’s customers is delivered. Payments are typically received in advance and are accounted for as contract liabilities until delivery, at which point the receipt in advance from customers is offset with the prepayment to the supplier and the difference representing the commission is recognized as revenue.
Product sales
The Group generates revenues from sales of battery swapping stations. The Group identifies those who purchase battery swapping stations as its customers. The revenue for battery swapping station sales is recognized at a point in time when the control of the product is transferred to the customer.
Battery swapping services
The Group also generates revenues from providing battery swapping services to vehicle drivers and the station control system upgrading services to battery-swapping station owners. The Group identifies the vehicle drivers who need the services of battery swapping and the owners of battery swapping stations who require station control system upgrading services as its customers.
F-
The Group charges the battery swapping service fees from its customers based on vehicle miles traveled. However, as usually, the swapped battery will be immediately used after the payment by customers for driving and the power consumption of vehicles will be fast, the Group ignores the time interval between the timing of payment in advance by customers and the usage life of the swapped battery. The revenue generated from battery swapping services to vehicle drivers is recognized at a point in time when the Group received the payment from vehicle drivers.
The revenue generated from the station control system upgrading service is recognized over time based on a straight-line method.
(q) Cost of revenues
Cost of sales of battery-swapping stations primarily includes semi-finished goods purchased from suppliers, labor costs and manufacturing including depreciation of assets associated with production. Costs of battery-swapping services mainly include the electric charge costs and the rental costs of batteries for battery swapping services.
(r) Sales and marketing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of (i) compensation to selling personnel, including the salaries, performance-based bonus, and other benefits; (ii) travel cost related to the sales and marketing function; and (iii) bid, advertising, marketing, and brand promotion expenses.
(s) Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel-related costs directly associated with research and development organization. The Group’s research and development expenses are related to enhancing and developing UOTTA technology for its existing products and new product development. The Group expenses research and development costs as incurred.
(t) General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, bonuses and benefits for employees involved in general corporate functions, and those not specifically dedicated to research and development activities, such as depreciation and amortization of fixed assets which are not used in research and development activities, legal and other professional services fees, rental and other general corporate related expenses.
(u) Employee benefits
Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to the employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the PRC subsidiaries of the Group make contributions to the government for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made.
(v) Government grants
The Group’s PRC-based subsidiaries received government subsidies from certain local governments. The Group’s government subsidies consisted of specific subsidies and other subsidies. Specific subsidies are subsidies that the local government has provided for a specific purpose, such as product development and renewal of production facilities. Other subsidies are the subsidies that the local government has not specified its purpose for and are not tied to future trends or performance of the Group. Receipt of such subsidy income is not contingent upon any further actions or performance of the Group and the amounts do not have to be refunded under any circumstances. The Group recorded specific purpose subsidies as advances payable when received. For specific subsidies, upon government acceptance of the related project development or asset acquisition, the specific purpose subsidies are recognized to reduce related R&D expenses or the cost of asset acquisition. Other subsidies are recognized as other operating income upon receipt as further performance by the Group is not required.
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(w) Taxation
Income Taxes
Current income taxes are provided on the basis of income/(loss) for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expense items which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions. Deferred income taxes are provided using the assets and liabilities method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. The tax base of an asset or liability is the amount attributed to that asset or liability for tax purposes. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income in the period of change. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the amount of deferred tax assets if it is considered more-likely-than-not that some portion of, or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Group considers positive and negative evidence when determining whether a portion or all of its deferred tax assets will more likely than not be realized. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carry-forward periods, its experience with tax attributes expiring unused, and its tax planning strategies. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient future taxable income within the carry-forward periods provided for in the tax law and during the periods in which the temporary differences become deductible. When assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, the Group considers possible sources of taxable income including (i) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, (ii) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry-forwards, (iii) future taxable income arising from implementing tax planning strategies, and (iv) specific known trend of profits expected to be reflected within the industry.
Value added tax
Revenue represents the invoiced value of goods and services, net of value added tax (“VAT”). The VAT is based on gross sales price with VAT rates of 6% and 13%, depending on the type of products sold or service provided. Entities that are VAT general taxpayers are allowed to offset qualified input VAT paid to suppliers against their output VAT liabilities. Net VAT balance between input VAT and output VAT is recorded in taxes payable. All of the VAT returns filed by the Company’s subsidiaries in PRC remain subject to examination by the tax authorities for five years from the date of filing.
Uncertain tax positions
The Group applies the provisions of ASC topic 740 (“ASC 740”), Accounting for Income Taxes, to account for uncertainty in income taxes. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. The benefit of a tax position is recognized if a tax return position or future tax position is “more likely than not” to be sustained under examination based solely on the technical merits of the position. Tax positions that meet the “more likely than not” recognition threshold is measured, using a cumulative probability approach, at the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The estimated liability for unrecognized tax benefits is periodically assessed for adequacy and may be affected by changing interpretations of laws, rulings by tax authorities, changes and or developments with respect to tax audits, and the expiration of the statute of limitations. Additionally, in future periods, changes in facts and circumstances, and new information may require the Group to adjust the recognition and measurement of estimates with regards to changes in individual tax position. Changes in recognition and measurement of estimates are recognized in the period in which the change occurs.
The Group’s operating subsidiaries in PRC are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities. According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or the withholding agent. The statute of limitations is extended to five years under special circumstances, where the underpayment of taxes is more than RMB100 (US$15). In the case of transfer pricing issues, the statute of limitation is ten years. There is no statute of limitation in the case of tax evasion. Penalties and interests incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the period incurred.
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(x) Comprehensive loss
The Group has adopted FASB Accounting Standard Codification Topic 220 (“ASC 220”) “Comprehensive income”, which establishes standards for reporting and the presentation of comprehensive income (loss), its components and accumulated balances.
There was no other comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2022, and for the six months ended 2023, respectively.
(y) Leases
The Group accounts for lease under ASC Topic 842, Leases. The Group determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. Right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at lease commencement date based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease terms. The Group considers only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of lease commencement.
At the commencement date, the lease liability is recognized at the present value of the lease payments not yet paid, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate for the same term as the underlying lease. The right-of-use asset is recognized initially at cost, which primarily comprises the initial amount of the lease liability, plus any initial direct costs incurred. All right-of-use assets are reviewed for impairment annually. There was no impairment for right-of-use lease assets as of the year ended December 31, 2022 and the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
Operating lease assets are included within “right-of-use assets - operating lease”, and the corresponding operating lease liabilities are included within “operating lease liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, respectively.
(z) Commitments and contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Group is subject to contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of its business, which cover a wide range of matters. Liabilities for contingencies are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated.
If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a loss is incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability is accrued in the consolidated financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potential loss contingency is not probable, but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss, if determinable and material, would be disclosed.
The Group recognized RMB2,900 and nil of commitments and contingencies for the year ended December 31, 2022 and for the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
(aa) Segment reporting
ASC 280, Segment Reporting, (“ASC 280”), establishes standards for companies to report in their financial statement information about operating segments, products, services, geographic areas, and major customers.
Based on the criteria established by ASC 280, the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) has been identified as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who reviews consolidated results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Company. As a whole and hence, the Company has only one reportable segment. The Company does not distinguish between markets or segments for the purpose of internal reporting. As the Company’s long-lived assets are substantially located in the PRC, no geographical segments are presented.
