Consumer Discretionary

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When your passion meets your profession, work becomes more than just a routine; it evolves into a fulfilling journey. This is how I view my role at NetZeroFuture, where my enthusiasm for sustainable innovation transforms each day into a rewarding experience.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As a global advocate for sustainability and e-mobility, I am deeply committed to advancing innovation, driving ESG initiatives, and tackling climate change&mdash;my dedication to achieving net-zero emissions and promoting e-mobility fuels my efforts to create a sustainable future.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am open to consultations, advisory roles, and collaborations to support sustainable mobility. With extensive expertise in the EV ecosystem and EVSE infrastructure, especially within the GCC/MENA market.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Chief Operating Officer at EV Technology, a subsidiary of Sur International Investment Group (SIIG), I have played a pivotal role in advancing electric vehicle adoption in the MENA/GCC region. My 9+ years of experience in implementing cutting-edge charging solutions, driving innovation, and fostering partnerships with leading EV and EVSE OEMs have been key in transforming SIIG into a sustainability-focused enterprise and pioneering the EV industry in the region.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Q2. Are there recent or planned investments in technology to improve the operational efficiency of the electric vehicle supply chain?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">Advancements in battery production and recycling, supply chain digitization, sustainable manufacturing, and vertical integration are key trends in the EV industry. Companies are enhancing battery technologies, with Tesla and CATL leading in advanced production and recycling and CATL pioneering solid-state batteries. In supply chain digitization, startups like VeChain and IBM utilize blockchain and AI for real-time tracking.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">Firms like Rivian, which employs renewable energy in production, are adopting sustainable manufacturing practices. Vertical integration is demonstrated by General Motors' acquisition of BrightDrop for electric delivery solutions and partnerships with semiconductor companies to address chip shortages. These efforts collectively aim to streamline operations, cut costs, and support the EV market&rsquo;s growth.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Q3. How do you use data and analytics to drive continuous improvement in the production of electric vehicles?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">It may involve collecting real-time metrics from production lines, such as assembly efficiency and defect rates, to pinpoint and address bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Predictive maintenance uses historical data to anticipate equipment failures, minimizing downtime. Quality control systems utilize sensors and machine learning to detect defects instantly, ensuring high production standards. Analytics also optimize supply chain performance, manage inventory more effectively, and enhance energy efficiency by monitoring consumption patterns. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">Additionally, analyzing customer feedback and warranty data helps refine product features and address issues while benchmarking against industry standards drives performance improvements. By integrating these data-driven strategies, manufacturers can significantly enhance production efficiency, product quality, and overall operational effectiveness.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">Innovative startup SODA AUTO is revolutionizing automotive technology with SDV, AI, and Digital Twin, making vehicle software engineering twice as fast and four times more cost-effective, without compromising on quality, safety, or security.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Q4. What are the primary raw materials used in your production process and Who are your main suppliers?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">EV production relies on several essential raw materials. Lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, aluminum, copper, and rare earth elements are crucial for manufacturing EV batteries and components. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">Major suppliers for these materials include Albemarle Corporation and SQM for lithium, Glencore and China Molybdenum Co. for cobalt, and Vale S.A. and Norilsk Nickel for nickel. Graphite is provided by Syrah Resources and GrafTech International, while aluminum comes from Alcoa and Rio Tinto. Copper is sourced from Freeport-McMoRan and Codelco, and rare earth elements are supplied by Lynas Corporation and MP Materials.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">Prominent EV brands such as Tesla, General Motors (Chevrolet Bolt EV), BMW, Ford, and NIO use these materials in their production processes. Tesla sources lithium and nickel from suppliers like Livent and Vale, while GM utilizes cobalt and lithium from Glencore and Albemarle. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">BMW relies on graphite from Syrah Resources and aluminum from Novelis, and Ford procures nickel from BHP and copper from Freeport-McMoRan. NIO also procures lithium and rare earth elements from SQM and Lynas Corporation, highlighting the interconnected nature of the EV supply chain</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Q5. What methods do you use for demand forecasting?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">This is a very wide question, and each approach differs since various methods are used to predict future sales and market needs. These include analyzing historical sales data and market trends, conducting market research to gauge consumer preferences, and applying statistical and machine learning models to identify patterns. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">Econometric models assess the impact of economic factors like fuel prices and incentives, while scenario analysis explores different future conditions. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">Additionally, integrating supply chain analytics helps align production with anticipated demand, ensuring efficient and informed decision-making.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Q6. How do you ensure a seamless flow of materials and products through the supply chain?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">It is crucial to implement integrated supply chain management systems that facilitate real-time data sharing among suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors. Accurate demand forecasting aligns supply levels with market needs, while strong supplier relationships and advanced inventory management techniques reduce risks of overstocking or shortages. Logistics optimization and rigorous quality control processes enhance transportation and storage efficiency, and the adoption of technologies like IoT, blockchain, and AI improves visibility and traceability, ensuring a smooth and efficient supply chain.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management?</span></h2><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">What is your strategy for scaling production and ensuring a reliable supply chain while maintaining cost efficiency and meeting the growing demand for electric vehicles?</span></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">This question aims to uncover how the company plans to expand production, manage supply chain challenges, and balance cost with increasing demand, providing insight into its operational and financial strategy.</span></p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">How does your company gather and incorporate customer feedback into your product development process, and what strategies are in place to address evolving consumer expectations and enhance customer satisfaction in the electric vehicle market?</span></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana',sans-serif;">This question explores how the company integrates customer feedback into product development, adapts to shifting consumer expectations towards EV adoption and enhances customer satisfaction in the electric vehicle sector.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>