U Power Limited (UCAR) Risk Analysis

We are an offshore holding company conducting our operations in China through our PRC subsidiaries. We may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, or we may establish new PRC subsidiaries and make capital contributions to these new PRC subsidiaries, or we may acquire offshore entities with business operations in China in an offshore transaction. Most of these ways are subject to PRC regulations and approvals or registration. For example, loans by us to our wholly owned PRC subsidiaries to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE. If we decide to finance our wholly owned PRC subsidiary by means of capital contributions, these capital contributions are subject to registration with the State Administration for Market Regulation or its local branch, reporting of foreign investment information with the PRC Ministry of Commerce, or registration with other governmental authorities in China. Due to the restrictions imposed on loans in foreign currencies extended to PRC domestic companies, we are not likely to make such loans to our consolidated affiliated entities, which is a PRC domestic company. Further, we are not likely to finance the activities of our consolidated affiliated entities by means of capital contributions due to regulatory restrictions relating to foreign investment in PRC domestic enterprises engaged in certain businesses. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, effective June 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses. According to SAFE Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of banks loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although SAFE Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within China, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in China in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or SAFE Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in SAFE Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from the initial public offering, to our PRC subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in China. On October 25, 2019, the SAFE promulgated the Notice for Further Advancing the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or the SAFE Circular 28, which, among other things, allows all foreign-invested companies to use Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital for equity investments in China, as long as the equity investment is genuine, does not violate applicable laws, and complies with the negative list on foreign investment. However, since the SAFE Circular 28 is newly promulgated, it is unclear how SAFE and competent banks will carry this out in practice. In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, or at all, with respect to future loans to our PRC subsidiaries or consolidated affiliated entities or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. As a result, uncertainties exist as to our ability to provide prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiaries or consolidated affiliated entities when needed, and our ability to use the proceeds we receive from the initial public offering and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

From time to time, we have been, and may in the future become, a party to various legal or administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including breach of contract claims, anti-competition claims and other matters. Such proceedings are inherently uncertain, and their results cannot be predicted with certainty. Regardless of the outcome and merit of such proceedings, any such legal action could have an adverse impact on our business because of defense costs, negative publicity, diversion of management's attention and other factors. In addition, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution, including any judgment or settlement subjecting us to liability, of one or more legal or administrative proceedings, whether in the PRC or in another jurisdiction, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows in a particular period or reputational damage.

Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, PRC withholding tax at a rate of 10% is generally applicable to dividends from PRC sources paid to investors that are resident enterprises outside of China and that do not have an establishment or place of business in China, or that have an establishment or place of business in China if the income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business. Any gain realized on the transfer of shares by such investors is subject to 10% PRC income tax if this gain is regarded as income derived from sources within China. Under the PRC Individual Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, dividends from sources within China paid to foreign individual investors who are not PRC residents are generally subject to a PRC withholding tax at a rate of 20% and gains from PRC sources realized by these investors on the transfer of shares are generally subject to 20% PRC income tax. Any such PRC tax liability may be reduced by the provisions of an applicable tax treaty. Although all of our business operations are conducted by our PRC subsidiaries in China, it is unclear whether the dividends we pay with respect to our ordinary shares, or the gains realized from the transfer of our shares, would be treated as income derived from sources within China and as a result be subject to PRC income tax if we are considered a PRC resident enterprise. If PRC income tax is imposed on gains realized through the transfer of our ordinary shares or on dividends paid to our non-resident investors, the value of your investment in our ordinary shares may be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, our shareholders whose jurisdictions of residence have tax treaties or arrangements with China may not qualify for benefits under these tax treaties or arrangements. In addition, pursuant to the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement between Hong Kong and China, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns more than 25% of the equity interest of a PRC company at all times during the twelve-month period immediately prior to obtaining a dividend from such company, the 10% withholding tax on the dividend is reduced to 5%, provided that certain other conditions and requirements are satisfied at the discretion of the PRC tax authority. However, based on the Notice on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties, issued in 2009 by the State Administration of Taxation, if the PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from the reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, the PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment. If our Hong Kong subsidiaries are determined by PRC government authorities as receiving benefits from reduced income tax rates due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, the dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries to our Hong Kong subsidiaries will be taxed at a higher rate, which will have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.