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(ab) Recent accounting pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, excluding entities eligible to be smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC. For all other entities, ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Group is an emerging-growth company and has elected to adopt the new standard as of the effective date applicable to nonissues. The Group adopted ASU 2016-13 since January 1, 2023, and recognized RMB2,087 (US$288) of expected credit losses for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This update simplifies the accounting for income taxes as part of the FASB’s overall initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards. The amendments include removal of certain exceptions to the general principles of ASC 740, Income taxes, and simplification in several other areas such as accounting for a franchise tax (or similar tax) that is partially based on income. The update is effective in fiscal years beginning January 1, 2022, and early adoption is permitted. Certain amendments in this update should be applied retrospectively or modified retrospectively, all other amendments should be applied prospectively. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 since January 1, 2023, and does not expect the impact of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU 2020-06”), which focuses on amending the legacy guidance on convertible instruments and the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 simplifies an issuer’s accounting for convertible instruments by reducing the number of accounting models that require separate accounting for embedded conversion features. ASU 2020-06 also simplifies the settlement assessment that entities are required to perform to determine whether a contract qualifies for equity classification. Further, ASU 2020-06 enhances information transparency by making targeted improvements to the disclosures for convertible instruments and earnings-per-share (“EPS”) guidance, i.e., aligning the diluted EPS calculation for convertible instruments by requiring that an entity uses the if-converted method and that the effect of potential share settlement be included in the diluted EPS calculation when an instrument may be settled in cash or shares, adding information about events or conditions that occur during the reporting period that cause conversion contingencies to be met or conversion terms to be significantly changed. This update is effective for the Company’s fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and the following fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than the fiscal year beginning after January 1, 2022. Entities can elect to adopt the new guidance through either a modified retrospective method of transition or a fully retrospective method of transition. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06 beginning after December 15, 2021, and the following fiscal years, and does not expect any material impact on its financial statements.
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3. LIQUIDITY
For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Group reported a net loss of RMB7,178 (US$991), negative operating cash flows of RMB6,003 (US$829), net current assets of RMB97,058 (US$13,385), accumulated deficit of RMB157,305 (US$21,693), and the capital contribution from issurance of ordinary shares of RMB97,653 (US$13,467).
In assessing its liquidity, management monitors and analyzes the Group’s cash and cash equivalents, its ability to generate sufficient revenue sources and ability to obtain additional financial support in the future, and its operating and capital expenditure commitments.
The Group’s primary source of liquidity historically has been cash generated from its business operations, bank loans, equity contributions from its shareholders and borrowings, which have historically been sufficient to meet its working capital and capital expenditure requirements.
As of the year ended December 31, 2022 and the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Group’s cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were RMB5,908 (US$814.8) and RMB108,857 (US$15,012), respectively. The Group’s cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on hand and highly liquid investments placed with banks, which are unrestricted to withdrawal and use and which have original maturities of three months or less.
The Group believes that the substantial doubt of its ability to continue as going concern is alleviated based on proceeds received from its initial public offering. Meanwhile, the Group also believe its existing cash and cash equivalents, anticipated cash raised from financings, and anticipated cash flow from operations, together with the net proceeds from its initial public offering in April 2023, will be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash needs for the next 12 months from the date of this report. The exact amount of proceeds the Group used for its operations and expansion plans will depend on the amount of cash generated from its operations and any strategic decisions the Group may make that could alter its expansion plans and the amount of cash necessary to fund these plans.
The Group may, however, decide to enhance its liquidity position or increase its cash reserve for future investments through additional capital and finance funding. The Group may need additional cash resources in the future if it experiences changes in business conditions or other developments, or if the Group find and wish to pursue opportunities for investments, acquisitions, capital expenditures or similar actions. If the Group determine that its cash requirements exceed the amount of cash and cash equivalents it has on hand at the time, the Group may seek to issue equity or debt securities or obtain credit facilities. The issuance and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to its shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that would restrict its operations. The Group cannot assure that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to it, if at all.
4. CONCENTRATION OF RISKS
(a) Political, social and economic risks
The Group’s operations could be adversely affected by significant political, economic and social uncertainties in the PRC. Although the PRC government has been pursuing economic reform policies for more than 20 years, no assurance can be given that the PRC government will continue to pursue such policies or that such policies may not be significantly altered, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption or unforeseen circumstances affecting the PRC political, economic and social conditions. There is also no guarantee that the PRC government’s pursuit of economic reforms will be consistent or effective.
(b) Interest rate risk
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on its interest-bearing assets and liabilities. As part of its asset and liability risk management, the Group reviews and takes appropriate steps to manage its interest rate exposure on its interest-bearing assets and liabilities. The Group has not been exposed to material risks due to changes in market interest rates, and has not used any derivative financial instruments to manage the interest risk exposure during the years presented.
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(c) Credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash. As of the year ended December 31, 2022 and the six months ended June 30, 2023, approximately were RMB5,908 and RMB108,857 (US$15,012) were deposited with financial institutions located in the PRC, respectively, where there is a RMB 500 deposit insurance limit for a legal entity’s aggregated balance at each bank. While the Group believes that these financial institutions are of high credit quality, it also continually monitors their credit worthiness.
The Group is also exposed to risk from its accounts receivable and other receivables. These assets are subjected to credit evaluations. An allowance has been made for estimated unrecoverable amounts which have been determined by reference to past default experience and the current economic environment.
(d) Currency convertibility risk
Substantially the Group’s operating activities are settled in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. All foreign exchange transactions take place either through the People’s Bank of China or other banks authorized to buy and sell foreign currencies at the exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China. Approval of foreign currency payments by the People’s Bank of China or other regulatory institutions requires submitting a payment application form together with supporting documents.
5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable and the expected credit losses consisted of the following:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable | 1,617 | 684 | 94 | |||||||||
Less: expected credit losses | (29 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||||||
1,617 | 655 | 90 |
As of the year ended December 31, 2022 and the six months ended June 30, 2023, all accounts receivable were due from third-party customers. There were nil and RMB29 (US$4) of expected credit losses recognized for the year ended December 31, 2022, and for the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
6. INVENTORY
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Raw materials | 1,793 | 1,782 | 246 | |||||||||
Low value consumables | 41 | 52 | 8 | |||||||||
Finished goods | 3,803 | 4,951 | 682 | |||||||||
Less: inventory impairment | (180 | ) | (180 | ) | (25 | ) | ||||||
5,457 | 6,605 | 911 |
The Group recognized RMB180 and nil of impairment of inventory for the year ended December 31, 2022, and for the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
7. ADVANCE TO SUPPLIERS
Advance to suppliers consisted of the following:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Advance to suppliers | 15,359 | 26,212 | 3,614 | |||||||||
Less: expected credit losses | (8,366 | ) | (8,799 | ) | (1,213 | ) | ||||||
6,993 | 17,413 | 2,401 |
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As of the year ended December 31, 2022, the balance of advance to suppliers mainly represented the prepayments in relation to the development and purchase of battery swapping stations as well as developing UOTTA-powered EVs. As of the six months ended June 30, 2023, the balance of advance to suppliers mainly represented the prepayments in relation to the development of vehicle sourcing, general and administrative expenses, and purchase of battery swapping stations. An analysis of the expected credit losses was as follows:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Balance at beginning of the year | (8,366 | ) | (1,153 | ) | ||||||||
Additional allowance for credit losses charged to expense | (8,366 | ) | (433 | ) | (60 | ) | ||||||
Balance at the end of the year | (8,366 | ) | (8,799 | ) | (1,213 | ) |
8. OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Other current assets consisted of the following:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Tax recoverable | 7,976 | 9,837 | 1,356 | |||||||||
Loans to third parties | 24,581 | 28,860 | 3,980 | |||||||||
Deposits | 1,218 | 1,138 | 157 | |||||||||
Staff advances | 336 | 434 | 60 | |||||||||
Compensation receivable | 842 | 100 | 14 | |||||||||
Others | 399 | 435 | 60 | |||||||||
Less: expected credit losses | (1,435 | ) | (3,060 | ) | (422 | ) | ||||||
33,917 | 37,744 | 5,205 |
An analysis of the expected credit losses was as follows:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Balance at beginning of the year | (1,435 | ) | (198 | ) | ||||||||
Additional allowance for credit losses charged to expense | (1,435 | ) | (1,625 | ) | (224 | ) | ||||||
Balance at the end of the year | (1,435 | ) | (3,060 | ) | (422 | ) |
9. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Leasehold improvements | 754 | 754 | 104 | |||||||||
Computer and network equipment | 1,235 | 1,235 | 170 | |||||||||
Manufacturing equipment | 14,370 | 13,297 | 1,834 | |||||||||
Office equipment | 187 | 187 | 26 | |||||||||
Motor vehicles | 3,896 | 4,003 | 552 | |||||||||
20,442 | 19,476 | 2,686 | ||||||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | (4,160 | ) | (5,430 | ) | (749 | ) | ||||||
16,282 | 14,046 | 1,937 |
For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, the Group recorded depreciation expenses of RMB539 and RMB1,269 (US$175), respectively.
