Lotus Technology Reports Unaudited Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2024 Financial Results

  • Over 7,600 vehicles delivered in the first nine months of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 136%
  • Total revenue reached $653 million, more than doubled year-on-year
  • Revenue of intelligent driving business from customers other than Lotus surged to $11 million with a year-on-year growth of 450%
  • Launched Hyper Hybrid EV technology that provides high-performance with a combined range of over 1,100 kilometers

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lotus Technology Inc. (“Lotus Tech” or the “Company”), a leading global intelligent and luxury mobility provider, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter and first nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Operating Highlights for the First Nine Months of 2024

In the first nine months of 2024, the Company achieved total deliveries1 of 7,617 units, representing a 136% year-on-year (YoY) increase. Global allocation was relatively diversified with each region contributing 18-35% of the total deliveries in the first nine months of 2024, powered by over 200 stores in prime locations worldwide. Europe market continued to expand with a year-on-year increase of 372% in deliveries in the first nine months of 2024. Rest of the World region achieved a year-on-year growth of 110% as the Company continued to make steady progress in its expansion into new markets.

In the third quarter of 2024, the deliveries of Emira commenced in South Africa and India, and of Eletre in Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Eletre Carbon, a high-performance variant tailored for the North America market, was revealed and is expected to commence deliveries in the first half of 2025. Deliveries of bespoke and collection versions of both Eletre (SUV) and Emeya (GT, Sedan) also commenced in the third quarter.

Lotus continues to drive technological innovation to meet market demand. Following the launch of the Theory 1 model which embodies the brand’s future design philosophy, the Company recently revealed Hyper Hybrid EV technology. Beyond upholding Lotus’ legacy of high-performance, the 900V Hyper Hybrid EV technology features industry leading Dual Hyper Charging technology and a combined range of over 1,100 kilometers to provide premium driving experience for the drivers.

Deliveries1 by Model Type

  Jan-Sep, 2024 Jan-Sep, 2023 %Change (YoY)
Lifestyle SUV and Sedan 3,983 1,762 126%
Sportscars 3,634 1,459 149%
Total 7,617 3,221 136%
        

Deliveries1 by Region

  Jan-Sep, 2024 % by region Jan-Sep, 2023 % by region
Europe 2,683 35% 568 18%
China 1,880 25% 1,993 62%
North America 1,665 22%
Rest of the World 1,389 18% 660 20%
Total 7,617 100% 3,221 100%
         

Lotus Robotics, the Company’s intelligent driving arm, has recently entered into an agreement with a top European automaker to deliver intelligent driving solutions for its multiple models in plan. As a result, the total contract value2 for Lotus intelligent driving with customers other than Lotus reached approximately $130 million for Lotus intelligent driving solutions following earlier agreements with multiple auto conglomerates such as Farizon and a top Japanese tier-one supplier.

Recognized revenue of Lotus Robotics
(in millions of U.S. dollars, unaudited)

  Jan-Sep, 2024 Jan-Sep, 2023 %Change (YoY)
Revenue 19 6 217%
from Lotus(A) 8 4 100%
from Other Customers 11 2 450%

(A): Represent subsidiaries of the Company

Financial Highlights for the First Nine Months of 2024

  • Total revenues for the first nine months of 2024 were $653 million, a 105% YoY increase.
  • Sales of goods were $624 million, a 104% YoY increase.
  • Service revenues were $29 million, a 129% YoY increase.
  • Gross margin for the first nine months was 9%, versus 11% in the same period of 2023.
  • Gross margin of sales of goods for the first nine months of 2024 was 7%, versus 10% for the same period of 2023, mainly due to destock.
  • Gross margin of service revenues for the first nine months of 2024 was 55%, versus 28% for the same period of 2023, due to increase of high-margin technology-related income.
  • Operating loss was $598 million for the first nine months of 2024, a 18% YoY increase.
  • Net loss was $667 million for the first nine months of 2024. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) was $633 million for the first nine months of 2024, a 20% YoY increase.
  • Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was a loss of $563 million for the first nine months of 2024, a 16% YoY increase.

