Haomo.AI, the self-driving technology startup backed by Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM), has abruptly ceased operations, leaving hundreds of employees in limbo with unpaid salaries and unclear futures. On November 24, staff received a verbal notice from HR to stop reporting to work, with no further explanation or formal announcement from the company.
Sudden Halt of Operations
Reports from multiple sources, including Sina News, indicate the shutdown was swift and uncommunicative. Employees in Beijing and Shanghai found offices deserted, equipment powered off, and no staff present. Many reported months of delayed wages, frozen company funds, and a total lack of response from management. This abrupt halt raises serious concerns about the company’s financial stability and operational viability.
From Promising Startup to Collapse
Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from GWM’s internal autonomous driving division, Haomo.AI quickly gained traction with its HPilot driver-assist system, reportedly deployed in over 20 GWM vehicles. The company once boasted a valuation exceeding $1 billion and enjoyed strong investor confidence. However, recent months saw escalating financial troubles, layoffs, and executive turnover. According to insiders, Haomo.AI struggled to scale production and secure stable commercial orders despite promising technology.
The Broader Implications for Great Wall Motor
The collapse of Haomo.AI poses a significant strategic challenge for Great Wall Motor. The automaker now faces an immediate gap in its autonomous driving capabilities, potentially impacting future vehicle development. GWM will need to reassess how it sources driver-assist and self-driving technologies, whether through partnerships, acquisitions, or renewed in-house investment.
The failure of Haomo.AI underscores the high-risk, high-reward nature of the autonomous vehicle industry, where even well-funded startups can falter without sustainable commercialization.
The situation leaves hundreds of employees facing unpaid wages, uncertain social insurance benefits, and career disruption. As of now, neither Haomo.AI nor Great Wall Motor has issued an official statement clarifying the nature of the shutdown. The long-term consequences for both the company and GWM remain unclear.
