Chinese lidar maker Hesai to open first overseas plant in Southeast Asia next year

Chief financial officer Andrew Fan said on Wednesday the Shanghai-based company recently signed a land lease for the factory, with construction set to start later this year and production in late 2026. He did not give details.

The factory will supply light detection and ranging sensors – which employ laser beams to measure distances to objects – to international marques that design and assemble smart vehicles, he added.

“From the end of 2026 or early 2027, Hesai will rely on the plant in Southeast Asia to serve some of our international clients,” Fan said. “We are building overseas plants to implement our go-global strategy.”

The company’s announcement came after Hesai on Tuesday reported a 46.3 per cent jump in first-quarter revenue to 530 million yuan (US$73.6 million), while its net loss narrowed 84 per cent to 17.5 million yuan.