U Power Announces First Half of 2024 Financial Results

SHANGHAI, Oct. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- U Power Limited (Nasdaq: UCAR) (the "Company" or "U Power"), a vehicle sourcing services provider with a vision to becoming a comprehensive EV battery power solution provider in China, today announced its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Mr. Jia Li, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, commented, "In the first half of fiscal year 2024, our business achieved 595.7% year-over-year revenue growth to reach RMB13.2 million. This growth stemmed from increased orders from both existing clients and new customers for our battery-swapping stations as the economy continued to gradually recover following the COVID-19 pandemic. We've been successful in transforming our vehicle sourcing business to provide EV battery power solutions in China. We believe that this shift has enhanced our competitiveness, and we expect it to expand our future revenue growth potential."

Ms. Bingyi Zhao, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, added, "Our financial results for the first half of fiscal year 2024 demonstrate our commitment to responsible financial management while simultaneously making strategic investments for our future growth. Our R&D expenses decreased as we have successfully completed several key projects, and we remain committed to innovation and have strategically allocated resources to new and high-potential research initiatives. Our improved credit management practices have yielded positive results, as we generated an expected gain on credit of RMB0.5 million in the first half, compared to a loss in the same period last year. We believe we are well-positioned with the necessary working capital and strong foundation to support our growth plans, including the launch of operations in multiple international markets, and we are confident in the current financial state of the business."

First Half of 2024 Financial Results

Revenues

Total revenues increased by 595.7% year over year to RMB13.2 million (US$1.8 million) in the first half of 2024.

    --  Product sales revenues were RMB12.4 million (US$1.7 million) in the
        first half of 2024, compared to nil in the same period of 2023,
        representing 93.9% of total net revenues. This was a result of the
        Company's ability to sell more battery stations as the economy gradually
        recovered from the impact of COVID-19 in 2023.
    --  Sourcing services revenues were RMB0.1 million (US$10,000) in the first
        half of 2024, compared to RMB1.4 million in the same period of 2023,
        representing 0.6% of total net revenues. The decrease was a result of
        the company's shift in focus towards charging- and swapping-related
        products.
    --  Battery-swapping services revenues were RMB0.7 million (US$0.1 million)
        in the first half of 2024, compared to RMB0.5 million in the same period
        of 2023, representing 5.5% of total net revenues. The increase was
        primarily driven by the Company's operation of a second battery-swapping
        station beginning in March 2023, which remained operational through the
        reporting period.

Cost of revenues, gross profit and margin

Total cost of revenues increased 1,893.6% year over year to RMB11.9 million (US$1.6 million) for the first half of 2024, primarily driven by significant revenue growth and strategic shifts in the supply chain. This increase was primarily due to the increased cost of product sales of battery swapping stations.

Total gross profit decreased 0.8% year over year to RMB1.3 million (US$0.2 million) for the first half of 2024, representing a gross margin of 9.8%.

Operating expenses

Total operating expenses were RMB27.7 million (US$3.8 million) for the first half of 2024, representing an increase of 26.8% from the same period last year.

    --  Sales and marketing expenses were RMB1.5 million (US$0.2 million) in the
        first half of 2024, compared to RMB1.0 million in the same period of
        last year, representing an increase of 46.5%. This increase is primarily
        due to the increase in marketing expenses for selling battery swapping
        stations.
    --  General and administrative expenses were RMB26.2 million (US$3.6
        million) in the first half of 2024, compared to RMB16.8 million in the
        same period of last year, representing an increase of 55.8%, primarily
        driven by an increase in audit costs and other professional service
        costs.
    --  Research and development expenses were RMB0.6 million (US$0.1 million)
        in the first half of 2024, compared to RMB1.9 million in the same period
        of last year, representing a decrease of 70.4%, primarily due to the
        decreased UOTTA technology innovation activities related to research and
        development programs.
    --  Expected gain/loss on credit resulted in a gain of RMB0.5 million
        (US$70,000) in the first half of 2024, compared to a loss of RMB2.1
        million in the same period of last year. The decrease was primarily due
        to the decreased impact of potential uncollectible amounts for advances
        to suppliers and other current assets, and reflects improved credit
        management practices and a stronger collection process.

