HANGZHOU, China, June 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited ("ZEEKR" or the "Company") (NYSE:ZK), a fast-growing intelligent battery electric vehicle ("BEV") technology company, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. Operating Highlights for the First Quarter of 2024 Total vehicle deliveries were 33,059 units for the first quarter of 2024, representing a 117% year-over-year increase. Deliveries 2024 Q1 2023 Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Q2 33,059 39,657 36,395 27,399 Deliveries 2023 Q1 2022 Q4 2022 Q3 2022 Q2 15,234 32,467 20,464 10,769 Financial Highlights for the First Quarter of 2024 Vehicle sales were RMB8,174.1 million (US$1,132.1 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 73.0% from the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 22.8% from the fourth quarter of 2023. Vehicle margin was 14.0% for the first quarter of 2024, compared with 10.1% for the first quarter of 2023 and 15.3% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Total revenues were RMB14,736.8 million (US$2,041.0 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 71.0% from the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 9.9% from the fourth quarter of 2023. Gross profit was RMB1,739.4 million (US$240.9 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 154.9% from the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 25.3% from the fourth quarter of 2023. Gross margin was 11.8% for the first quarter of 2024, compared with 7.9% for the first quarter of 2023 and 14.2% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Loss from operations was RMB2,086.9 million (US$289.0 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 11.2% from the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 29.3% from the fourth quarter of 2023. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted loss from operations (non-GAAP) was RMB2,084.2 million (US$288.7 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 10.0% from the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 28.5% from the fourth quarter of 2023. Net loss was RMB2,022.1 million (US$280.1 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 18.0% from the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 31.2% from the fourth quarter of 2023. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) was RMB2,019.4 million (US$279.7 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 17.0% from the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 30.4% from the fourth quarter of 2023. Key Financial Results (in RMB millions, except for percentages)  2024 Q1 2023 Q4 2023 Q1 % Change i YoY QoQ Vehicle sales 8,174.1 10,592.6 4,725.2 73.0 % (22.8) % Vehicle margin 14.0 % 15.3 % 10.1 % 3.9 % (1.3) % Total revenues 14,736.8 16,357.9 8,620.4 71.0 % (9.9) % Gross profit 1,739.4 2,328.3 682.5 154.9 % (25.3) % Gross margin 11.8 % 14.2 % 7.9 % 3.9 % (2.4) % Loss from operations (2,086.9) (2,950.1) (2,349.2) (11.2) % (29.3) % Non-GAAP loss from operations (2,084.2) (2,914.8) (2,316.5) (10.0) % (28.5) % Net loss (2,022.1) (2,937.9) (2,465.4) (18.0) % (31.2) % Non-GAAP net loss (2,019.4) (2,902.6) (2,432.6) (17.0) % (30.4) % i Except for vehicle margin and gross margin, where absolute changes instead of percentage changes  are presented Recent Developments Delivery Updates In April 2024, the Company delivered 16,089 vehicles, representing an increase of 99% from April 2023. In May 2024, the Company delivered 18,616 vehicles, representing an increase of 115% from May 2023. New Model Launches In February 2024, the Company launched the all-new ZEEKR 001 2024 model, a five-seater, cross-over shooting brake, and started deliveries in March 2024. In April 2024, the Company launched the ZEEKR 009 Grand, a deluxe version of the ZEEKR 009, and started deliveries in May 2024. CEO and CFO Comments "We started our journey as a public company on a strong note with an excellent operational and financial performance for the first quarter of 2024," said Mr. Andy An, ZEEKR's chief executive officer. "First quarter deliveries soared to 33,059 vehicles, up 117% year-over-year to reach a new quarterly record high and propelling our progress toward our full-year goal of 230,000 vehicles. This sustained growth in deliveries also secured our position as the best-selling brand in the battery electric vehicle market segment priced over RMB200,000 in China. With multiple groundbreakings, feature-rich models in our production pipeline, ZEEKR continues to redefine the ultimate in handling, performance, innovation and luxury. Going forward, we will continue to push the boundaries of intelligent and autonomous technology, build out our ultra-fast charging ecosystem and expand our channel services, boosting our competitiveness on all fronts. Given these strengths and the strategic advantages and synergies we derive from our parent company, Geely Group, ZEEKR is well-positioned to drive sustainable, global growth." "We delivered robust results across the board for the first quarter of 2024, with total revenues rising by 71.0% and gross profit surging by 154.9% year-over-year," added Mr. Jing Yuan, chief financial officer of ZEEKR. "Vehicle margin also increased, up by 3.9 percentage points year-over-year thanks to effective procurement cost control. Our successful initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in May significantly strengthened our balance sheet, setting the stage for our long-term development. We remain confident that our solid financial position and growing competitiveness will empower us to deliver long-term value to our shareholders and global stakeholders." Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2024 Revenues Total revenues were RMB14,736.8 million (US$2,041.0 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 71.0% from RMB8,620.4 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 9.9% from RMB16,357.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Revenues from vehicle sales were RMB8,174.1 million (US$1,132.1 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 73.0% from RMB4,725.2 million for the first quarter of 2023, and a decrease of 22.8% from RMB10,592.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase was due to the increased sales volume of ZEEKR vehicles. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was due to seasonality that impacted our delivery volume, as well as the lower average selling price primarily caused by the change in our product mix. Revenues from sales of batteries and other components were RMB6,318.5 million (US$875.1 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 82.0% from RMB3,471.5 million for the first quarter of 2023 and an increase of 56.5% from RMB4,038.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter increases were mainly attributable to the increasing sales volume of battery packs and electric drives, as well as the growth of battery components overseas. Revenues from research and development service and other services were RMB244.1 million (US$33.8 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 42.4% from RMB423.7 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 85.9% from RMB1,727.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter decreases were mainly due to the decreased sales of research and development services and out-licensed technologies to related parties. Cost of Revenues and Gross Margin Cost of revenues was RMB12,997.4 million (US$1,800.1 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 63.7% from RMB7,937.9 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 7.4% from RMB14,029.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Gross profit was RMB1,739.4 million (US$240.9 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 154.9% from RMB682.5 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 25.3% from RMB2,328.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Gross margin was 11.8% for the first quarter of 2024, compared with 7.9% for the first quarter of 2023 and 14.2% for the fourth quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase was mainly attributable to the increase in vehicle margin. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to the decrease in vehicle margin as well as the increase in the percentage of revenues from sales of batteries and other components, which has a lower gross margin than vehicle sales. Vehicle margin was 14.0% for the first quarter of 2024, compared with 10.1% for the first quarter of 2023 and 15.3% for the fourth quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributed to procurement savings as the cost of auto parts and materials decreased. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to the delivery of new vehicle models as well as the change in product mix. Operating Expenses Research and development expenses were RMB1,925.3 million (US$266.6 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 6.7% from RMB1,805.1 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 39.1% from RMB3,162.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase was attributable to increased employee compensation as a result of our growing number of staff as well as increased expenses to support our expanding product portfolios and intelligent technologies. The quarter-over-quarter decrease reflected fluctuations due to different design and development stages of new products and technologies. Selling, general and administrative expenses were RMB1,951.5 million (US$270.3 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 51.9% from RMB1,284.4 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 11.6% from RMB2,207.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase was due to increased employee compensation as a result of our growing number of staff as well as increased marketing and promotional activities for ZEEKR vehicles in China and overseas, and an increase in rental and related expenses due to the expansion of our offline channel. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to decreased marketing and promotional activities. Loss from Operations Loss from operations was RMB2,086.9 million (US$289.0 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 11.2% from RMB2,349.2 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 29.3% from RMB2,950.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP loss from operations, which excludes share-based compensation expenses, was RMB2,084.2 million (US$288.7 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 10.0% from RMB2,316.5 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 28.5% from RMB2,914.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net Loss and Net Loss Per Share Net loss was RMB2,022.1 million (US$280.1 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 18.0% from RMB2,465.4 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 31.2% from RMB2,937.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP net loss, which excludes share-based compensation expenses, was RMB2,019.4 million (US$279.7 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 17.0% from RMB2,432.6 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 30.4% from RMB2,902.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of ZEEKR was RMB2,014.3 million (US$279.0 million) for the first quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 15.9% from RMB2,394.3 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 32.6% from RMB2,986.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.