Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, everyone. Thank you for joining Lotus Tech's presentation at DBIC conference. Lotus Tech is a luxury and intelligent car provider, operates under iconic Lotus brand. We are listed on Nasdaq with ticker of LOT. I'm Jessica Wu, IR at Lotus Tech. I'm honoured to introduce company management with us today, CFO Alexious Lee. On today's call, we will start with prepared remarks, following by Q&A session. Before we continue, please be reminded that today's discussion will contain forward-looking statements pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 . Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. As such, the company's actual results may be materially different from the views expressed today. Further information regarding risks and uncertainties is included in relevant filings of Lotus Tech with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. With that, I'd like to turn the call over to our CFO, Alexious, for the presentation. Alexious.
Thank you, Jessica. Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, everyone. My name is Alexious Lee, and I'm the CFO for Lotus Technology that's listed in Nasdaq. Our ticker is LOT, as what Jessica has previously stated. We are in the business of excitement and passionate driving, and Lotus has been around for the last 76 years. For most of you who have understand and heard about the brand, we have been around winning championship races in almost 81 occurrences, and this has been great accolades for the brands, with more than 100 millions of fans who have been passions of F1 racing and the British heritage. Now, since 2018 , which is the 70 anniversary of Lotus, our Vision 80 strategy for the next 10 years was actually forged.
We will undergo a transformation to make sure that we are not just a sports car, traditional luxury brand, but an evolution towards the broader luxury, intelligent vehicle mobility provider. What does this mean? It means that we are going to expand our product portfolio to include lifestyle vehicles, like the likes of SUV and sedan. At the same time, to offer electrification on digitalized and smartified cars. So this will actually broaden our product portfolio and our total addressable market. Let me give a quick introduction about our sales mix in the H1 of this year. If you take a look at where we are, nearly 50% of the sales are actually new product models, which include our SUV and the sedan, which are named Eletre and Emeya, accordingly.
The other 50% over is actually the traditional sports car that has blossomed rapidly. Now, this has been a big jump as compared to how the sales volume is looking at, given that our H1 sales volume is just below 5,000 units. A massive jump as compared to 2023 H1, and especially against the full year of less than 1,000 units in 2022. While the brand becomes bigger, our sports car sales volume are also increasing from an average of 1,200 units per annum to nearly 3,000 units in 2023, and aiming for about 5,000 units this year. This has been enabled by our global distribution that has a very well-proportionate distribution across Europe, Americas, China, and the rest of the world.
If you look at the retail stores and the sales volume mix, we are evenly distributed between 30% to 20% for each of this region. Now, bear in mind that in 2018, China is just 1% contribution to Lotus volume, and through our relentless execution and pursuit for excellence, it has expanded to nearly 25% contribution in the H1 of this year. EU, Europe remains the biggest market, contributing to nearly more than 30%, slightly more in terms of volume through the number of same stores. Lotus is definitely growing very rapidly. We are growing, and some of the key milestones that we have actually achieved in 2014 are inclusive of being one of the fastest growing luxury, heritage luxury brand, and becoming potentially number one UK luxury brand.
We have also had the pleasure of launching more models into more markets, especially in the likes of rest of the world, like Asia, Middle East, where there's strong passion and also brand recognition for the Lotus. That said, we also launched our bespoke tailor-made services that offer personalization, customization services to our customers who wants their cars to be unique in a way where they are either limited editions or tailor-made models. We also start launching smart ADAS capabilities to our car drivers through subscription that can be upgraded over the air, or start to offer these ADAS solutions to our counterparties, automakers, to enable them to actually thrive in the new world of auto mobility technologies adoption. Lotus is always in the business of engaging the sector development.
We were used to be known for our engineering services, serving a lot of peers automakers in a way of engineering, customization, design, aerodynamics, and material science. In this new era of auto mobility technologies, we are there to adopt or to support other automakers in the adoption of operating systems, and also in the way of ADAS technology. I would like to share with you two of the major growth driver that's actually boosting our gross profit margin and profitability in the future. One of which is the bespoke services, where we are able to do customization. The take rate is exceptional. We began this year with the launch of Emeya Blossom, which is a limited edition car with Sapphire's designs embedded in the car.
The take rate is fantastic, and we are starting to see more traction with next-generation high-net-worth individuals who wants customizations beyond the levels of the car. These products and services are offered throughout the world once these products get homologated properly. The other business of high margin is our ADAS business. We have been working with multiple global automakers and brands in terms of empowering them as a one-stop solution provider for all ADAS solutions. Now, we're able to do that because all Lotus vehicles are optional with state-of-the-art hardware, computing power, and at the same time, AI algorithms on subscriptions. Now, while that is happening, we are not only providing for the Lotus cars, we are working with Lynk & Co for their Z10 new models, and working with Farizon Auto in their new interstate trucks and intercity delivery vans.
