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September 16, 2020 Zacks Small-Cap Research M. Marin 312-265-9211 Sponsored Impartial - Comprehensive [email protected] scr.zacks.com 10 S. Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606 Kandi Technologies, Inc. (KNDI-NASDAQ) KNDI: New Electric Car Models, Battery OUTLOOK Swap Model & Ride Share Focus Create Opportunities For Growth Global EVs sales are increasing and China, KNDI s home market, is among the fastest growing EV Kandi Technologies, with 18 years of operating markets. Kandi s Dallas-based U.S. subsidiary is history, is positioned to benefit from changing expected to facilitate sales growth in the U.S. market transportation models, through its developing line and recently introduced EV models, the K23 and of electric vehicles (EVs), battery swapping K27, are among the most affordable on the market. technology and ride-share focus. The company s battery swap technology and focus on the rapidly growing ride-share market in China are additional avenues for growth as regulators seek solutions to growing roadway congestion, problems of inadequate parking infrastructure and pollution Current Price (09/15/20) $6.20 from auto emissions. Valuation $12.00 SUMMARY DATA 52-Week High $10.19 Risk Level High 52-Week Low $2.25 Type of Stock Small-cap One-Year Return (%) 21.57 Industry Automotive Beta 2.60 Zacks Rank in Industry N/A Average Daily Volume (sh) 6,562,918 ZACKS ESTIMATES Shares Outstanding (mil) 55 Market Capitalization ($mil) $339 Revenue (in millions of $) Short Interest Ratio (days) N/A Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Year Institutional Ownership (%) 3 Insider Ownership (%) 29 (Mar) (Jun) (Sep) (Dec) (Dec) 2019 $18.1 $24.1 $31.7 $61.8 $135.7 Annual Cash Dividend $0.00 2020 $6.4A $19.4A $21.6E $33.1E $80.5E Dividend Yield (%) 0.00 2021 $137.1E 5-Yr. Historical Growth Rates Sales (%) N/A Per Share Earnings Earnings Per Share (%) N/A Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Year Dividend (%) N/A (Mar) (Jun) (Sep) (Dec) (Dec) 2019 ($0.09) ($0.14) $0.23 ($0.14) ($0.14) P/E using TTM EPS N/A 2020 ($0.03) $0.08A ($0.11)E ($0.09)E ($0.16)E P/E using 2018 Estimate N/A 2021 ($0.19)E P/E using 2019 Estimate N/A Quarters might not sum to annual reflecting rounding. Zacks Rank N/A Disclosures begin on page 14. © Copyright 2020, Zacks Investment Research. All Rights Reserved. KEY POINTS We initiate coverage of Kandi Technologies, which is working to change mobility through its line of electric vehicles (EVs), battery swapping model and ride-share focus. Global EV sales are growing and China, which has been among the fastest growing EV markets, recently extended EV subsidies and tax exemptions to promote EV adoption amid rising concerns about deteriorating air quality. In the U.S., KNDI s wholly-owned Dallas-based subsidiary, SC Autosports, has a national sales presence that KNDI intends to leverage to grow sales of EVs and vehicle parts. In February 2020, KNDI also began accepting dealer applications to sell Kandi EVs in the U.S. KNDI s recently introduced EV models, the K23 and K27, are among the most affordable on the market. The company has already received deposits for 700 pre-ordered vehicles and anticipates pre-orders to grow substantially, with delivery anticipated to begin in 4Q20. Chinese regulators also look to ride-share as one solution to expand affordable transportation options. China is the world's largest ride share market. KNDI is focused on this high growth sector, with its ride- share program also designed to leverage its battery swapping technology that enables drivers to swap a charge-depleted battery for a fresh one and eliminate downtime. In the U.S., the absence of common standards across different automotive and EV battery manufacturers has been a challenge to battery swapping, but China s interest in promoting ride sharing and battery swapping technology implies government support and creation of uniform standards that are expected to facilitate the roll-out of battery swapping technology. The company also has a stake in Fengsheng Automotive, an affiliated company that is owned together with Geely Automobile Holdings, China's largest non-state owned automaker. Fengsheng Automotive s new Maple 60V EV was recently approved for purchase subsidies by China s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. We believe KNDI shares represent an option on management's ability to execute its strategy and benefit from the anticipated growth of these key mobility niches. OVERVIEW China s Kandi Technologies is positioning itself to benefit from transitions in mobility as China and other governments encourage consumer adoption of green automotive solutions to reduce growing roadway congestion and pollution. At the same time, as the economics and logistics of EVs improve, consumer sales are growing. The company has developed a product portfolio of economical electric vehicles (EVs) that