Key Financial Results
The table below summarizes key preliminary financial results for the first nine months ended September 30, 2024.
(in millions of U.S. dollars, unaudited)

  Jan-Sep, 2024   Jan-Sep, 2023   % Change (YoY)  
Revenues 653   318   105 %
Cost of revenues 594   284   109 %
Gross profit 59   34   75 %
Gross margin (%) 9 % 11 %  
Operating loss (598 ) (508 ) 18 %
Net loss (667 ) (527 ) 27 %
Adjusted net loss(A) (633 ) (527 ) 20 %
Adjusted EBITDA(A) (563 ) (486 ) 16 %
             

(A) Non-GAAP measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Appendix D – Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP results (Adjusted net loss/Adjusted EBITDA)” for details and a reconciliation of adjusted metrics to the nearest GAAP measure.

Recent Developments

  • Delivery Updates: The Company delivered a total of 8,631 vehicles in the first 10 months of 2024.
  • New Technology Launched: The Company unveiled its “Hyper Hybrid EV technology” on Guangzhou Auto Show. The 900V Hyper Hybrid EV technology features an Hybrid Electric Drivetrain and dual Hyper Charging technology: Ultra-Fast Plug-In Charging and Ultra-Fast On-The-Drive Charging, both with industry leading charging speed. The Hyper Hybrid technology enables high performance, high efficiency and a flexible longer driving distance of over 1,100 kilometer.  
  • Delivery of Urban NOA (Navigate on Autopilot) Service and OTA: The Company started open beta test for urban NOA in key cities in October, 2024, following the launch of highway OTA services. Certain OTA, including highway assistant driving function, has been launched in Europe.
  • Reuters Sustainability Awards 2024 : In October, the Company was awarded the Highly Commends honor at the Reuters Sustainability Awards 2024 in the Business Transformation category as the only awardee from the automotive industry.

CEO and CFO comments
“We continued to deliver strong operational growth, with total deliveries of 7,617 units in the first nine months of 2024, up by 136% year-on-year, driven by the European market,” said Mr. Qingfeng Feng, Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to see significant progress in our intelligent driving business across the world with revenue of the business from customers other than Lotus surged to $11 million with a year-on-year growth of 450%, contributing about 2% of total revenue. We also launched Hyper Hybrid EV technology, in line with evolving market demands. We remain committed in executing ‘Win26’ Plan to drive efficiency and competitiveness, delivering sustainable value for our shareholders and investors.”

“We have made continual improvement and streamlined our operations to drive efficiency, and resource optimization and achieve operating expenses reduction for four consecutive quarters,” said Mr. Alexious Lee, Chief Financial Officer. “While gross margin for the first nine months of 2024 was 9%, shrinking 2 percentage points compared to the same period of 2023 due to proactive management of our inventory in response to trade protectionism, inflation impact and macroeconomic uncertainties, high margin intelligent driving business have secured $130 million of total contract value to boost future growth. We are committed to advancing the ‘Win26’ Plan target to continuously improve profitability and create long-term value.”

Operating and Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2024

  • Total deliveries1 for the third quarter of 2024 were 2,744 units, a 54% YoY increase.
  • Total revenues for the third quarter of 2024 were $255 million, a 36% YoY increase.
  • Gross margin for the third quarter of 2024 was 3%, versus 15% for the same period of 2023.
  • Operating loss for the third quarter of 2024 was $160 million, narrowed by 2% compared with same period of 2023.
  • Net loss for the third quarter was $206 million, a 19% YoY increase.
  • Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was a loss of $182 million for the third quarter of 2024, a 18% YoY increase.

Deliveries1 by Model Type

  3Q 2024 3Q 2023 % Change (YoY)
Lifestyle SUV and Sedan 1,594 891 79%
Sportscars 1,150 891 30%
Total 2,744 1,782 54%
       

Key Financial Results
The table below summarizes key preliminary financial results for the third quarter in 2024.
(in millions of U.S. dollars, unaudited)

  3Q 2024   3Q 2023   %Change(YoY)  
Revenues 255   188   36 %
Cost of Revenues 247   160   54 %
Gross profit 8   28   (70 %)
Gross margin (%) 3 % 15 %  
Operating loss (160 ) (163 ) (2 %)
Net loss (206 ) (174 ) 19 %
Adjusted net loss(A) (209 ) (174 ) 20 %
Adjusted EBITDA(A) (182 ) (154 ) 18 %
             

(A) Non-GAAP measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Appendix D – Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP results (Adjusted net loss/Adjusted EBITDA)” for details and a reconciliation of adjusted metrics to the nearest GAAP measure.