These are growth opportunity, where we are seeing a riding wave in the dramatic growth outlook for all these robotic technologies. We are excited at our growth prospects. We think that this year we will be able to deliver 12,000 units by factoring into the conditions of global market environment, trade, and other, the other factors. This will put us at more than 70% growth in volume, and becoming one of the biggest luxury and fastest growing traditional luxury brand. We'll be delivering to more markets in a way whereby 100% of both of our sports car model that's built in UK will be delivered across the world.
Our SUV Eletre will start to be delivered to 80% of stores, and at the same time, our Emeya, that was recently launched this year, will be able to be delivered to about 50% of the stores. This is fascinating, given that we are actually delivering more models through more regions into more retail stores. The number of stores we have by the end of this year should be just above 200, and we have spent the last six years expanding the stores in China to increase the coverage. We are definitely at the peak of our number of stores, given that the same-store sales will start to grow rapidly as you start to become more profitable. More important than that is that the company operates in an asset-light model. Manufacturing-wise, we have a factory in UK and a factory in China.
These factories are not owned by Lotus, so we do not have the intense CapEx, and we do not have heavy depreciation and amortization. But on the other side, our distribution network is operated also in an asset-light model, where besides China, which is operated in the direct-to-customer model globally, we work with strategic wholesalers and retailers to interact with existing customer base to deliver the experience that's necessary, so it's very asset-light. As we move forward, we have two more new models coming in. We have the new model one that's coming in to be launched in 2025, and begin delivering in 2026. We have a second model that's coming in in 2026, and be starting delivery in 2027. These are slightly smaller models, which is about 4.8m in length, in the D-class categories.
So these are exciting models that's gonna give us volume booster. Now, from where we are right now, we are moving from less than 1,000 units to 7,000, just below 7,000 units of sales last year, 12,000 units this year, and we are aiming for nearly 30,000 units by 2026. We are in a fast growth annual, supporting where the Lotus brand is. The passion for our cars, exceptional driving experience, at the same time redefining driving safety, using AI robotics to get our customers home, something which is very differentiated and puts us at a, as an early mover versus peers. We think that we are well-positioned to actually achieve more than 20% gross profit margin by 2026, and at the same time, deliver positive cash flow and EBITDA again.
Other measures that's going to support that are the fact that we are already profitability scale in terms of all our R&D, majority of the R&D spending, and also our distribution network expansion. But as I began today's session by sharing with you our Vision80 strategy that will end in 2028 , which is also the Lotus 80 anniversary, that is the time where we want an aspiration to achieve 4% of the luxury segment, which means cars that are priced above $80,000 per unit. We used to be a small brand that is that is in the business of delivering just the sports car.
Now, our product expansion allow us to tap into the broader market of the entirety of the luxury segment, and we hope that with these six models, by 2028, we can achieve 4% of the total addressable market for the luxury segment. Now, without further ado, I'll pass it back to Jessica to host the session. I thank everyone for the time today in this conversation. Thank you.
Thank you, Alexious . Now we are moving into the Q&A session. So the first question I received is that, "How do you position yourself in competitive EV market? And how to achieve the target of more than 30,000 deliveries in 2026 ? What is your biggest advantage?".
Thank you, Jessica. I think it's important to note that, at Lotus, we are not just an early mover in electrification, but also an early mover in digitalization and smartification. So while we embrace the traditional heritage of driving performance and experience, we also offer state-of-the-art technologies that goes hand-in-hand with consumption technology upgrade. So being the traditional luxury brand that is only available in the market that offers discount products, our early mover advantage put us at the forefront where customers who wants to try new things, embrace traditional driving experience, will love it. We have a global distribution network that has been around for decades. While China is a new market for us, we have started to grow to about 25% contribution in volume.
So these are some of the factors where more models, whether our sports car or our lifestyle vehicle, like the SUV and sedan, are actually being delivered into more markets, given their homologation process, and selling through more stores, are things that is enabler for our volume growth. But what is more important is that besides the volume growth, we have other businesses like the ADAS and the customization bespoke services that are enabler for our gross profit margin and profitability drivers. We think that these are things that will set us apart with our traditional luxury peers and continue to power our growth.
So I think if we look at where we are right now, we have two more new models coming up, which is in a very well-positioned segment, and we are ready to capitalize it as our distribution becomes bigger, and the brand becomes bigger, and the entire enters into a positive vibe of a bigger brand, more stores, more sales. Thank you, Jessica.
Thank you, Alexious. The next question could be, "What are your plans to accelerate international expansion? Are your vehicles available in the US?".