We may become subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the PRC regarding privacy, data security, cybersecurity, and data protection. These laws and regulations are continuously evolving and developing. The scope and interpretation of the laws that are or may be applicable to us are often uncertain and may be conflicting. In particular, there are a number of laws and regulations regarding privacy and the collection, sharing, use, processing, disclosure, and protection of personal information and other user data. Such laws and regulations often vary in scope, may be subject to differing interpretations, and may be inconsistent among different jurisdictions. The PRC Criminal Law, as amended by its Amendment 7 (effective on February 28, 2009) and Amendment 9 (effective on November 1, 2015), prohibits institutions, companies and their employees from selling or otherwise illegally disclosing a citizen's personal information obtained during the course of performing duties or providing services or obtaining such information through theft or other illegal ways. On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People's Congress issued the Cyber Security Law of the PRC, or Cyber Security Law, which became effective on June 1, 2017. The Cyber Security Law is the first PRC law that systematically lays out the regulatory requirements on cybersecurity and data protection, subjecting many previously under-regulated or unregulated activities in cyberspace to government scrutiny. Pursuant to the Cyber Security Law, network operators must not, without users' consent, collect their personal information, and may only collect users' personal information necessary to provide their services. Providers are also obliged to provide security maintenance for their products and services and shall comply with provisions regarding the protection of personal information as stipulated under the relevant laws and regulations. The legal consequences of violation of the Cyber Security Law include penalties such as warnings, confiscation of illegal income, suspension of related business, winding up for rectification, shutting down the websites, and revocation of business license or relevant permits. As of the date of this annual report, we have not been involved in any investigations or cybersecurity reviews by the CAC, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanction in such respect. The Civil Code of the PRC (issued by the PRC National People's Congress on May 28, 2020, and effective from January 1, 2021) provides the main legal basis for privacy and personal information infringement claims under the Chinese civil laws. PRC regulators, including the CAC, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Public Security, have been increasingly focused on regulation in the areas of data security and data protection. The PRC regulatory requirements regarding cybersecurity are constantly evolving. For instance, various regulatory bodies in China, including the CAC, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation, have enforced data privacy and protection laws and regulations with varying and evolving standards and interpretations. On July 30, 2021, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on Security Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, or the CII Regulations, which became effective on September 1, 2021. Pursuant to the CII Regulations, critical information infrastructure refers to any important network facilities or information systems of an important industry or field such as public communication and information service, energy, transport, water conservation, finance, public services, e-government affairs, science and technology industry for national defense and other industries and sectors that may seriously endanger national security, people's livelihood and public interest in case of damage, function loss or data leakage. In addition, relevant administration departments of each critical industry and sector are responsible for formulating eligibility criteria and determining the critical information infrastructure in the respective industry or sector. The operators will be informed about the final determination as to whether they are categorized as critical information infrastructure operators, or CIIOs. As of the Date of this annual report, no detailed rules or interpretations have been issued and we have not been informed by any governmental authorities that we are a CIIO. However, the exact scope of CIIOs under the current regulatory regime remains unclear, and the PRC governmental authorities have discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations. Therefore, it is uncertain whether we would be deemed as a CIIO under PRC law. According to our PRC counsel, Guantao Law Firm, if we are identified as CIIO, we will be subject to stricter requirements on business operations and cybersecurity compliance, and we may need to follow cybersecurity review procedure and apply with Cybersecurity Review Office before making certain purchases of network products and services, and if a cybersecurity review is applicable, we may be required to suspend providing any existing or new services to our users, and we may experience other disruptions of our operations. On November 14, 2021, the CAC published the Security Administration Draft, which provides that data processing operators engaging in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security must be subject to network data security review by the relevant Cyberspace Administration of the PRC. According to the Security Administration Draft, data processing operators who possess personal data of at least one million users or collect data that affects or may affect national security must be subject to network data security review by the relevant Cyberspace Administration of the PRC. The deadline for public comments on the Security Administration Draft was December 13, 2021. The Security Administration Draft has not been fully implemented. On December 28, 2021, the CAC and other twelve PRC regulatory authorities jointly revised and promulgated the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, or the Cybersecurity Review Measures, which is consistent with the Cybersecurity Review Measures (Revision Draft for Comment) announced by the CAC on July 10, 2021.Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Review Measures: (i) "operator of critical information infrastructure" should take the initiative to report to the Cybersecurity Review Office for cybersecurity review when purchasing network products and services which affects or may affect national security; (ii) network platform operators possessing the personal information of more than one million users must apply to the Cybersecurity Review Office for cybersecurity review when list abroad; and (iii) data processor carrying out data processing activities that affect or may affect national security should be subject to cybersecurity review. The Cybersecurity Review Measures further elaborated on the factors to be considered when assessing the national security risks of the relevant activities, including, among others, (a) the risk of core data, important data or a large amount of personal information being stolen, leaked, destroyed, and illegally used or exited the country; and (b) the risk of critical information infrastructure, core data, important data or a large amount of personal information being affected, controlled, or maliciously used by foreign governments after listing abroad. We believe, in consultation with our PRC counsel, Guantao Law Firm, that we have none of the aforesaid factors in our business, and given that: (i) we have not been informed to be an operator of critical information infrastructure by any governmental authorities; (ii) we do not possess the personal information of more than one million users; and (iii) the type and nature of the personal information we gather is of relatively low national security significance. However, there remains uncertainty as to how the Cybersecurity Review Measures will be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the Cybersecurity Review Measures. If a cybersecurity review is required, we will actively cooperate with the CAC to conduct such cybersecurity review. According to our PRC counsel, any failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations or any other obligations relating to privacy, data protection or information security, or any compromise of security that results in unauthorized access, collection, transfer, use or release of personally identifiable information or other data, or the perception or allegation that any of the foregoing types of failure or compromise has occurred, could damage our reputation or result in investigations, fines, or other penalties by government authorities and private claims or litigation, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any such new laws, regulations, rules, or implementation and interpretation comes into effect, we will take all reasonable measures and actions to comply and to minimize the adverse effect of such laws on us. On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the NPC promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which took effect on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law also sets forth the data security protection obligations for entities and individuals handling personal data, including that no entity or individual may acquire such data by stealing or other illegal means, and the collection and use of such data should not exceed the necessary limits the costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, CSL and any other cybersecurity and related laws may limit the use and adoption of our products and services and could have an adverse impact on our business. Any organizational or individual data processing activities that violate the Data Security Law shall bear the corresponding civil, administrative or criminal liabilities depending on specific circumstances. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021, and 2022, and up to the date of this annual report, we had not experienced any material data or personal information leakage or loss, infringement of data or personal information, or information security incident, nor had we been subject to or involved in any official inquiry, examination, warning, interview on cybersecurity, data security and personal information protection by relevant competent regulatory authorities. On August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the NPC approved the Personal Information Protection Law ("PIPL"), which became effective on November 1, 2021. The PIPL regulates collection of personal identifiable information and seeks to address the issue of algorithmic discrimination. Companies in violation of the PIPL may be subject to warnings and admonishments, forced corrections, confiscation of corresponding income, suspension of related services, and fines. As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any personal data protection related administrative warnings or penalties from any competent PRC regulatory authorities. We cannot assure you that PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, would take the same view as we do, and there is no assurance that we and/or our PRC subsidiaries can fully or timely comply with such laws as our business develops. In the event that we or our PRC subsidiaries are subject to any mandatory cybersecurity review and other specific actions required by the CAC, we face uncertainty as to whether any clearance or other required actions can be timely completed, or at all. Given such uncertainty, we and/or our PRC subsidiaries may be further required to suspend the relevant business, or face other penalties, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. From time to time, we communicate with the competent authorities, including the local branch of the CAC, and expect to closely monitor and assess further regulatory developments regarding cybersecurity and data privacy laws, including the development on cybersecurity review, and comply with the latest regulatory requirements.

