<div id="readability-page-1"><blockquote><ul><li>Nio's Shenji unit and its partner Axera are pitching the new M97 chip to automakers.</li><li>The M97 chip, boasting over 700 TOPS of computing power to rival Horizon Robotics' Journey J6P, is slated for a third-quarter release.</li></ul></blockquote><figure id="attachment_137917"><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026031808311060.jpg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1600" height="900" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026031808311060.jpg"/><figcaption id="caption-attachment-137917">(William Li, founder, chairman and CEO of Nio, introduced the Shenji NX9031 chip at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2025. Image credit: Nio)</figcaption></figure><p>Nio Inc's chip business is reportedly approaching automakers including Leapmotor and Geely Auto following the successful tape-out of a new smart driving chip.</p><p>Nio subsidiary GeniTech Co Ltd (Shenji) co-developed the M97 chip with local chipmaker Axera Semiconductor and following its successful tape-out, the two are actively pitching the product to potential clients such as Leapmotor and Geely, local media outlet 36kr reported Wednesday.</p><p>The M97 chip delivers computing power exceeding 700 tera operations per second (TOPS), benchmarking against Horizon Robotics' 560-TOPS Journey J6P, and is scheduled for release in the third quarter, the report said, citing previous disclosures by Axera.</p>    <div>        <p><span>Join us on </span>            Telegram            <span> or </span>            Google News        </p>    </div><p>After Nio spun off its chip operations into the independent subsidiary Shenji last year, the unit formed a joint venture with Axera and OmniVision Integrated Circuits. This joint venture will handle shipments of the M97 chip to other automakers, the report noted.</p><p>Furthermore, to meet varying automaker demands, Shenji and Axera are planning a lower-end chip codenamed 9031e to compete with Horizon Robotics' 128-TOPS J6M chip.</p><p>Nio unveiled its in-house developed Shenji NX9031 smart driving chip in December 2023. All Nio-branded models have since transitioned from Nvidia chips to this in-house silicon.</p><p>On February 26, Nio announced that Shenji secured 2.257 billion yuan ($330 million) in its maiden funding round, bringing the unit's valuation to 8.27 billion yuan.</p><p>Shenji primarily oversees Nio's smart driving chip operations. Since the NX9031 entered production in 2024, cumulative shipments had exceeded 150,000 units, Nio said at the time.</p><p>The partnership model between Shenji and Axera is described by industry insiders as somewhat complex, representing neither a straightforward intellectual property purchase nor direct procurement of original chips, according to 36kr.</p><p>Engineering teams from both sides collaborated to develop a customized new chip based on Shenji's core modules and architecture. Nio generated hundreds of millions of yuan in revenue through this technology licensing agreement, the report said.</p><p>Automakers such as Leapmotor are currently seeking cost-effective, high-computing-power domestic chips to replace expensive alternatives from Nvidia.</p><p>While Horizon Robotics' J6P chip offers substantial computing power, it was required to be sold bundled with the company's proprietary algorithms until late last year.</p><p>The bundling restricts the autonomy of automakers like Leapmotor in developing assisted driving technologies, prompting hesitation among some companies considering the J6P, according to 36kr.</p><p>This dynamic has created a highly attractive, albeit brief, market window for the joint venture product from Nio and Axera, 36kr noted.</p><p>Axera has offered competitive pricing for the chip, drawing interest from automakers including Leapmotor and Geely, the report said, citing a person close to Axera.</p>    <div>        <div>            <p><img width="768" height="432" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025111903301136-768x432.jpg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025111903301136-768x432.jpg"/>                            </p>        </div>        <div>            <p>Nio confirms its chip unit secures $330 million in 1st-round funding</p>            <p>Several Chinese investors will inject RMB 2.257 billion ($330 million) into Nio's chip business, valuing the operation at about RMB 8.27 billion.</p>                    </div>    </div>    <p>($1 = 6.8754 yuan)</p>                                                                                </div>

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<p>Nio's chip unit, Shenji, is seeking supply deals with automakers Leapmotor and Geely for its new M97 chip, which offers over 700 TOPS of computing power. Co-developed with Axera Semiconductor, the M97 chip is set for a third-quarter release. Following a successful funding round of $330 million, Shenji aims to provide cost-effective alternatives to Nvidia chips. The partnership with Axera involves a complex collaboration to develop customized chips, catering to the growing demand for high-performance domestic chips in the automotive sector.</p>

- Nio's Shenji unit, in partnership with Axera Semiconductor, is promoting the M97 chip, designed for smart driving with over 700 TOPS of computing power, set to launch in the third quarter.  
- Following its successful development, Shenji is targeting automakers like Leapmotor and Geely for potential sales, capitalizing on the demand for high-performance domestic chips.  
- The partnership has also led to plans for a lower-end chip to compete in the market, and recent funding has boosted Shenji's valuation to 8.27 billion yuan.

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Nio's chip unit approaches Leapmotor and Geely for potential supply deals, report says