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10. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
The following table presents the Group’s intangible assets as of the respective balance sheet dates:
Purchased software |
Internal - use software |
Total | Total | |||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
Net balance as of December 31, 2022 | 286 | 286 | 39 | |||||||||||||
Additions | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense | (50 | ) | (50 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||||||||
Net balance as of June 30, 2023 | 236 | 236 | 33 |
The intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method, which is the Group’s best estimate of how these assets will be economically consumed over their respective estimated useful lives of one to ten years.
Amortization expenses for intangible assets were RMB312 and RMB50 (US$6) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. No impairment charge was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The annual estimated amortization expenses for the intangible assets for each of the next five years are as follows:
RMB | US$ | |||||||
2023 (July – December) | 35 | 5 | ||||||
2024 | 70 | 10 | ||||||
2025 | 70 | 10 | ||||||
2026 | 61 | 8 | ||||||
236 | 33 |
11. LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
The Group’s long-term investments consisted of the following:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Equity investments: | ||||||||||||
Zibo Hengxin Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (the “Fund”) (i) | 110,000 | 110,000 | 15,170 | |||||||||
Huzhou Zheyou New Energy Sales Co., Ltd. (“Huzhou Zheyou”) (ii) | 1,711 | 1,691 | 233 | |||||||||
Chengdu Zhibo Premium Technology Co., Ltd. (“Chengdu Zhibo”) (iii) | 100 | 100 | 14 | |||||||||
Impairment on equity investments without readily determinable fair value | ||||||||||||
111,811 | 111,791 | 15,417 |
(i) | In December 2020, the Group entered into a partnership agreement with Zibo Hengxin Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) and its participating shareholder, Guanmiao (Beijing) Investment Management Co., Ltd. (“Guanmiao”), whereby the Group agreed to purchased limited partnership interest in Zibo Hengxin Investment Fund Partnership (Limited Partnership) (the “Fund”) in the amount of RMB120,000, which entitles the Group an aggregate interest of approximately 99% in the Fund. In December 2021, the Fund decreased the total partnership capital to RMB111,200 and returned to the Group by RMB10,000 and the aggregate interest of the Group was subsequently diluted to 98.9%. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Group generated an investment income of RMB0.01 (US$0.0014) from the operating result of Zibo Hengxin. There was no unfunded commitment to the Fund as of June 30, 2023. |
The Fund’s investment strategy is primarily to invest in emerging companies of new energy automobile industry. The Fund is scheduled to be in existence until 2025, unless terminated sooner or extended in accordance with the amended and restated limited partnership agreement. |
(ii) | In April 2022, the Group entered into an agreement to invest in Huzhou Zheyou New Energy Sales Co., Ltd. (“Huzhou Zheyou”), and injected capital of RMB1,750 in June 2022. The Group held an equity interest of 35% as of June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Group generated an investment loss of RMB20 (US$3) from the operating result of Huzhou Zheyou. |
(iii) | The Group entered into an agreement to invest in Chengdu Zhibo Premium Technology Co., Ltd. (“Chengdu Zhibo”), and injected capital of RMB100 in November 2022. The Group held an equity interest of 40% and has significant influence on Chengdu Zhibo. There was no investment income or loss recognized, as a result, no income or loss was generated in Chengdu Zhibo for the year ended December 31, 2022 and for the six months ended June 30, 2023. |
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12. REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT FOR INVESTMENT
The balance represented loans to Shanghai Lingneng Electricity Selling Co., Ltd. (“SH Lingneng”) for its operations pursuant to loan agreements entered into in 2019, bearing an interest rate of 3% per annum. Subsequently in August 2022, the Company entered into a term sheet, the result of which would be the investment into SH Lingneng’s interest equity (“Transaction”). Final terms and arrangements of this potential Transaction would be determined on Share Purchase Agreement (“SPA”), Shareholders’ Agreement (“SHA”), Memorandum of Association (“MA”) and other documents associated with the Transaction. The Company may terminate the investment agreement and abandon the transactions contemplated thereby for any reason or for no reason in its sole and absolute discretion prior to December 31, 2023, with no further obligations on its part.
13. BANK BORROWINGS
Bank borrowings were as follows as of the respective balance sheet dates:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Long-term bank borrowing, current portion | ||||||||||||
Long-term bank borrowing, non-current portion | 10,000 | 10,000 | 1,379 | |||||||||
10,000 | 10,000 | 1,379 |
On December 13, 2021, Youxu Zibo entered into a three-year bank facility agreement with Bank of Qishang, a commercial bank in China, pursuant to which Youxu Zibo was entitled to borrow a loan of RMB10,000 with an annual interest rate of 6.87% for working capital needs. Youxu Zibo drew down the amount in full. A manufacturing facility of Youxu Zibo was pledged as collateral for this loan.
14. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of the following:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Payroll and welfare payables | 1,846 | 2,369 | 327 | |||||||||
Loan from a third party | 13,104 | 19,965 | 2,753 | |||||||||
Interest payables | 639 | 881 | 39 | |||||||||
Customer deposit | 301 | 282 | 121 | |||||||||
Payables for purchase of property and equipment | 964 | 1,051 | 145 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses | 10,928 | 3,170 | 437 | |||||||||
Deferred consideration in relation to investment | 5,300 | 2,300 | 317 | |||||||||
Others | 653 | 412 | 57 | |||||||||
33,735 | 30,430 | 4,196 |
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15. LEASES
The Company leases buildings, office facilities, land use rights and batteries in PRC. The Company does not have any finance lease for the year ended December 31, 2022, and for the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. Operating leases result in the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use the leased asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments. The operating lease expenses were charged to cost of sales, research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses.
A summary of supplemental information related to operating leases as of the year ended December 31, 2022 and the six months ended June 30, 2023 was as follows:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 19,250 | 16,819 | 2,319 | |||||||||
Operating lease liabilities, current | 1,696 | 1,271 | 175 | |||||||||
Operating lease liabilities, non-current | 4,789 | 4,361 | 601 | |||||||||
Weighted average remaining lease terms | 3.79 years | 2.83 years | ||||||||||
Weighted average discount rate | 4.41 | % | 4.25 | % |
Cash flow information related to leases consists of the following:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | 6,603 | 331 | 46 | |||||||||
Derecognition of right-of use-assets | 7,408 | |||||||||||
Derecognition of lease liabilities | 5,658 |
Amortization of right-of-use assets:
As of June 30, 2023 |
||||
RMB | ||||
FY2023 | 960 | |||
FY2024 | 1,063 | |||
FY2025 | 1,075 | |||
FY2026 | 1,087 | |||
FY2027 | 1,087 | |||
FY2028 | 620 | |||
FY2029 | 290 | |||
FY2030 | 147 | |||
Total future lease payment | 6,329 | |||
less: imputed interest | 697 | |||
Represent value of future lease payments(1) | 5,632 |
(1) | Present value of future operating lease payments consisted of current portion of operating lease liabilities and non-current portion of operating lease liabilities, amounting to RMB1,271 (US$175) and RMB4,361 (US$601) as of June 30, 2023. |
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16. LOAN PAYABLES
Loan payables were as follows as of the respective balance sheet dates:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Loan payables, current portion | 6,500 | 6,500 | 896 | |||||||||
Loan payables, non-current portion | ||||||||||||
6,500 | 6,500 | 896 |
On September 17, 2020, Zhejiang Youguan Automobile Service Co., Ltd. (“ZJ Youguan”) entered into a loan agreement with WuYi Transportation Construction Investment Group Company Limited (“WuYi Transportation Construction”), pursuant to which ZJ Youguan was entitled to borrow a loan of RMB20,000 with a weighted average interest rate of 7.5%. ZJ Youguan drew down the amount in full. On July 1, 2021, ZJ Youguan entered into a supplementary agreement with WuYi Transportation Construction, pursuant to which ZJ Youguan shall fully repay this loan by the end of 2021. ZJ Youguan repaid RMB10,000 on July 27, 2021, RMB2,000 on October 29, 2021, RMB1,000 on December 29, 2021 and RMB500 on July 29, 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2023, the outstanding balance of this loan is RMB6,500, which is overdue.
17. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Major related parties that transacted with the Group and their respective relationship to the Group listed as below:
Names of the related parties | Relationship with the Group | |
Hangzhou Youyue Travel Technology Co., Ltd. (“Hangzhou Youyue”) | An affiliate of Bingyi Zhao | |
Jia Li | Controlling shareholder, Director and CEO of U Power Limited | |
Bingyi Zhao | Director and Chief Financial Officer of U Power Limited | |
Youche Jingpin E-commerce (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Youche Jingpin”) | An affiliate of Jia Li | |
Shanghai Youcang Business Consulting Partnership (Limited Partnership) (“Shanghai Youcang”) | An affiliate of Jia Li | |
Nanmu (Shanghai) Finance Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Nanmu”) | An affiliate of Jia Li |
(a) Amounts due from related parties
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Youche Jingpi | 20 | 20 | 3 | |||||||||
Shanghai Youcang | 100 | 155 | 21 | |||||||||
120 | 175 | 24 |
(b) Amounts due to related parties
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Jia Li | 228 | 2,701 | 372 | |||||||||
Bingyi Zhao | 23 | 22 | 3 | |||||||||
Hangzhou Youyue | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||
Nanmu | 8,534 | 1,177 | ||||||||||
251 | 11,263 | 1,553 |
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18. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT EXPENSES
All eligible employees of the Group are entitled to staff welfare benefits including medical care, welfare subsidies, unemployment insurance and pension benefits through a PRC government-mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan. The Group is required to make contributions to the plan and accrues these benefits based on certain percentages of the qualified employees’ salaries. The Group recorded employee benefit expenses of RMB2,168 and RMB1,892 (US$261) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
19. INCOME TAXES
Cayman Islands
The Company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands and conducts its primary business operations through the subsidiaries in the PRC and Hong Kong. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and the Company is therefore not subject to tax on income or capital gains arising in Cayman Islands.
British Virgin Islands
Subsidiaries in British Virgin Islands are not subject to tax on income or capital gains under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands. Additionally, upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders, no British Virgin Islands withholding tax will be imposed.
Hong Kong
Subsidiaries in Hong Kong are subject to a two-tiered income tax rate for taxable income earned in Hong Kong. The first 2,000 Hong Kong dollars of profits earned by a company is subject to be taxed at an income tax rate of 8.25%, while the remaining profits will continue to be taxed at the existing tax rate of 16.5%. No provision for Hong Kong profits tax has been made in the consolidated financial statements as it has no assessable profit for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
PRC
The Company’s PRC subsidiaries are incorporated in the PRC and subject to the statutory rate of 25% on the taxable income in accordance with the Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “EIT Law”), which was effective since January 1, 2008, except for certain entities eligible for preferential tax rates.
Dividends, interests, rent or royalties payable by the Company’s PRC subsidiaries, to non-PRC resident enterprises, and proceeds from any such non-resident enterprise investor’s disposition of assets (after deducting the net value of such assets) shall be subject to 10% withholding tax, unless the respective non-PRC resident enterprise’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty or arrangements with China that provides for a reduced withholding tax rate or an exemption from withholding tax.
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The EIT Law also provides that enterprises established under the laws of foreign countries or regions and whose “place of effective management” is located within the PRC are considered PRC tax resident enterprises and subject to PRC income tax at the rate of 25% on worldwide income. The definition of “place of effective management” refers to an establishment that exercises, in substance, overall management and control over the production and business, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise.
As of June 30, 2023, the administrative practice associated with interpreting and applying the concept of “place of effective management” is unclear. If the Company is deemed as a PRC tax resident, it will be subject to 25% PRC enterprise income tax under the EIT Law on its worldwide income, meanwhile the dividend it receives from another PRC tax resident company will be exempted from 25% PRC income tax. The Company will continue to monitor changes in the interpretation or guidance of this law.
Loss before income taxes consisted of:
June 30 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Non-PRC | ||||||||||||
PRC | (12,981 | ) | (5,834 | ) | (806 | ) | ||||||
(12,981 | ) | (5,834 | ) | (806 | ) |
The following table presents the composition of income tax expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023:
June 30 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Current income tax expense | 5 | 1,344 | 185 | |||||||||
Deferred income tax expense | ||||||||||||
5 | 1,344 | 185 |
Uncertain tax positions
The Group evaluates each uncertain tax position (including the potential application of interest and penalties) based on the technical merits, and measure the unrecognized benefits associated with the tax positions. As of the year ended December 31, 2022 and the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Group did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions.
The Group did not accrue any liability, interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in its provision for income taxes line of its consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 and for the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
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20. RESTRICTED NET ASSETS
Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Group’s PRC subsidiaries only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The results of operations reflected in the financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP differ from those reflected in the statutory financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries.
In accordance with the Regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment of China, a foreign invested enterprise established in the PRC is required to provide certain statutory reserves, namely general reserve fund, enterprise expansion fund, and staff welfare and bonus fund which are appropriated from net profit as reported in the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts, which is included in retained earnings accounts in equity section of the consolidated balance sheets. A wholly foreign owned invested enterprise is required to allocate at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit to the general reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its respective registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts.
Appropriations to the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund are at the discretion of the board of directors for all foreign invested enterprises. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash dividends. If any PRC subsidiary incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments to the Group. Any limitation on the ability of the PRC subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to their respective shareholders could materially and adversely limit the ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to pay dividends.
Additionally, in accordance with the Company Law of the PRC, a domestic enterprise is required to provide a statutory common reserve of at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit until such reserve reaches 50% of its respective registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. The Group’s provision for the statutory common reserve is in compliance with the aforementioned requirement of the Company Law. A domestic enterprise is also required to provide for discretionary surplus reserve, at the discretion of the board of directors, from the profits determined in accordance with the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash dividends. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, the PRC subsidiaries did not have after-tax profit, and therefore, no statutory reserves were allocated.
Because the Group’s entities in the PRC can only be paid out of distributable profits reported in accordance with PRC accounting standards, the Group’s entities in the PRC are restricted from transferring a portion of their net assets to the Company. The restricted amounts include the paid-in capital and additional paid-in capital of the Group’s entities in the PRC. The aggregate amount of paid-in capital and additional paid-in capital, which is the amount of net assets of the Group’s entities in the PRC (mainland) not available for distribution, were RMB383,980 and RMB383,823 (US$52,932) as of the year ended December 31, 2022 and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
21. LOSS PER SHARE
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the years presented were calculated as follows:
June 30 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||||||
Net loss | (12,986 | ) | (7,178 | ) | (991 | ) | ||||||
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest | (2,029 | ) | (3,711 | ) | (512 | ) | ||||||
Net loss attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders | (10,957 | ) | (3,467 | ) | (479 | ) | ||||||
Denominator: | ||||||||||||
50,000,000 | 50,416,667 | 50,416,667 | ||||||||||
(0.22 | ) | (0.07 | ) | (0.01 | ) |
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22. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments
The assets pledged as collaterals for loans of the Group is discussed in Note 13 BANK BORROWINGS.
