In February 2024, the company halted production for 6 months.[4][5][6]
History
HiPhi 1, the prototype of HiPhi X, HiPhi's first model
Founded in 2017, Human Horizons’ Operations and R&D Center is in Pujiang, Shanghai, China. In 2019 Human Horizons signed a co-operative manufacturing agreement with the Yueda Group, Dongfeng Yueda Kia (DYK) to produce HiPhi's range of vehicles at its manufacturing facility in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, China.[7]
Its first production car, the HiPhi X, an electric full-sized crossover SUV, went on sale in China in October 2020 with deliveries to customers commencing in May 2021. Its second production model, the HiPhi Z, is a 5-door luxury GT based on the same platform as the HiPhi X. The X was first shown in pre-production form in November 2021, with the production car shown in August 2022 at the Chengdu Motor Show. Customer deliveries commenced early in 2023 after the first production cars rolled off the production line in December 2022.
April 2023 saw HiPhi reveal its third production model, the HiPhi Y. The new medium-sized electric SUV was shown at the Shanghai International Show.[8]
Human Horizons and HiPhi have a Qingdao Headquarters,[clarification needed] a Software Center and HiPhi Software Company in Jinjiang District, Chengdu, and an Advanced Technology Research and Design Center in Tokyo, Japan. HiPhi operates a network of ‘HiPhi Hubs’ covering all the major cities in China.
At the 2023 Shanghai International Show during the reveal of the HiPhi Y Human Horizons announced the opening of Operations Centers in both Munich, Germany, and Oslo, Norway, these spearheading the company's introduction into the European marketplace.[9]
On February 18, 2024, HiPhi announced a 6-month suspension of work and production. In May of the same year, some media reported that HiPhi had received support from the American company i Group Inc. and was about to resume work and production.[10]
HiPhi's factory in Yancheng
Key people
Human Horizons and HiPhi was founded by its chairman and CEO, Ding (David) Lei, a former CEO of Shanghai General Motors and Vice President of SAIC-GM (Shanghai motive Industry Cooperation). Lei highlights the concept of space and time as key influences in the creation of the HiPhi brand. The HiPhi company logo represents space when viewed horizontally from left to right, with the vertical element of the logo characterising time.
Other key people in the Human Horizons leadership team include President Ken Weisman, Chief Technical Officer Mark Stanton, co-Chief Technical Officer Jun Chen, Chief Financial Officer Simon Tang and VP of Design Nicolas Huet.[11]
Early concepts
In October 2018, Human Horizons presented a pair of concept vehicles, the HiPhi H (Hypervelocity) and Concept A (Agility). A further concept, named Concept U (Ultimate Mobility) followed in 2019, as did the HiPhi 1 concept – this previewing the HiPhi X production car.
Concept H (Hyper-velocity - 2018) demonstrated a premium sports model with three seats arranged in a 2+1 layout (two in the front with one passenger in the rear) as a result of its teardrop-like aerodynamically efficient body design. Notable technology included four individual wheel hub motors powered by a battery pack which HiPhi claimed gave a potential range of 621 miles (1000km), The Concept H also featured a reconfigurable cockpit and active wheel air covers to smooth the airflow around the wheels.[12]
Concept A (Active Agility – 2018) is a POD system travel capsule which connects with various travel systems to form different modes of transportation – these include land, rail, monorail, sea and air travel.
Concept U (Ultimate Mobility - 2019) is a larger development of the Concept H, with additional seating.[13]
Human Horizons also demonstrated the potential of its experimental hub motor technology in 2018, showing its engineering vehicle RE05 which uses advanced in-wheel hub motors for propulsion as well as steering.