In China, a company chop or seal serves as the legal representation of the company towards third parties even when unaccompanied by a signature. Each legally registered company in China is required to maintain a company chop, which must be registered with the local Public Security Bureau. In addition to this mandatory company chop, companies may have several other chops which can be used for specific purposes. The chops of our PRC subsidiaries are generally held securely by personnel designated or approved by our PRC subsidiaries in accordance with their respective internal control procedures. To the extent those chops are not kept safely, are stolen or are used by unauthorized persons or for unauthorized purposes, the corporate governance of these entities could be severely and adversely compromised and those corporate entities may be bound to abide by the terms of any documents so chopped, even if they were chopped by an individual who lacked the requisite power and authority to do so. In addition, if the chops are misused by unauthorized persons, the impacted PRC subsidiary could experience disruption to its normal business operations. Our PRC subsidiaries may have to take corporate or legal action, which could involve significant time and resources to resolve while distracting management from their operations.

The PRC Labor Contract Law, which was enacted in 2008 and amended in 2012, introduced specific provisions related to fixed-term employment contracts, part-time employment, probationary periods, consultation with labor unions and employee assemblies, employment without a written contract, dismissal of employees, severance, and collective bargaining to enhance previous PRC labor laws. Under the Labor Contract Law, an employer is obligated to sign a non-fixed term labor contract with any employee who has worked for the employer for ten consecutive years. Further, if an employee requests or agrees to renew a fixed-term labor contract that has already been entered into twice consecutively, the resulting contract, with certain exceptions, must have non-fixed term, subject to certain exceptions. With certain exceptions, an employer must pay severance to an employee where a labor contract is terminated or expires. In addition, the PRC governmental authorities have continued to introduce various new labor-related regulations since the effectiveness of the Labor Contract Law. These laws and regulations designed to enhance labor protection tend to increase our labor costs. In addition, as the interpretation and implementation of these regulations are still evolving, our PRC subsidiaries' employment practices may not at all times be deemed in compliance with the regulations. As a result, we could be subject to penalties or incur significant liabilities in connection with labor disputes or investigations.

We have established a vehicle sourcing network and we believe such network allows us to access the commercial-use EV market primarily in the lower-tier cities in China. We closely collaborate with vehicle sourcing partners in the sourcing business. As China is a large and diverse market, business practices may vary significantly by region. Experience in the markets in which our PRC subsidiaries currently operate may not be applicable in other parts of China. If we determine to expand into new geographical markets in China, such efforts may impose considerable burdens on sales, marketing and general managerial resources. If we are unable to manage such expansion efforts effectively, if expansion efforts take longer than planned, or if the costs for these efforts exceed expectations, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Our relationships with our sourcing partners are not exclusive, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our relationships with our sourcing partners. A decrease in partner participation, or deterioration in relationships with any such partners, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Significant changes in retail prices for new or used vehicles could have a material adverse effect on our sourcing business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, if retail prices for used vehicles drop significantly relative to retail prices for new vehicles, it could make buying a used vehicle more attractive to our customers than buying a new vehicle, reducing demand for our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, manufacturer incentives could contribute to increasing the price gap between new and used vehicles. Lower used vehicle prices could reduce the orders of vehicles with our PRC subsidiaries for sale, reducing their, and consequently our, revenues.

We are a Cayman Islands holding company and are not a Chinese company. As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct all of our operations through our PRC operating entities in China. As such, our corporate structure involves unique risks to investors. There are legal and operational risks associated with having operations in mainland China, and the Chinese regulatory authorities could disallow this ownership structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations and/or a material change in the value of the securities we are registering for sale, including that it could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. In the meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held on July 30, 2021, the improvement of the regulatory system for overseas listing of enterprises was first proposed. On February 17, 2023, the CSRC released the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, and five supporting guidelines, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, whether directly or indirectly, should fulfil the filing procedures and submit relevant information to the CSRC. Although the detailed implementations are still unclear, the supervision of overseas listing of Chinese stocks may continue to tighten. The Chinese government has exercised, and continues to exercise, substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. The ability of our operating entities to operate in China may be impaired by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, environmental regulations, land use rights, foreign investment limitations, and other matters. The central or local governments of China may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to our compliance with such regulations or interpretations. As such, we may be subject to various government and regulatory interference in the provinces in which we operate. We could be subject to regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including various local and municipal agencies and government sub-divisions. We may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply. Furthermore, it is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be denied or rescinded. Although we believe that we are currently not required to obtain permission from any Chinese authorities and have not received any notice of denial of permission to list on the U.S. exchange, our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to the PRC operating entities' business or industry, particularly in the event permission to list on U.S. exchanges may be later required, or withheld or rescinded once given. Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision to intervene or influence our operations at any time or to exert control over an offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, may cause us to make material changes to our operations, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and/or may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in temporary closure of many corporate offices, retail stores, manufacturing facilities and factories across China and the world. In early 2020, in response to intensifying efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Chinese government took a number of actions, which included, among others, extending the Chinese New Year holiday, quarantining and otherwise treating individuals in China who had contracted COVID-19, asking residents to remain at home and to avoid gathering in public. As a result, operations of manufacturing facilities and supply chains were disrupted. A substantial number of SME dealers in our source network temporarily shut down their operations in late 2020 to early 2021. While we resumed normal business operations in later 2020, the results of our operations in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 were negatively impacted. In fiscal year 2022, due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, we had postponed some of our projects, experienced instability of the supply chain, as well as cancellations of sales orders, all of which had negatively impact our results of operations in fiscal year 2022. On December 7, 2022, the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council of China issued the Notice on Further Optimizing the Implementation of Covid Prevention and Control Measures, stipulating that the control measures for epidemic prevention were gradually reduced. In fiscal year 2023, as the Chinese economy experienced slow and gradual recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, our business was not materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our future financial results will be dependent on future developments, such as any potential resurgence of the pandemic, future government actions in response to the pandemic and the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and capital markets, among many other factors, all of which remain uncertain and unpredictable. Given this uncertainty, we are currently unable to quantify the expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our future operations, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our income in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company may rely on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements payable outside of China. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries in China may be used to pay dividends to our company without prior approval of SAFE. However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, we need to obtain SAFE approval to use cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries and Consolidated affiliated entity to pay any debts they may incur in a currency other than Renminbi owed to entities outside China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside China in a currency other than Renminbi. In addition, if any of our shareholders who is subject to SAFE regulations fails to satisfy the applicable overseas direct investment filing or approval requirement, the PRC government may restrict our access to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If we are prevented from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders.