Conference call
Lotus Tech management will host an earnings conference call at 7:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 21 2024 (13:00 Central European Time / 20:00 China Standard Time on the same day).

There will be a live audio webcast and replay available following completion of the call on the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.group-lotus.com/.

For participants who wish to join the call, please complete online registration prior to the scheduled call start time using the link provided below. Upon registration, participants will receive a confirmation email with conference call access information, including dial-in numbers and a unique PIN. Participant online registration link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI46e1ce34cf354ab39173629030b38f03

Note 1: Invoiced deliveries, including commissioned deliveries in US market.
Note 2: The amount includes payable depending on future sales volume and is therefore an estimate in nature and subject to changes.

About Lotus Technology Inc.
Lotus Technology Inc. has operations across the UK, the EU and China. The Company is dedicated to delivering luxury lifestyle battery electric vehicles, with a focus on world-class R&D in next-generation automobility technologies such as electrification, digitalisation and more. For more information about Lotus Technology Inc., please visit www.group-lotus.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted net loss and adjusted EBITDA in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Adjusted net loss represents net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses, and such adjustment has no impact on income tax. Lotus Tech defines adjusted EBITDA as net loss excluding interest income, interest expense, income tax expenses, depreciation of property, equipment and software, and share-based compensation expenses. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in its business and enhance the overall understanding of the Company’s past performance and future prospects. The Company also believes that non-GAAP financial measures allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the Company’s management in its financial and operational decision-making.

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Non-GAAP financial measures are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP methods of accounting and reporting used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and when assessing the Company’s operating performance, investors should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. The Company mitigates these limitations by reconciling non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measures, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company’s performance. For more information on non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Appendix C – Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results (Adjusted net loss/Adjusted EBITDA)” set forth at the end of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential”, “forecast”, “plan”, “seek”, “future”, “propose” or “continue”, or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology although not all forward-looking statements contain such terminology. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including those identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Lotus Tech undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Contact Information
For investor inquiries
[email protected]

Appendix A

Lotus Technology Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(All amounts in thousands)

    As of
  September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    US$   US$
ASSETS        
Current assets        
Cash   191,300   418,941
Restricted cash   465,064   7,873
Accounts receivable – third parties, net   94,503   76,664
Accounts receivable – related parties, net   56,638   22,430
Inventories   320,834   265,190
Prepayments and other current assets – third parties, net   107,905   63,870
Prepayments and other current assets – related parties, net   57,716   28,744
         
Total current assets   1,293,960   883,712
         
Non-current assets        
Restricted cash   1,542   321
Investment securities – related parties   2,011   3,326
Securities pledged to an investor   318,398  
Loan receivable from a related party   280,808  
Property, equipment and software, net   347,751   354,617
Intangible assets   116,520   116,360
Operating lease right-of-use assets   149,079   173,103
Other non-current assets – third parties   74,420   50,533
Other non-current assets – related parties   2,735   2,706
         
Total non-current assets   1,293,264   700,966
         
Total assets   2,587,224   1,584,678
         
         

Lotus Technology Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Con’d)

(All amounts in thousands)

    As of
  September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    US$   US$
LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT        
Current liabilities        
Short-term borrowings – third parties   703,130   226,772
Accounts payable – third parties   56,425   20,123
Accounts payable – related parties   492,599   340,419
Contract liabilities – third parties   48,390   44,184
Operating lease liabilities – third parties   12,423   16,760
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities – third parties   366,762   419,422
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities – related parties   231,067   290,686
Exchangeable notes     378,638
Mandatorily redeemable ordinary shares   105,440  
Convertible notes – related parties   113,701  
Convertible notes – third parties     20,277
Put option liabilities – related parties   18  
         