HiPhi Concept 1 unveiled in July 2019, the HiPhi 1 was essentially a preview of HiPhi's first production model, the HiPhi X.[14]
Production cars
Most of HiPhi's models before the suspension of production were produced at the Yancheng plant with Yueda Kia qualifications; some models were produced by the former BAIC New Energy Laixi plant Body in white, then transported to Yancheng factory for final assembly.[15]
HiPhi A: Limited edition luxury sports car based on HiPhi Z
HiPhi X
HiPhi Z
HiPhi Y
HiPhi A
Business Crisis
On February 7, 2024, HiPhi held an employee meeting and announced that the company would not be able to pay January wages on time, cancel the 2023 year-end bonus, and suggested that employees find their own way out. HiPhi responded that the company is taking measures such as reducing executive salaries and delaying salary payments to cope with internal and external challenges.[16]
On February 18, 2024, the first working day after the Spring Festival holiday, HiPhi mobile held another internal meeting and announced that it would suspend production for 6 months from now on.[17] The media quoted internal employee reports as saying that employees' wages before February 18 will be paid as usual. Employees who remained at HiPhi mobile before March 15 will only be paid 70% of their wages. After March 15, only the local Minimum wage Standard payment will be paid;[18] Employees cannot use their cards to enter the headquarters in Shanghai Pujiang and the factory in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu,[19] A large number of outsourced workers were also laid off.[20] HiPhi only briefly responded to media inquiries, saying that the suspension of work and salary cuts were not true; Caixin Media reported that some local government shareholders asked HiPhi not to disclose the suspension information to the outside world for the time being.[21]
On February 22, 2024, HiPhi's Chairman Ding Lei appeared at the Shanghai headquarters to communicate with some of the remaining employees. He apologized to the employees for the strategic misjudgment that led to the company's suspension of work and production, and said that he would strive for restructuring and cooperation to "revive" the company.[22] HiPhi issued a statement on the same day, admitting that the company has made major adjustments to its daily operations and is currently taking all possible measures to alleviate its difficulties. HiPhi said it will prioritize and strive to ensure user service operations, vehicle after-sales maintenance, and other work, and will work with Yueda Group's subsidiaries to provide vehicle after-sales services; at the same time, it will coordinate resources to maintain HiPhi vehicle after-sales services, maintenance of vehicle networking related functions, and the use of HiPhi App's vehicle control functions and community sections. However, charging-related services and surrounding shopping malls will be temporarily suspended.[23]
After HiPhi announced the suspension of work and production, a large number of its directly-operated stores were closed. Although some dealer franchise stores were open, they were limited to selling inventory vehicles; HiPhi's video account was also changed to Livestreaming with goods. To raise funds needed to maintain after-sales service[24] Some prospective car owners who ordered cars before the Spring Festival were unable to receive cars due to the factory shutdown, but HiPhi was unable to refund the deposits for the cars; some employees also said they had not received their wages for January and February.[25]
According to media reports, HiPhi received $1 billion in financing from i Group Inc on May 16, 2024, and its parent company Human Horizons also signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with i. HiPhi is expected to resume work and production in the near future. According to public information, the actual controller of i is Yang Rong, Chairman of Hyper-Path Group and founder of Brilliance Group.[26]
In May 2024, HiPhi's parent company Human Horizons Holdings (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. was listed as a "dishonest person subject to enforcement", and Ding Lei was repeatedly restricted from high consumption; several affiliated companies of Human Horizons were also included in the list of abnormal operations.[27] On August 8 of the same year, the People's Court of Yancheng Economic Development Zone accepted the bankruptcy pre-reorganization application filed by Human Horizons (Jiangsu) Technology Co., Ltd.[28][29]
On August 19, 2024, six months after the previous suspension of work and production, HiPhi announced that it would gradually resume the supply of spare parts to after-sales service centers and cooperative outlets, and authorized Yueda's subsidiaries to purchase HiPhi auto parts to support after-sales service.[30]
Huachen Automotive Group Holdings Co. Ltd., known for its brand name Brilliance Auto Group, was a Chinese multinational automobile manufacturer holding company headquartered in Shenyang. Its products include automobiles, microvans, and automotive components. Its principal activity is the design, development, manufacture and sale of passenger cars sold under the Brilliance brand.
Jiangsu Yueda Kia Motors Co., Ltd. is an automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Yancheng, China and a joint venture between Jiangsu Yueda Group and Kia. The company was formerly known as Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motors Co., Ltd. until Dongfeng withdrew from the joint venture in late 2021.
Bestune, formerly known as Besturn, is an automotive marque owned by the Chinese automaker FAW Group.
Geely Automobile Holdings Limited, also commonly known as Geely Auto is a publicly traded automotive company predominantly owned by the Zhejiang Geely Holding (ZGH) group. It owns the eponymous Geely Auto brand and partly owns Lynk & Co, Proton Cars and Zeekr brands. The company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Dongfeng Motor Corporation Ltd. is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Wuhan, Hubei. Founded in 1969, it is currently the smallest of the "Big Four" state-owned car manufacturers of China with 671,000 sales in 2023, below SAIC Motor, Changan Automobile and FAW Group.
James C. Shyr (石志傑/杰) is a Chinese-American automotive designer widely known for his design contributions to the first and second generation Buick LaCrosse.
Seres is a brand of electric vehicle marketed by Seres Group. Several of the group's subsidiaries are also named "Seres".
The SWM brand was founded in Milan, Italy in 1971. In 2014, SWM Automobile was acquired by Xinyuan Holdings Co., Ltd. in Chongqing, China. On July 27, 2016, the SWM brand was officially launched in Beijing, China. In July 2016, the SWM brand was launched in Beijing and officially entered the passenger car market. SWM Automobile has a design center in Milan, Italy, and a manufacturing base in Chongqing, China. From 2016 to 2022, SWM Automobile has launched a number of SUV models. With the rise of new energy technologies, SWM Automobile has begun to transform into new energy vehicles, including hybrid and pure electric models.
Horki is a former Chinese manufacturer of electric passenger cars based in Yancheng, operating in the years 2013–2019. It belonged to a Sino-South Korean joint venture between Dongfeng Motor and Kia Motors.