The automotive sourcing industry in China is competitive. Our competitors may offer better pricing and user experiences to prospective car buyers. We may also in the future face competition from new entrants that will increase the level of competition. More established companies, including technology companies that possess large, existing user bases, substantial financial resources and sophisticated technological capabilities may also enter the market in the future. Competitors may operate different business models, have different cost structures or participate selectively in different industry segments. They may ultimately prove to be more successful or more adaptable to customer demands and new regulatory, technological and other developments. Some of our current and potential competitors may have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, sales and support of their platforms, products and service offerings. Competitors may also have longer operating histories, greater brand recognition and brand loyalty and broader or closer relationships with dealers, manufacturers and their authorized wholesalers, or other automotive transaction industry participants. Additionally, a current or potential competitor may acquire, or form a strategic alliance with, one or more of our other competitors. Competitors may be better at developing new products and solutions and services, offering more attractive fees, responding more quickly to new technologies and undertaking more extensive and effective marketing campaigns. In response to competition and in order to grow or maintain the cash-flow generated by the sourcing service, we may have to lower and/or adjust our fees, which could materially and adversely affect our business, profit margins and results of operations. If we are unable to compete effectively, the demand for our services could stagnate or substantially decline, which could, in turn, harm our business and results of operations.

The automobile industry in China is subject to seasonal variations in revenues. Demand for automobiles is generally higher before or during certain major Chinese holidays, such as the Lunar New Year in February, the Labor Day holidays in May and the National Day holidays in October. Accordingly, we expect our revenues and operating results generally to be higher in these periods than in other months of the year. Therefore, if circumstances arise during these months that impede automobile sales, such as high fuel costs, automobile supply shortage, unfavorable governmental policy changes, depressed economic conditions or similar adverse conditions, our revenues for the year would be disproportionately adversely affected. In addition, comparisons of sales and operating results between different periods within a single fiscal year, or between the same periods in different fiscal years, may not be meaningful and should not be relied upon as indicators of our performance.

The success of our UOTTA-powered EV and battery-swapping business depends in part on our ability to attract prospective EV buyers and battery-swapping station buyers and operating partners. To that end, we must continue to invest significant resources in the development of UOTTA-powered EVs, battery-swapping solutions and services and build relationships with automobile manufacturers, dealers and other third parties. Our ability to successfully develop, launch, sell and deliver UOTTA-powered EVs, battery-swapping solutions and related services depends on many factors, including our ability to anticipate and effectively respond to changing interests and preferences of car buyers, anticipate and respond to changes in the competitive landscape, and develop and offer products that address the needs of prospective buyers. If our efforts in these regards are unsuccessful, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Companies, organizations or individuals, including our PRC subsidiaries' competitors, may hold or obtain patents, trademarks or other proprietary rights that would prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use, develop, sell or market our products, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. From time to time, we may receive communications from holders of patents or trademarks regarding their proprietary rights. Companies holding patents or other intellectual property rights may bring suits alleging infringement of such rights or otherwise assert their rights and urge us to take licenses. Our applications and uses of trademarks relating to their design, software or artificial intelligence technologies could be found to infringe upon existing trademark ownership and rights. In addition, if we were found by the court to have infringed upon a third party's intellectual property rights, we may be required to do one or more of the following: - cease selling, incorporating certain components into, or using or offering goods or services that incorporate or use the challenged intellectual property;- pay substantial damages;- seek a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or at all;- redesign our goods or services; or - establish and maintain alternative branding for our products and services. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to obtain a license to the infringed technology or other intellectual property right, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, any litigation or claims, whether or not valid, could result in substantial costs, negative publicity and diversion of resources and management attention.