The following table sets forth the Group’s contractual obligations as of June 30, 2023:
Payment due by period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Less than 1 year |
1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years |
||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term bank borrowings (i) | 10,000 | 1,379 | 10,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating lease liabilities (ii) | 5,632 | 776 | 1,271 | 1,837 | 1,967 | 557 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loan payable to WuYi Transportation Construction (iii) | 6,500 | 896 | 6,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Payables to Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Zone Chenhui Investment Partnership Enterprise (Limited Partnership) (iv) | 1,281 | 177 | 1,281 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 23,413 | 3,228 | 9,477 | 11,785 | 1,991 | 1,013 |
(i) | Youxu Zibo’s commitment for long-term bank borrowings as of June 30, 2023 is discussed in Note 13 BANK BORROWINGS. |
(ii) | Our commitment for minimum lease payments under the remaining operating leases as of June 30, 2023, 2022 is discussed in Note 15 LEASES. |
(iii) | ZJ Youguan’s commitment for loan payable to WuYi Transportation Construction as of June 30, 2023 is discussed in Note 16 LOAN PAYABLES and Note 23 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS. |
(iv) | AHYS’s commitment for the payables to Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Zone Chenhui Investment Partnership Enterprise (Limited Partnership) as of June 30, 2023 is discussed in Note 23 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS. |
Other than as shown above, the Group did not have any significant capital and other commitments, long-term obligations or guarantees as of June 30, 2023.
Contingencies
The Group is subject to legal proceedings and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of business. The results of such proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, but the Group does not anticipate that the final outcome arising out of any such matter will have a material adverse effect on the Group’s consolidated business, financial position, cash flows or results of operations taken as a whole except the following:
A contingency provision of RMB2,900 (US$400) was accounted for. Youpin Automobile Service Group Co. Ltd. (“Youpin”) was a party of a lawsuit commenced by Anhui Juhu Menchuang Technologies Company Limited (“Anhui Juhu”), in which Youpin was requested to pay the rent for an office of RMB2,000 and a penalty for breach of contract of RMB900, resulting from the early termination of the lease contract. Youpin lost the first trial on April 20, 2023. Since relevant economic loss is probable and reliably measured, relevant cash out flow of RMB2,900 (US$400) was provided for the year ended December 31, 2022.
F-
Guarantees
From August 2021 to November 2021, Youguan Financial Leasing provided a total of RMB6,257 (US$863) guarantee to its five customers who entered into two five-year guarantees, one three-year guarantee and two four-year guarantees. As of the date of this report, all these loans are under normal repayment by these five customers.
23. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Group evaluated all events that occurred up to the date of this report and determined that no events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements except the following:
In September and December 2022, Youpin and AHYS respectively were implicated as outsiders in a lawsuit in relation to a private equity institution. However, Youpin and AHYS have actually terminated the investment agreement with the private equity institution and partially refunded the investment funds. Youpin and AHYS have filed a notice of appeal in 2023. To the date of this report, this case is in the appeal review and filing stage.
AHYS was sued by Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Zone Chenhui Investment Partnership Enterprise (Limited Partnership) (“Chenhui”) in relation to the equity transfer transaction between AHYS and Chenhui. On May 30, 2023, AHYS and Chenhui entered into a settlement agreement. AHYS agreed to pay attorney fees, equity transfer fee and arbitration fee with a total of RMB1,281 (US$177) before December 31, 2023.
ZJ Youguan was a party of a lawsuit commenced by WuYi Transportation Construction, for its failure to repay the loan payables discussed within Note 16. LOAN PAYABLES. ZJ Youguan lost the first trial on March 20, 2023. Based on the agreement by both parties on June 13, 2023, ZJ Youguan reached a settlement with WuYi Transportation Construction that remaining RMB6,500 (US$896) loan payables shall be repaid before December 15, 2023.
Youpin SD sued one of its vehicle sourcing service providers Inner Mongolia Zhonglutong Trading Co., Ltd. for failing to deliver vehicles as scheduled to Youpin SD’s customer. Youpin SD won the case on September 8, 2022. On March 23, 2023, both parties entered into a settlement agreement, and the supplier agreed to return the deposit and liquidated damages with a total of RMB2,746 (US$379).
Youpin was sued by Beijing Hengyuan Xinye Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Hengyuan Xinye”) who is the creditor of Nanmu (Shanghai) Finance Leasing Co., Ltd., a business partner of Youpin, for providing joint and several liability guarantee for Nanmu (Shanghai) Financial Leasing Co., Ltd by Youpin. On December 30, 2021, Youpin won the first trial. As of the date of this report, the case is currently on appeal.
On September 11, 2023, Youpin sued Hainan Gaozhan New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. for a refund of deposit for an automobile exhibition amounting to RMB170 (US$23.4) and a penalty of breach of contract amounting to RMB200 (US$27.6). As of the date of this report, the case is currently waiting for the court session.
On July 14, 2023, SH Youxu entered into a one-year banking facility agreement with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co., Ltd., a commercial bank in China, pursuant to which SH Youxu was entitled to borrow a loan of RMB3.0 million (US$0.4 million), with an annual interest rate of 3.70% for working capital needs. SH Youxu withdrew the amount in full.
On August 7, 2023, Youpin SD entered into a one-year banking facility agreement with China Construction Bank, a commercial bank in China, pursuant to which Youpin SD was entitled to borrow a loan of RMB2.0 million (US$0.3 million), with an annual interest rate of 3.95%. On July 28, 2023, Youpin SD entered into two-year loan agreements with Huaneng Guicheng Trust Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Qianhai Webank Co., Ltd., respectively, pursuant to which Youpin SD was entitled to borrow a loan of RMB0.5 million (US$0.07 million), respectively, with an annual interest rate of 15.12% and 9.9% respectively, for working capital needs. Youpin SD withdrew above amount in full.
F-28
Exhibit 99.2
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations is based upon and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial results and the related notes for the six (6) months ended June 30, 2023.
Overview
We are a vehicle sourcing service provider in China, with a vision to become an electrical vehicle (“EV”) market player primarily focusing on our proprietary battery-swapping technology, or UOTTA technology, which is an intelligent modular battery-swapping technology designed to provide a comprehensive battery power solution for EVs.
Since our commencement of operations in 2013, we have principally engaged in the provision of vehicle sourcing services. Beginning in 2020, we gradually shifted our focus from the vehicle sourcing business to the development of our UOTTA technology. In 2021, leveraging years of automobile industry experience, we started cooperating with major automobile manufactures to jointly develop UOTTA-powered EVs, by adapting selected EV models with our UOTTA technology. We also have engaged with a battery-swapping station manufacturer to jointly develop and manufacture UOTTA battery-swapping stations and operate one battery-swapping station factory in Zibo, China. Additionally, we provide battery- swapping services.
Key Financial Performance Indicators
Revenues
The following table sets forth a breakdown of our revenues, in absolute amounts and percentages of total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively:
For the Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sourcing services | 1,300 | 30.4 | 1,435 | 198 | 75.7 | |||||||||||||||
Product sales | 2,634 | 61.6 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Battery-swapping services | 343 | 8.0 | 461 | 64 | 24.3 | |||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 4,277 | 100.0 | 1,896 | 262 | 100.0 |
We primarily generate revenues from vehicle sourcing services and products sales of battery-swapping stations. Battery-swapping services revenues represent the revenues generated from providing battery swapping services to vehicle drivers, and the station control system upgrading services to the battery-swapping station owners.