it sells in China and exports internationally. The company also intends to focus on the development of its ride-share program and battery swap service (see below). Shares of Kandi Technologies have been listed on the Nasdaq since 2007 and trade under the symbol KNDI. The company introduced its first EV, the Kandi Coco, in 2008. Kandi also offers EV replacement parts and maintenance services in China and launched a battery swap program in 2009. In the U.S., the company distributes through Dallas-based SC Autosports, a wholly-owned subsidiary that Kandi acquired in 2018. SC Autosports has a national sales presence in the U.S. In addition to Kandi EVs, SC Autosports also sells vehicles and parts. Currently some 82% of Kandi s sales are in China but with a recent initiative to accept dealer applications to sell Kandi EVs in the U.S. in February 2020, the company is optimistic that its sales in the U.S. can grow over time. The U.S. federal government subsidy of up to $7,500 towards the purchase of an EV could have a positive impact on sales, we believe. In addition, the company has indicated that it is looking to open manufacturing in North America and is engaged in early Zacks Investment Research Page 2 scr.zacks.com discussions with potential manufacturing partners. North American manufacturing would help KNDI gain cost efficiencies for U.S. sales, in our opinion. With recently introduced EV models, the K23 and K27, that are among the most affordable in the U.S. Kandi is optimistic about its prospects. The K27 will retail for $12,499 after federal tax credits and features a driving range of up to 100 miles on a single charge. The Kandi K23 retails for $22,499 after federal tax credits and features a driving range that exceeds 180 miles. Other EVs retail at considerably higher prices. For instance, the Nissan Leaf retails for over $30,000 by comparison. Separately, the company s off-road vehicles business represented roughly $22.7 million or 16.8% of total revenue in 2019. Kandi also has expanded its product portfolio, with the 2019 launch of new intelligent vehicles, including electric scooters, which added $2.2 million or about 1.6% of revenue. This is another transportation niche that complements the company s existing product portfolio. Relationship With Geely Automobile The company formed a joint venture with Geely Automobile Holdings, China s largest non-state owned automaker, in 2013, to form an intelligent vehicle company. Through this partnership, Kandi can leverage Geely s production capacity and management system, as well as its distribution networks. In November 2015, Geely announced its commitment to become a leader in new energy vehicle technologies, targeting that up to 90% of its total sales volume would be of new energy and electrified vehicles (NEEVs). Geely has expanded its international distribution, selling in 24 international markets primarily in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, although the majority of sales are in China. Reflecting an equity transfer agreement with Geely last year, Geely holds 78% of the JV entity and Kandi holds the remaining 22%. Zacks Investment Research Page 3 scr.zacks.com Kandi New EV Models The Kandi K23 The Kandi K27 Source: Company reports Zacks Investment Research Page 4 scr.zacks.com Growing IP Portfolio Through its various subsidiaries, Kandi holds a total of 121 patents in China. These patents include one invention patent and multiple utility model patents, appearance design patents and software copyright patents. The company also continues to expand its IP portfolio, applying for several additional patents in 2019. Kandi Technologies Time Line 2002 Zhejiang Kandi Vehicles Co., Ltd. (Kandi Vehicles) founded 2003 Introduction of mini pickup trucks 2007 Hu Xiaoming appointed CEO and Chairman of the Board 2007 KNDI. shares listed on the NASDAQ 2008 Kandi Coco introduced 2009 Battery swap program launched 2013 JV with Geely Automobile Holdings 2018 Acquired SC Autosports 2020 Began accepting dealer applications to sell Kandi EVs in the U.S. Source: Company reports EXPANDING ELECTRONIC VEHICLE MARKET The origins of the early EVs go back to the 1970s. In 1973, the Arab Oil Embargo and ensuing oil crisis and skyrocketing oil prices, gasoline shortages and concerns about dependence on foreign oil spurred interest in finding alternative automotive energy sources. Major automobile producers explored alternative fuel options including EVs. In 1973, General Motors exhibited a prototype for an urban electric car at the Environmental Protection Agency's First Symposium on Low Pollution Power Systems Development. In 1975, the US Postal Service tested electric vehicles produced by the American Motor Company. Also in 1975, the U.S. Congress passed CAFÉ (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) legislation that was intended to reverse a downward trend in gas MPG (mileage per gallon), which had fallen to 12.9 miles in 1974.