Net loss

Net loss was RMB26.5 million (US$3.6 million) in the first half of 2024, compared with RMB7.2 million in the same period of last year.

Loss per share

Basic and diluted loss per share were both RMB7.42 (US$1.02) in the first half of 2024, compared with basic and diluted loss per share of RMB6.88 in the same period of last year.

Liquidity

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of RMB40.5 million (US$5.6 million), compared with RMB36.2 million as of December 31, 2023.

Business Developments

On August 5, 2024, the Company announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Velo Labs Technology Ltd., a global fintech company, to establish a battery infrastructure investment ecosystem in Thailand. This collaboration aims to accelerate the development of battery bank operations within the UOTTA battery-swapping ecosystem.

On July 3, 2024, the Company announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") with Pattaya AI Terminal Co., Ltd. to jointly drive the strategic development of green logistics and electric vehicle ("EV") infrastructure in Thailand.

On June 5, 2024, the Company announced that its UOTTA technology and battery swapping station model is to be adopted in a strategic collaboration between UNEX EV B.V. ("UNEX") and Associação Nacional dos Transportes Rodoviários em Automóveis Ligeiros ("ANTRAL"). ANTRAL is an association of companies in Portugal, representing public passenger road transport companies operating light vehicles designated as taxis. Through their collaboration, UNEX and ANTRAL aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by 2030, in line with the European Union's decarbonization targets and Portugal's regulatory requirements for taxi vehicles.

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi ("RMB") amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at the rate of RMB7.2672 to US$1.00, the exchange rate on June 30, 2024, 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, 2024. The Company makes no representation that the Renminbi or U.S. dollars amounts referred to could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current view about future events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "propose," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company's registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About U Power Limited

U Power Limited is a vehicle sourcing services provider, with a vision to becoming an EV market player primarily focused on its 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 its operation in 2013, the Company has established a vehicle sourcing network in China's lower-tier cities. The Company has developed two types of battery-swapping stations for compatible EVs and is operating one manufacturing factory in Zibo City, Shandong Province, China. For more information, please visit the Company's website: http://ir.upincar.com/.

Contact

U Power Limited
Investor Relations Department
Email: ir@upincar.com

Robin Yang, Partner
ICR, LLC
Email: UPower.IR@icrinc.com
Phone: +1 (212) 475-0415


        U Power Limited


        Consolidated Income


     
     Statement




                                                                                For the     For the      For the

                                                                                  six         six          six

                                                                                 months      months       months

                                                                                 ended       ended        ended

                                                                                Jun 30,     Jun 30,      Jun 30,


                                                                                     2023         2024          2024


                                                                              (unaudited) (unaudited)  (unaudited)


                                                                                RMB'000     RMB'000      USD'000


                                         Net revenues


                              Sourcing services                                     1,435           75            10


                            
     Product sales                                                    12,389         1,705


                              Battery-swapping
                               service                                                461          726           100


                                         Total net revenues                         1,896       13,190         1,815




                              Cost of revenues                                      (597)    (11,902)      (1,638)




                                         Gross profit                               1,299        1,288           177




                              Sales and marketing                                 (1,012)     (1,483)        (204)

                            
     expenses


                              General and
                               administrative                                    (16,792)    (26,157)      (3,599)

                            
     expenses


                              Research and
                               development                                        (1,941)       (575)         (79)

                            
     expenses


                              Expected credit losses                              (2,086)         531            73


                                         Total operating
                                          expenses                               (21,831)    (27,684)      (3,809)




                                         Operating loss                          (20,532)    (26,396)      (3,632)




                              Interest income                                          31            7             1