Sourcing services
For vehicle sourcing business, we charge service fees from our customers for their purchase of vehicles, where we are generally acting as an agent and our performance obligation is to purchase the specified vehicles for our customers. We charge the customers a commission that is calculated based on the purchase price of each purchase order. Vehicle sourcing service fee revenues are recognized on a net basis at the point in time when the service of purchase of the specified vehicles for our customers is completed, i.e., the specified vehicle for our customers is delivered. Payments are typically received in advance and are accounted for as contract liabilities until delivery, at which point the receipt in advance from customers is offset with the prepayment to the supplier and the difference representing the commission is recognized as revenue. Vehicle sourcing services revenue accounted for 30.4% and 75.7% of the total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Product Sales
We generate revenue from sales of battery swapping stations, which accounted for 61.6% and nil of the total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. We identify the users who purchase battery swapping stations as our customers. The revenue for battery swapping station sales is recognized at a point in time when the control of the product is transferred to our customers.
Battery-swapping services
We have generated revenues from providing battery swapping services to vehicle drivers and station control system upgrading services to the battery-swapping station owners since fiscal year 2022. The revenues generated from battery-swapping services accounted for 8% and 24.3% of the total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Cost of Revenues
The following table sets forth a breakdown of our cost of revenues, in absolute amounts and percentages of the total cost of our revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively:
For the Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of product sales | 2,396 | 87.2 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Cost of battery-swapping services | 332 | 12.1 | 491 | 68 | 82.2 | |||||||||||||||
Others | 20 | 0.7 | 106 | 14 | 17.8 | |||||||||||||||
Total cost of revenues | 2,748 | 100.0 | 597 | 82 | 100.0 |
Costs of products sales mainly include the costs of sales of batter-swapping stations, which primarily include semi-finished goods purchased from suppliers, labor costs and manufacturing costs, mainly including depreciation of assets associated with production.
Costs of battery-swapping services mainly include the electric charge costs and the rental costs of batteries for battery swapping services.
Other service costs primarily include the taxes and surcharges costs in accordance with PRC laws.
Operating Expenses
The following table sets forth a breakdown of our operating expenses, in absolute amounts and percentages of operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively:
For the Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing expense | 866 | 5.7 | 1,012 | 140 | 4.6 | |||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 11,525 | 75.8 | 16,792 | 2,316 | 76.9 | |||||||||||||||
Research and development expenses | 2,810 | 18.5 | 1,941 | 268 | 8.9 | |||||||||||||||
Expected credit losses | - | - | 2,086 | 288 | 9.6 | |||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 15,201 | 100.0 | 21,831 | 3,012 | 100.0 |
Sales and marketing expenses
Our sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of (i) compensation to selling and marketing personnel, including salaries, performance-based bonuses and other benefits; (ii) travel costs related to sales and marketing; (iii) bid costs and advertising, marketing and brand promotion expenses; and (iv) other expenses in relation to the selling and marketing activities. Advertising expenses consist primarily of costs for the promotion of corporate image and product marketing. We expense all advertising costs as incurred and classify these costs under sales and marketing expenses.
General and administrative expenses
Our general and administrative expenses primarily consist of (i) employee compensation, including salaries, benefits and bonuses for our general corporate staff; (ii) professional service fees; (iii) depreciation for office equipment; (iv) operating and lease expenses for our offices; (v) office utilities; and (vi) certain other expenses.
Our selling, general and administrative expenses are mainly driven by the number of our sales, general corporate personnel, marketing and promotion activities and the expansion of our sales and service network.
Research and development expenses
Our research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel-related costs directly associated with research and development. Our research and development expenses are related to enhancing and developing UOTTA technology for our existing products and new product development. We expense research and development costs as incurred.
Our research and development expenses are mainly driven by the number of our research and development personnel, as well as the stage and scale of our UOTTA-powered EVs and battery-swapping stations development.
Expected credit losses
Our expected credit losses primarily consist of the provision of expected credit losses for accounts receivable, advance to suppliers and other current assets after estimating that the collection for the full amount is no longer probable.
Taxation
Cayman Islands
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or after execution, brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of the shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.
British Virgin Islands
Our subsidiaries incorporated in the British Virgin Islands are not subject to tax on income or capital gains under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands. There are no withholding taxes in the BVI.
Hong Kong
Our subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong, are subject to a two-tiered income tax rate for their taxable income earned in Hong Kong. The first HK$2 million of profits earned by a company is subject to be taxed at an income tax rate of 8.25%, while the remaining profits will continue to be taxed at the existing tax rate of 16.5%. No provision for Hong Kong profits tax has been made in the consolidated financial statements as it has no assessable profit for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
PRC
Our subsidiaries in the PRC are subject to EIT on their taxable income in accordance with the relevant EIT Law. Pursuant to the EIT Law, which became effective on March 16, 2007 and was amended on December 29, 2018, a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate is generally applicable to both foreign-invested enterprises, or FIEs and domestic enterprises, except where a special preferential rate applies. The EIT is calculated based on the entity’s global income as determined under PRC tax laws and accounting standards.
Under the EIT Law, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and payable by an FIE in the PRC to its foreign investors who are non-resident enterprises are subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with the PRC that provides for a different withholding arrangement. The Cayman Islands, where the Company was incorporated, does not have a tax treaty with the PRC. In accordance with the accounting guidance, all undistributed earnings are presumed to be transferred to the parent company and are subject to the withholding taxes. All FIEs are subject to the withholding tax from January 1, 2008. The presumption may be overcome if we have sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the undistributed dividends will be re-invested and the remittance of the dividends will be postponed indefinitely. We did not record any dividend withholding tax, as we have no retained earnings for any of the years presented.
The EIT Law also provides that an enterprise established under the laws of a foreign country or region but whose “de facto management body” is located in the PRC be treated as a “resident enterprise” and consequently be subject to the PRC income tax at the rate of 25% for its global income. The EIT Law defines the location of the “de facto management body” as “the place where the exercising, in substance, of the overall management and control of the production and business operation, personnel, accounting, properties and others of a non-PRC company is located.” Based on a review of surrounding facts and circumstances, we do not believe that it is likely that our operations outside of the PRC will be considered a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, due to limited guidance and implementation history of the EIT Law, there is uncertainty as to the application of the EIT Law. If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or any of our subsidiaries outside of China were deemed to be a resident enterprise under the EIT Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a uniform enterprise income tax rate of 25%.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth the summary of our consolidated results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively, presented both in absolute amounts and as percentages of our total revenues. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. The results of operations in any particular period are not indicative of our future trends.
For the Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sourcing services | 1,300 | 30.4 | 1,435 | 198 | 75.7 | |||||||||||||||
Product sales | 2,634 | 61.6 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Battery-swapping services | 343 | 8.0 | 461 | 64 | 24.3 | |||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 4,277 | 100 | 1,896 | 262 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues | (2,748 | ) | (64.3 | ) | (597 | ) | (82 | ) | (31.5 | ) | ||||||||||
Gross profit | 1,529 | 35.7 | 1,299 | 180 | 68.5 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
Selling expenses | (866 | ) | (20.2 | ) | (1,012 | ) | (140 | ) | (53.4 | ) | ||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | (11,525 | ) | (269.5 | ) | (16,792 | ) | (2,316 | ) | (885.7 | ) | ||||||||||
Research and development expenses | (2,810 | ) | (65.7 | ) | (1,941 | ) | (268 | ) | (102.4 | ) | ||||||||||
Expected credit losses | - | - | (2,086 | ) | (288 | ) | (110.0 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | (15,201 | ) | (355.4 | ) | (21,831 | ) | (3,012 | ) | (1,151.5 | ) | ||||||||||
Operating loss | (13,672 | ) | (319.7 | ) | (20,532 | ) | (2,832 | ) | (1,082.9 | ) | ||||||||||
Interest income | 1,196 | 28 | 31 | 4 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expenses | (239 | ) | (5.6 | ) | (497 | ) | (69 | ) | (26.2 | ) | ||||||||||
Other income | 10 | 0.2 | 16,145 | 2,226 | 851.5 | |||||||||||||||
Other expense | (276 | ) | (6.5 | ) | (981 | ) | (135 | ) | (51.7 | ) | ||||||||||
Loss before income tax | (12,981 | ) | (303.5 | ) | (5,834 | ) | (806 | ) | (307.7 | ) | ||||||||||
Income tax expenses | (5 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (1,344 | ) | (185 | ) | (70.9 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss | (12,986 | ) | (303.6 | ) | (7,178 | ) | (991 | ) | (378.6 | ) |
Revenues
Sourcing services
We generated revenues from vehicle sourcing business, charged a commission that was calculated based on the purchase price of each purchase order and the commission was recognized upon delivery of vehicles to customers. Revenues from vehicle sourcing services were RMB1.3 million and RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively, with an increase of 11.4% compared with the same period of last year.