Total current liabilities   2,129,955   1,757,281
         
Non-current liabilities        
Contract liabilities – third parties   7,645   6,245
Operating lease liabilities – third parties   72,295   91,929
Operating lease liabilities – related parties   11,648   12,064
Put option liabilities – third parties   135,864  
Put option liabilities – related parties     11,884
Warrant Liabilities   4,489  
Exchangeable notes   107,423   75,678
Convertible notes – third parties   78,009   81,635
Deferred income   301,541   270,097
Other non-current liabilities – third parties   114,348   103,403
Other non-current liabilities – related parties   1,580   1,634
         
Total non-current liabilities   834,842   654,569
         
Total liabilities   2,964,797   2,411,850
         
         

Lotus Technology Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (con’d)

(All amounts in thousands)

    As of
  September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    US$   US$
MEZZANINE EQUITY        
Series Pre-A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares       184,509  
Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares       199,021  
         
Total mezzanine equity       383,530  
         
         
SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT        
Ordinary shares   7     21  
Additional paid-in capital   1,857,225     358,187  
Accumulated other comprehensive income   25,615     25,267  
Accumulated deficit   (2,253,891 )   (1,588,773 )
         
Total shareholders’ deficit attributable to ordinary shareholders   (371,044 )   (1,205,298 )
Noncontrolling interests   (6,529 )   (5,404 )
Total shareholders’ deficit   (377,573 )   (1,210,702 )
         
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ deficit   2,587,224     1,584,678  
       
       

Appendix B

Lotus Technology Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive loss

(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share)

    For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2024     2023  
    US$   US$
Revenues:        
Sales of goods   624,249     305,480  
Service revenues   28,574     12,461  
Total revenues   652,823     317,941  
Cost of revenues:        
Cost of goods sold   (580,820 )   (275,246 )
Cost of services   (12,888 )   (8,947 )
Total cost of revenues   (593,708 )   (284,193 )
Gross profit   59,115     33,748  
Operating expenses:        
Research and development expenses   (227,525 )   (234,547 )
Selling and marketing expenses   (259,804 )   (191,231 )
General and administrative expenses   (175,342 )   (118,203 )
Government grants   5,811     2,357  
Total operating expenses   (656,860 )   (541,624 )
Operating loss   (597,745 )   (507,876 )
Interest expenses   (20,557 )   (7,367 )
Interest income   15,276     7,258  
Investment income (loss), net   10,799     (1,309 )
Share of results of equity method investments   (39 )   (648 )
Foreign currency exchange gains, net   14,963     883  
Changes in fair values of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest, exchangeable notes and convertible notes, excluding impact of instrument-specific credit risk   3,917     (15,395 )
Changes in fair values of warrant liabilities   7,377      
Changes in fair values of put option liabilities   (99,356 )   (720 )
Loss before income taxes   (665,365 )   (525,174 )
Income tax expense   (1,155 )   (1,350 )
Net loss   (666,520 )   (526,524 )
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   (1,402 )   (7,651 )
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders   (665,118 )   (518,873 )
Accretion of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares   (2,979 )   (5,063 )
Net loss available to ordinary shareholders   (668,097 )   (523,936 )
Loss per ordinary share1        
—Basic and diluted   (1.05 )   (1.10 )
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding used in computing net loss per ordinary share1        
—Basic and diluted   636,737,124     474,621,603  
             

1 Shares outstanding for all periods reflect the adjustment for recapitalization upon the consummation of merger transaction in February 2024.