International expansion and having a very diversified global distribution footprint has always been in the DNA and also the making of purpose. The US has always represented about 20% to 25% of the market. Our latest Emira actually began selling in the US starting from January 2024, and new orders and sales volume are beating our expectations. Demand for these cars are robust, and symbolic, it's a symbol that the brand is well-built. Now, these cars are all built in UK, and has traditionally enjoyed too very good customer traction in the US. Europe and UK market continues to be the biggest market for all products, whether SUV, sedan, sports car, and others. So we'll continue to make sure our home-based market remains one of the most robust market as the brand enjoys from the British heritage. Yeah.
Now, rest of the world are new market for us as we start to expand presence into the Korea and Japan market, starting from Q3 this year. Fully autonomous driving vehicles in the SUV models is already being delivered in this market, and at the same time, this market is starting to take new orders for the sedan SUV, sedan, Emeya models. China will continue to be a growth market for us, given that it's one of the biggest single auto market. We think that China has the opportunity to grow from 25% volume contribution to nearly 30%, with SUV as the main driver for the market. So being international will continue to help, is part of the Lotus long-term strategy to diversify single market risk. Thank you.
Thank you, Alexious. The next question, " Can you introduce more about the demand? What is your opinion for the demand for luxury EVs in Europe market?".
This is a very good question. Based on the numbers, based on the customer mix from the cars that was delivered and also the new orders gathered, we have about 50% of the customers who are as previously our existing Porsche drivers, so this is where we thought that we are seeing a big portion of acceptance for customers who are in the baseline of loving racing and loving traditional brands. We also see about 30% upgraders who are actually owning brands and looking to upgrade their vehicles. Most importantly, we also see existing car owners of more premium luxury brands who are looking to try out technology-advanced vehicles and chose a Lotus SUV and sedan to test drive our products.
We think that we have a very good blended mix of customer base, who is looking to actually enjoy the Lotus vehicles driving experience and also the technology adoption. But what is more important here is that we believe from the customer's interaction and my personal visits to some of those stores, European investors are very ESG sensitive, being the only EV maker that's actually doing a full transformation to sustainability. We are getting a lot of traction in terms of how we use materials that are recyclable, how we look at energy efficiencies, and also electric vehicles as our options in a way to protect the environment.
So UK, Europe will continue to be one of the biggest market for us as we start to communicate more with the customers and grow the brand.
Thank you, Alexious. The next question is about autonomous driving. "Can you provide an update and the goals for your intelligent driving arm, Lotus Robotics, and expectations for relationship with Farizon?"
Lotus Robotics has been designed and has been established in 2021. But the technology for the robotics that was developed in-house actually began even earlier. We are in the business of creating autonomous driving solution for the global market, given that in 2018, China is still 1% of the market, while 99% of the market, about 70% of the market is actually in Europe, UK, and the US. While this is true, the autonomous driving is important for us in not just the passenger vehicles that is now adopted by Lotus Technology, Lotus Brands cars, but also adopted into the commercial vehicles. Now, Farizon Auto is one of the key brand of global truck and van suppliers.
We are in the business of delivering all these products to customers for interstate deliveries of new energy vehicles, and also the business of doing interstate delivery events. We employ them in three models that's able to use the City NOA and the Highway NOA. So it enables them to be more efficient, at the same time, more robust in their planning for time efficiency and productivity. Thank you.
Thank you. There is about four minutes left, so I think that we will take another one question, which is, "Can you share any updates on upcoming product launches or innovations?"
Just two weeks ago, our concept vehicle, the Theory 1, was actually displayed and launched or shared in UK, London. That is a car with the most advanced technology in the sector, and it will become the baseline for many of the new model technologies, whether for new models or for product upgrades. Now, the next model that's going to be forthcoming to be launched in 2025 and to be delivered in 2026 , will be a D-class model, which is about 4.8m , about 30 cm shorter than the current electric SUV model. This model is going to be very family-suited, with robust design, adopting similar aerodynamics architectures, and also all the smartification and digitalization functions available. So this is and the last model that's going to be forthcoming will be the D-class, 4.8m , sedan, GT sedan.
That is the same 30cm , slightly shorter, smaller than the current E-Class Emeya that's actually available in the market globally.
Thank you, Alexious. One last question, "Can you discuss your capital position, and do you need additional capital to fund your ramped-up production?"
We operated in an asset-light position. The company did a very successful IPO with $880 million raised then. While we become profitable in 2026, based on our projections and our internal targets, we still have a very small funding gap, which will be fulfilled in the coming quarters. These are essential to help the company meet our business objective and deliver our targets to our investors and shareholders. Thank you.
Thank you, Alexious. Thank you everyone for your questions, and thank you, Alexious. Given the time constraint, we will conclude the call very soon. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact our IR team, and this concludes the call. Thank you, everyone, and have a great day.