Product Sales
We generated revenues from sales of battery-swapping stations. Revenues from sales of battery swapping stations were RMB2.6 million and nil for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. There was no revenue generated from product sales for the six months ended June 30, 2023, because we could not secure sales of battery swapping stations in the new market regions due to insufficient business development in those regions, while the sales in established market regions had been completed.
Battery-swapping services
Battery swapping services also include station control system upgrading service. The revenues generated from battery-swapping services were RMB0.3 million and RMB0.5 million (US$0.06 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue were RMB2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, including RMB2.4 million for product sales derived from semi-finished goods purchased from suppliers, labor cost and manufacturing overhead, and RMB0.3 million for battery-swapping services, RMB0.03 for tax surcharge. Cost of revenue were RMB0.6 million (US$0.08 million), including RMB0.5 million for battery-swapping services and RMB0.1 million for tax surcharge for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Gross profit
Gross profit was RMB1.5 million and RMB1.3 million (US$0.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in product sales of swapping-stations for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses were RMB11.5 million and RMB16.8 million (US$2.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the increase in audit and other professional service costs for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Sales and marketing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses were RMB0.9 million and RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the bidding costs for selling battery swapping stations for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses were RMB2.8 million and RMB1.9 million (US$0.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease of certain performance-related expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Expected credit losses
Expected credit losses were nil and RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the provision of expected credit losses of accounts receivable, advance to suppliers and other current assets for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Interest income and expenses
Interest income decreased from RMB1.2 million to RMB0.03 million (US$0.004 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared with the same period in the last year, primarily due to the decrease of bank interest income. Interest expenses increased from RMB0.2 million to RMB0.5 million (US$0.07 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared with the same period in the last year, primarily due to the increase of loan interest and bank interest.
Other income and expenses
Other income was RMB0.01 million and RMB16.1 million (US$2.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the government grant recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Other expenses were RMB0.3 million and RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the investment loss recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Net loss
As a result of the foregoing, we incurred a net loss of RMB13.0 million and RMB7.2 million (US$1.0 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary source of liquidity historically has been cash generated from our business operations, bank loans, equity contributions from our shareholders, borrowings, and the initial public offering proceeds, which have historically been sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements.
As of the year ended December 31, 2022 and the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Group’s cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were RMB6.0 million and RMB108.9 million (US$15.0 million), respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on hand and highly liquid investments placed with banks, which are unrestricted to withdrawal and use and which have original maturities of three months or less.
On December 13, 2021,Youxu Zibo entered into a bank facility agreement with Bank of Qishang, a commercial bank in China. The principal amount under this loan agreement is RMB10 million, bearing a weighted average interest rate of 6.87% per annum and a term of three years, and was denominated in RMB.
We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, anticipated cash raised from financings, and anticipated cash flow from operations, together with the net proceeds from our initial public offering in April 2023, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for the next 12 months from the date of this report. The exact amount of proceeds we use for our operations and expansion plans will depend on the amount of cash generated from our operations and any strategic decisions we may make that could alter our expansion plans and the amount of cash necessary to fund these plans.
We may, however, decide to enhance our liquidity position or increase our cash reserve for future investments through additional capital and finance funding. We may need additional cash resources in the future if we experience changes in business conditions or other developments, or if we find and wish to pursue opportunities for investments, acquisitions, capital expenditures or similar actions. If we determine that our cash requirements exceed the amount of cash and cash equivalents we have on hand at the time, we may seek to issue equity or debt securities or obtain credit facilities. The issuance and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that would restrict our operations. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
Our ability to manage our working capital, including receivables and other assets and liabilities and accrued liabilities, may materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023:
For the Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Summary Consolidated Cash Flow: | ||||||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (12,143 | ) | (6,003 | ) | (829 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used in (provided by) investing activities | (1,886 | ) | 6,299 | 869 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 1,102 | 102,653 | 14,157 | |||||||||
Net decrease (increase) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | (12,927 | ) | 102,949 | 14,197 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, at beginning of period | 25,687 | 5,908 | 815 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, at end of period | 12,760 | 108,857 | 15,012 |
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was RMB6.0 million (US$0.8 million) in the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to net loss of RMB7.2 million (US$1.0 million), adjusted to add back depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and intangible assets of RMB1.3 million (US$0.2 million) and amortization of right-of-use assets of RMB2.8 million (US$0.4 million). The amount was further adjusted by changes in itemized balances of operating assets and liabilities that have a negative effect on cash flow, including primarily (i) an increase in advance to supplier of RMB10.9 million (US$1.5 million) in relation to general and administrative expense; (ii) an increase in other current assets of RMB5.5 million (US$0.8 million) in relation to increased tax recoverable amounts and loans to third parties, and (iii) a decrease in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of RMB3.3 million (US$0.5 million), as well as certain changes in itemized balances of operating assets and liabilities that have a positive effect on cash flow, including, primarily (i) an increase in amounts due to related parties of RMB11.0 million (US$1.5 million) in relation to the loans paid by the related parties; (ii) an increase in expected credit losses of RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million), primarily in relation to the accounts receivables, other current assets, and advances to suppliers; and (iii) an increase in accounts payable of RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million), primarily in relation to the accounts payable to suppliers, for example, the purchase of vehicle for sourcing service.
Net cash used in operating activities was RMB12.1 million (US$1.8 million) in the six months ended June 30, 2022, primarily due to net loss of RMB13.0 million (US$1.9 million), adjusted to add back depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and intangible assets of RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million) and amortization of right-of-use assets of RMB6.5 million (US$1.0 million). The amount was further adjusted by changes in itemized balances of operating assets and liabilities that have a negative effect on cash flow, including primarily (i) an increase in accounts receivable of RMB2.9 million (US$0.4 million) in relation to providing battery-swapping services; (ii) an increase in inventory of RMB1.5 million (US$0.2 million) in relation to materials for battery-swapping stations production; and (iii) a decrease in advances from customers of RMB34.3 million (US$5.1 million), as well as certain changes in itemized balances of operating assets and liabilities that have a positive effect on cash flow, including, primarily (i) a decrease in advance to suppliers of RMB36.1 million (US$5.4 million) in relation to prepayments to third-party suppliers for certain key materials; (ii) an increase in accounts payable of RMB2.2 million (US$0.3 million) in relation to the grace period we enjoyed for the payments payable to third-party suppliers; and (iii) an increase in accruals and other liabilities of RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million), primarily in relation to our marketing events.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was RMB6.3 million (US$0.9 million), mainly attributable to (i) purchase of property and equipment of RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million); (ii) payment of loans to third parties of RMB5.3 million (US$0.7 million); and (iii) income from long-term investments of RMB0.02 million (US$0.03 million).
Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was RMB1.9 million (US$0.3 million), mainly attributable to (i) purchase of property and equipment of RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million); (ii) payment of loans to third parties of RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million); (iii) cash received from a third party for repayment of a loan in the principal amount of RMB1.7 million (US$0.2 million); and (iv) payment for long-term investments of RMB1.8 million (US$0.3 million).