                              Interest expenses                                     (497)       (877)        (121)


                            
     Other income                                         16,145        1,435           197


                            
     Other expenses                                        (981)       (685)         (94)


                                         Loss before income
                                          taxes                                   (5,834)    (26,516)      (3,649)




                              Income tax expense                                  (1,344)




                                         Net loss                                 (7,178)    (26,516)      (3,649)


                              Less: Net loss
                               attributable                                       (3,711)     (2,991)        (412)

                              to non-controlling
                               interests


                                         Net loss attributable
                                          to                                      (3,467)    (23,525)      (3,237)

                                         the Company's

                                         shareholders and total

                                         comprehensive loss




                                                      Loss per share


                              Ordinary shares-basic
                               and                                                 (6.88)      (7.42)       (1.02)

                            
     diluted




                                                      Weighted average shares

                                                      outstanding used in

                                                      calculating basic and

                                                      diluted loss per share


                              Ordinary shares-basic
                               and                                                504,167    3,168,544     3,168,544

                            
     diluted



              
                U Power Limited



              
                Consolidated Balance Sheet






                                                                          Jun 30,2024 Jun 30,2024  Dec 31,2023


                                                                          (unaudited) (unaudited)   (audited)


                                                                            RMB'000     USD'000      RMB'000



              
                Assets



              
                
                  Current assets



              Cash and cash equivalents                                       39,615        5,451         1,927



              Restricted cash                                                    900          124        34,312



              Accounts receivable                                             18,553        2,553        15,748



              Inventories                                                      5,990          824         5,439



              Advance to suppliers                                            11,251        1,548        10,816



              Other current assets                                            75,966       10,454        94,813



              Amount due from related parties                                    406           56           142



              
                
                  Total current assets               152,681       21,010       163,197





              
                
                  Non-current assets



              Property and equipment, net                                      9,506        1,308        11,764



              Intangible assets, net                                             167           23           201



              Operating lease right-of-use assets, net                        18,855        2,595        21,656



              Long-term investments                                          143,912       19,803       123,367



              Refundable deposit for investment                               58,953        8,112        72,774



              Deferred tax assets



              Other non-current assets                                        36,865        5,073        36,029



              
                
                  Total non-current assets           268,258       36,914       265,791



              
                
                  Total assets                       420,939       57,924       428,988

    ---




              
                Equities and liabilities



              
                Liabilities



              
                
                  Current liabilities



              Short-term bank borrowing                                        5,000          688         5,000



              Current portion of long-term borrowing                           9,000        1,238         9,500



              Accounts payable                                                18,134        2,495        10,231



              Accrued expenses and other liabilities                          29,085        4,003        35,231



              Income tax payables                                              5,200          716         5,201



              Advances from customers                                          1,299          179         2,537



              Operating lease liabilities-current                              1,811          249         1,750



              Amount due to related parties                                      291           40         5,431



              
                
                  Total current liabilities           69,820        9,608        74,881





              
                
                  Non-current liabilities



              Operating lease liabilities-non-current                          5,054          695         5,980



              
                
                  Total non-current liabilities        5,054          695         5,980



              
                
                  Total liabilities                   74,874       10,303        80,861


                                                                                                         3,507


              
                Commitments and contingencies





              
                Equities



              Ordinary shares (US$0.0000001 par value,


              500,000,000,000 shares
    authorized; 1,243,140 and 3,168,544 issued


              and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and


              June 30, 2024, respectively)



              Additional paid-in capital                                     507,807       69,877       479,400



              Translation reserve                                                                         446



              Accumulated deficit                                          (196,701)    (27,067)    (173,176)



              
                Total equities for controlling shareholders       311,106       42,810       306,670



              Non-controlling interests                                       34,959        4,811        37,950



              
                
                  Total equities                     346,065       47,621       344,620



              
                
                  Total equities and liabilities     420,939       57,924       428,988

    ---

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SOURCE U Power Limited