Lotus Technology Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive loss (cont’d)

(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share)

    For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2024     2023  
    US$   US$
Net loss   (666,520 )   (526,524 )
         
Other comprehensive income:        
Fair value changes of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest, exchangeable notes and convertible notes due to instrument-specific credit risk, net of nil income taxes   230     (585 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil income taxes   118     24,077  
         
Total other comprehensive income   348     23,492  
         
Total comprehensive loss   (666,172 )   (503,032 )
Less: Total comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   (1,402 )   (7,587 )
Total comprehensive loss attributable to ordinary shareholders   (664,770 )   (495,445 )
         
         

Appendix C
Lotus Technology Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive loss

(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share)

    Three Months Ended
    September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
    US$   US$
Revenues:        
Sales of goods   241,356     180,626  
Service revenues   13,352     7,280  
Total revenues   254,708     187,906  
Cost of revenues:        
Cost of goods sold   (239,938 )   (155,689 )
Cost of services   (6,567 )   (4,596 )
Total cost of revenues   (246,505 )   (160,285 )
Gross profit   8,203     27,621  
Operating expenses:        
Research and development expenses   (52,671 )   (81,999 )
Selling and marketing expenses   (55,530 )   (72,995 )
General and administrative expenses   (63,364 )   (37,786 )
Government grants   3,323     1,695  
Total operating expenses   (168,242 )   (191,085 )
Operating loss   (160,039 )   (163,464 )
Interest expenses   (8,849 )   (3,897 )
Interest income   6,618     1,410  
Investment income (loss), net   7,303     (4,079 )
Share of results of equity method investments   (398 )   (22 )
Foreign currency exchange gains, net   19,392     4,502  
Changes in fair values of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest, exchangeable notes and convertible notes, excluding impact of instrument-specific credit risk   (4,884 )   (2,637 )
Changes in fair values of warrant liabilities   1,060      
Changes in fair values of put option liabilities   (65,671 )   (4,027 )
Loss before income taxes   (205,468 )   (172,214 )
Income tax expense   (800 )   (1,368 )
Net loss   (206,268 )   (173,582 )
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   (469 )   (1,872 )
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders   (205,799 )   (171,710 )
Accretion of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares       (4,805 )
Net loss available to ordinary shareholders   (205,799 )   (176,515 )
Loss per ordinary share1        
—Basic and diluted   (0.30 )   (0.37 )
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding used in computing net loss per ordinary share1        
—Basic and diluted   675,897,690     474,621,603  
             

1 Shares outstanding for all periods reflect the adjustment for recapitalization upon the consummation of merger transaction in February 2024.

Lotus Technology Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive loss (con’d)

(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share)

    Three Months Ended
    September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
    US$   US$
Net loss   (206,268 )   (173,582 )
         
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Fair value changes of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest, exchangeable notes and convertible notes due to instrument-specific credit risk, net of nil income taxes   631     974  
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil income taxes   (294 )   (10,486 )
         
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   337     (9,512 )
         
Total comprehensive loss   (205,931 )   (183,094 )
Less: Total comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   (469 )   (1,998 )
Total comprehensive loss attributable to ordinary shareholders   (205,462 )   (181,096 )
             

Appendix D
Lotus Technology Inc.
Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP results (Adjusted net loss/Adjusted EBITDA)

(All amounts in thousands)

    For Nine Months Ended
    September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
    US$   US$
Net loss   (666,520 )   (526,524 )
Share-based compensation expenses, net of tax effect of nil1   33,565      
Adjusted net loss   (632,955 )   (526,524 )
Net loss   (666,520 )   (526,524 )
Interest expenses   20,557     7,367  
Interest income   (15,276 )   (7,258 )
Income tax expense   1,155     1,350  
Share-based compensation expenses   33,565      
Depreciation   63,153     38,650  
Adjusted EBITDA   (563,366 )   (486,415 )
             

  Three Months Ended
  September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
  US$   US$
Net loss (206,268 )   (173,582 )
Share-based compensation expenses, net of tax effect of nil1 (2,329 )    
Adjusted net loss (208,597 )   (173,582 )
Net loss (206,268 )   (173,582 )
Interest expenses 8,849     3,897  
Interest income (6,618 )   (1,410 )
Income tax expense 800     1,368  
Share-based compensation expenses (2,329 )    
Depreciation 23,867     16,009  
Adjusted EBITDA (181,699 )   (153,718 )
           

1 Share-based compensation expenses were non-deductible expenses in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions. Therefore, there is no tax impact for share-based compensation expenses adjustment for non-GAAP financial measures.