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was RMB102.7 million (US$14.2 million), mainly attributable to the capital contribution from issurance of ordinary shares of RMB97.7 million (US$13.5 million), and non-controlling shareholders of RMB5.0 million (US$0.7 million).
Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was RMB1.1 million (US$0.2 million), mainly attributable to proceeds from a loan from a third party of RMB1.1 million (US$0.2 million).
Holding Company Structure
U Power Limited, our holding company, has no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our subsidiaries in the PRC. As a result, U Power Limited’s ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our subsidiaries in the PRC. If our existing PRC subsidiaries or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, our subsidiaries in China are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. In addition, our subsidiaries in China may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to enterprise expansion funds and staff bonus and welfare funds at its discretion. The statutory reserve funds and the discretionary funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned company out of China is subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. Our PRC subsidiaries have not paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds.
Borrowings
The following table sets forth the breakdown of our borrowings as of the dates indicated:
December 31 | June 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
Long-term bank borrowing, current portion | - | - | - | |||||||||
Long-term bank borrowing, non-current portion | 10,000 | 10,000 | 1,379 | |||||||||
10,000 | 10,000 | 1,379 |
On December 13, 2021, Youxu Zibo entered into a bank facility agreement with Bank of Qishang, a commercial bank in China, pursuant to which Youxu Zibo was entitled to borrow a loan of RMB10.0 million (US$1.5 million) for a period of three years with an annual interest rate of 6.87% for working capital needs. Youxu Zibo drew down the amount in full.
Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of the dates indicated:
Payment due by period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Less than 1 year |
1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years |
||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term bank borrowings (i) | 10,000 | 1,379 | - | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating lease liabilities (ii) | 5,632 | 776 | 1,271 | 1,837 | 1,967 | 557 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loan payable to WuYi Transportation Construction (iii) | 6,500 | 896 | 6,500 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Payables to Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Zone Chenhui Investment Partnership Enterprise (Limited Partnership) (iv) | 1,281 | 177 | 1,281 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Total | 23,413 | 3,228 | 9,477 | 11,785 | 1,991 | 1,013 |
(i) | Youxu Zibo’s commitment for long-term bank borrowings as of June 30, 2023 is discussed in Note 13 BANK BORROWINGS to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. |
(ii) | Our commitment for minimum lease payments under the remaining operating leases as of June 30, 2023, 2022 is discussed in Note 15 LEASES to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. |
(iii) | ZJ Youguan’s commitment for loan payable to WuYi Transportation Construction as of June 30, 2023 is discussed in Note 16 LOAN PAYABLES and Note 23 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. |
(iv) | AHYS’s commitment for the payables to Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Zone Chenhui Investment Partnership Enterprise (Limited Partnership) as of June 30, 2023 is discussed in Note 23 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. |
Other than as shown above, the Group did not have any significant capital and other commitments, long-term obligations or guarantees as of June 30, 2023.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financial guarantees or other off-balance sheet commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties, except for the following:
From August 2021 to November 2021, Youguan Financial Leasing provided a total of RMB6.0 million (US$0.8 million) guarantee to its five customers who entered into two five-year guarantees, one three-year guarantee and two four-year guarantees. As of the date of this report, loans repayments by these five customers are made on monthly basis.
We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder’s equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or product development services with us.
Key Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Our results of operations have been, and are expected to continue to be, affected by various factors, which primarily include the following:
General market conditions
General market conditions affecting our operations include:
● | China’s macroeconomic conditions, the growth of China’s overall auto market, commercial EV market and the government policy on promoting the electrification of commercial vehicles; |
● | penetration rate of EVs and battery-swapping stations in China’s commercial EV market; |
● | development, and customer acceptance and demand, of UOTTA-powered EVs and battery-swapping stations; and |
● | government policies and regulations on the EV and battery-swapping station industries in China. |
Our cooperation with auto manufacturers
As of the date of this report, our UOTTA technology is in the process of being adapted to commercial-use electric vehicles, by cooperating with major auto manufacturers in China. We have entered into cooperating agreements with two car manufacturers to jointly develop the UOTTA-powered EV models. We expect that the expertise and industry know-how of such manufacturers will guide us in our efforts in entering the commercial EV market. We believe we may be one of the few companies that are able to develop such relationships with these major manufacturers, due to our industry experience, research and development capabilities, and industry reputation.
Our ability to attract new customers and grow our customer base
Our ability to attract and retain customers is critical to the continued success and growth of our business. Appropriate pricing is essential for us to remain competitive in the China automotive market, while preserving our ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the future. Our ability to attract new customers also depends on the scale and efficiency of our sales network and marketing channels. We seek to attract new customers cost-efficiently by engaging in various marketing activities. Enhanced customer satisfaction will help to drive word-of-mouth referrals, which we expect may reduce our customer acquisition costs.
Our ability to deliver our UOTTA-powered EV and battery-swapping stations portfolio
Our ability to deliver UOTTA-powered EV models and battery-swapping stations, and to provide battery-swapping services will be an important contributor to our future growth. As of the date of this report, we are jointly developing our UOTTA-powered EV models with car manufacturers and have launched two models of UOTTA battery-swapping stations, Titan and Chipbox, by cooperating with one battery-swapping station manufacturer in China. We expect our revenue growth to be driven in part by the launch of our UOTTA-powered EV and expansion of our battery-swapping stations portfolio.
Our ability to innovate and retain talents
We plan to focus on technological innovations and to continue developing and upgrading our proprietary UOTTA technology. Accordingly, we dedicate significant resources to research and development, and our research and development staff accounted for 32% of our total employees as of the date of this report. We expect our strategic focus on innovations to further differentiate us from our competitors, which may in turn enhance our competitiveness.
Impact of COVID-19 on our operations
For the six months ended June 30, 2023, China experienced a transition from strict control of the COVID-19 pandemic to a full deregulation. Right after the full deregulation, many of the Chinese population were infected with the COVID-19 virus, and many industries nearly came to a halt in operations from early January 2023 to March 2023, then gradually returning to normal operations. During this period, the business activities in all departments of the Company were impacted.
During the periods from 2020 to 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic casted a substantial shadow over both the Chinese and global economies. The Chinese government, in response to the pandemic, had implemented stringent travel restrictions within the country until the end of 2022. These restrictions had led to the disruption of operations in many manufacturing facilities and supply chains. Since the full deregulation of the COVID-19 pandemic at the end of 2022, we had managed to resume normal business operations, however, we were not immune to the continuous disruptions stemming from the pandemic. A significant number of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) dealers within our sourcing network had suffered adverse consequences in terms of their regular operations and business activities. This, in turn, affected our ability to maintain smooth operations in certain aspects.
As a direct result of these disruptions, some of our projects had to be postponed. In particular, two significant projects faced significant delays: (i) The installation and operation of three UOTTA battery-swapping stations, which had been sold in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, had to be postponed due to the lingering effects of extended lockdowns and self-quarantine policies in China. These restrictions made it challenging to execute on-site installations and ensure the safe and efficient operation of these stations. (ii) The development and launch of UOTTA-powered Electric Vehicle models were significantly delayed. The extended lockdown and self-quarantine policies in China had hindered our ability to effectively communicate and progress in our collaboration with manufacturing partners. This delay in product development and launch had a direct impact on our revenue streams and market competitiveness.
Despite some optimism stemming from the Chinese government’s decision on December 7, 2022, to gradually reduce COVID-19 prevention control measures, the overall impact of COVID-19 on our future financial results remained uncertain. Our outlook depends on several factors, including the duration and severity of the pandemic, the potential for any resurgences, future government responses, and the broader implications of the pandemic on the global economy and capital markets. These variables continued to be highly unpredictable, making it impossible for us to provide a quantifiable estimate of the expected impact of COVID-19 on our future operations, financial condition, liquidity, and results.
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