Leahead was an electric car sub brand by GAC Toyota, a joint venture between GAC Group and Toyota Motor Corporation, founded in 2014.
Hozon Auto is a Chinese electric car manufacturer which was established in 2014. It produces vehicles under the Neta brand.
The HiPhi X is a battery electric full-sized luxury SUV produced by Human Horizons under the HiPhi brand. It is available in either four or six-seater configurations.
Ding Lei is a Chinese automotive industry businessman. He is the founder of Shanghai-based electric vehicle companies Human Horizons and HiPhi.
Human Horizons Technology is a Chinese electric car manufacturer company based in Shanghai that makes electric cars under the HiPhi brand. It operates its production and assembly smart plant in Yancheng, Jiangsu, and its parts boutique prototype factory in Jinqiao, Shanghai.
Hycan Automobile Technology is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Guangzhou, China.
Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., Ltd., trading as Leapmotor, is a Chinese startup automobile manufacturer headquartered in Hangzhou, China, specializing in developing electric vehicles. The company was founded in 2015, and sold its first vehicles in 2019. In 2023, Stellantis acquired 20 percent stake of Leapmotor, and plans to sell Leapmotor vehicles in Europe.
IM Motors is an electric vehicle joint venture between Chinese automobile manufacturer SAIC Motor and Chinese technology companies Zhangjiang Hi-Tech and Alibaba Group.
The HiPhi Z is a battery electric five-door shooting brake car from Chinese car manufacturer HiPhi. The vehicle was first presented as a concept in China in November 2021. The car is sold alongside the HiPhi X, an SUV that shares much of its electric platform with the HiPhi Z.
Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd, or trade as "Yinwang" is a company of Huawei which specialized in providing parts and hardware and software solutions for automotive manufacturers. The company was formerly known as Huawei Intelligent Automotive Solution, the automobile business unit of Huawei.
↑ 李嫒嫒 (8 February 2024). "工资缓发，高管主动降薪？高合汽车回应"[Salaries delayed, executives voluntarily cut salaries? HiPhi Auto responds]. 中国证券报 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 8 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
↑ "刚复工就停产！一新能源车企宣布停工6个月"[Production stopped just after resuming work! A new energy vehicle company announced a 6-month suspension of work]. 中国经营报 (in Chinese). 18 February 2024. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024– via 新浪新闻.
↑ 刘雪玉 (18 February 2024). "高合汽车员工：今起工厂不能进入"[HiPhi Auto employees: No one can enter the factory from today]. 中新经纬 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
↑ 黄辛旭 (21 February 2024). 直击高合盐城工厂丨比亚迪、理想现场面试“挖人”！代理厂长：丁磊人在上海，还在想办法[Direct visit to HiPhi Yancheng Factory | BYD and Ideal on-site interview to "poach" people! Acting factory director: Ding Lei is in Shanghai and is still trying to find a solution]. 每日经济新闻 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
↑ 魏文 (19 February 2024). "独家｜高合汽车今日遣散工厂部分外包员工"[Exclusive | HiPhi Auto dismissed some outsourced employees at the factory today]. 第一财经 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
↑ 安丽敏 (18 February 2024). "高合汽车内部宣布停工六个月 官方否认"[HiPhi Automotive internally announces six-month shutdown, official denies]. 财新 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
↑ 吴遇利 (23 February 2024). 3个月“抢救期”！高合汽车丁磊反思停产危机，高管直播恳求再给一些时间[3-month "rescue period"! Gaohe Auto's Ding Lei reflects on the crisis of suspension of production, and executives plead for more time in a live broadcast]. 澎湃新闻 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
↑ 肖逸思 (22 February 2024). "停工停产风波后，高合正式回应了". 第一财经. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
↑ 田子木 (15 March 2024). "一线｜高合倒下后：员工无薪留守，车主凑不到人维权"[Frontline｜After HiPhi collapsed: Employees stayed without pay, car owners could not gather together to defend their rights]. 银柿财经 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
↑ 郑植文 (17 May 2024). 21独家｜高合迎来“白衣骑士”iAuto，幕后金主仰融浮出水面[21 Exclusive｜HiPhi welcomes "white knight" iAuto, and the behind-the-scenes financier Yang Rong surfaces]. 21世纪经济报道 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
↑ 李旖露 (9 August 2024). 华人运通预重整申请获受理，高合汽车再进“复活赛”？丨大公司[Human Horizons' pre-reorganization application is accepted. Is HiPhi Auto in the "revival match" again? | Big Company]. 读特新闻 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
↑ 周姝祺 (9 August 2024). "高合汽车关联公司进入预重整阶段，起死回生才刚刚开始"[HiPhi's affiliated companies have entered the pre-reorganization stage, and their comeback has just begun]. 界面新闻 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
↑ 周盛明 (12 August 2024). "神秘投资方、破产预重整：高合的求生之路仍在继续"[Mysterious investors, pre-bankruptcy reorganization: HiPhi's road to survival continues]. 观察者网 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024– via 新浪财经.
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