SHANGHAI, Nov. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cango Inc. (NYSE: CANG) ("Cango" or the "Company"), a leading automotive transaction service platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of 2022.

Third Quarter 2022 Financial and Operational Highlights

• Total revenues were RMB416.4 million (US$58.5 million), compared with RMB800.6 million in the same period of 2021. Car trading transactions revenues were RMB347.2 million (US$48.8 million), or 83.4% of total

• revenues in the third quarter of 2022, compared with RMB429.2 million in the same period of 2021.

• The total outstanding balance of financing transactions the Company facilitated was RMB30,784.0 million (US$4,327.5 million) as of September 30, 2022. M1+ and M3+ overdue ratios for all financing transactions that remained outstanding and were facilitated by the Company were 2.44% and 1.27%, respectively, as of September 30, 2022, compared with 2.21% and 1.07%, respectively, as of June 30, 2022.
• "Cango Haoche" platform had engaged 9,350 dealers in China's 31 provinces and 305 cities as of September 30, 2022. During the first nine months of 2022, total sales were 12,639 cars, including 7,677 new energy vehicles (NEVs), resulting in an NEV penetration rate exceeding 60%.  
• Since the "Cango Haoche" APP was launched at the end of the second quarter of this year, it had attracted a total of over 300,000 page views and more than 27,000 unique visitors as of the end of September.

Mr. Jiayuan Lin, Chief Executive Officer of Cango, commented, "Within a complex external operating environment, COVID-19 resurgences continued to affect China's automotive industry. Despite these challenges, we delivered a solid performance in the third quarter with total revenues reaching RMB416.4 million, of which revenues from car trading transactions accounted for over 83.4%. The pandemic's ongoing impact together with favorable policies released in the last two quarters is reshaping the landscape of the domestic automotive industry. In light of evolving market trends and positive regulatory changes, we remained focused on our car trading transactions business and continued to elevate our one-stop platform service capabilities.

"In the third quarter, we made significant strides in upgrading our car transaction-related services for dealers and other automotive industry chain participants. Notably, we enhanced our 'Cango Haoche' APP with refined online product offerings and integrated after-market and financing services. The combination of tailored products and expanded vehicle inventory further improved our service capabilities as well as dealers' experience on our platform, reinforcing their stickiness. Furthermore, building on the success of 'Cango Haoche,' we officially launched our 'Cango U-Car' WeChat mini program, leveraging our long-time strengths to provide dealers with more convenient used car transaction services. As of September 30, 2022, 'Cango U-Car' had more than 3,000 registered dealers with increasing engagement.

"Looking ahead, given ongoing COVID-19 recurrences and the complex global macroeconomic environment, we will maintain our strategy focused on developing our new and used car businesses in parallel, creating value for OEMs and dealers and making car purchases simple and enjoyable," concluded Mr. Lin.

Mr. Yongyi Zhang, Chief Financial Officer of Cango, stated, "Our third quarter performance showcases the resilience and strength of our car trading transactions business, even in a challenging environment. In addition to the advancements we made in our platform, we implemented additional cost optimization measures and continued our share repurchase programs, underscoring our confidence in Cango's sustainable future. Going forward, we will continue to exercise strict cost discipline and invest selectively as we strive to upgrade our platform and operations to capture growth opportunities in both the new and used car markets."

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

REVENUES

Total revenues in the third quarter of 2022 were RMB416.4 million (US$58.5 million) compared with RMB800.6 million in the same period of 2021. Revenues from car trading transactions in the third quarter of 2022 were RMB347.2 million (US$48.8 million), or 83.4% of total revenues in the third quarter of 2022, compared with RMB429.2 million in the same period of 2021.

OPERATING COST AND EXPENSES

Total operating cost and expenses in the third quarter of 2022 were RMB608.8 million (US$85.6 million) compared with RMB839.6 million in the same period of 2021.

• Cost of revenue in the third quarter of 2022 decreased to RMB388.7 million (US$54.6 million) from RMB610.5 million in the same period of 2021. As a percentage of total revenues, cost of revenue in the third quarter of 2022 was 93.3% compared with 76.3% in the same period of 2021. The change was primarily due to an increase in car trading transactions' share of total revenues. Car trading transactions normally present a higher cost-revenue ratio, thus pushing up the overall ratio.
• Sales and marketing expenses in the third quarter of 2022 decreased to RMB17.9 million (US$2.5 million) from RMB46.8 million in the same period of 2021. As a percentage of total revenues, sales and marketing expenses in the third quarter of 2022 was 4.3% compared with 5.8% in the same period of 2021.
• General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2022 decreased to RMB57.8 million (US$8.1 million) from RMB64.0 million in the same period of 2021. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2022 was 13.9% compared with 8.0% in the same period of 2021.  
• Research and development expenses in the third quarter of 2022 decreased to RMB10.2 million (US$1.4 million) from RMB17.4 million in the same period of 2021. As a percentage of total revenues, research and development expenses in the third quarter of 2022 was 2.4% compared with 2.2% in the same period of 2021.
• Net loss on risk assurance liabilities in the third quarter of 2022 was RMB85.0 million (US$11.9 million) compared with RMB55.5 million in the same period of 2021. Net loss on risk assurance liabilities was mainly due to a sequential increase in the default rate since 2021.

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS

Loss from operations in the third quarter of 2022 was RMB192.3 million (US$27.0 million), compared with RMB39.0 million in the same period of 2021.

NET LOSS

Net loss in the third quarter of 2022 was RMB130.3 million (US$18.3 million). Non-GAAP adjusted net loss in the third quarter of 2022 was RMB110.0 million (US$15.5 million). Non-GAAP adjusted net loss excludes the impact of share-based compensation expenses. For further information, see "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measure."

NET LOSS PER ADS

Basic and diluted net loss per American Depositary Share (ADS) in the third quarter of 2022 were both RMB0.96 (US$0.13). Non-GAAP adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ADS in the third quarter of 2022 were both RMB0.81 (US$0.11). Each ADS represents two Class A ordinary shares of the Company.

BALANCE SHEET

As of September 30, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB745.0 million (US$104.7 million), compared with RMB1,280.7 million as of June 30, 2022.

As of September 30, 2022, the Company had short-term investments of RMB2,698.0 million (US$379.3 million), compared with RMB2,116.2 million as of June 30, 2022.

Business Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company expects total revenues to be between RMB450 million and RMB500 million. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change.

Share Repurchase Program

• Pursuant to the share repurchase program announced on August 19, 2021, the Company had repurchased 8,153,114 ADSs with cash in the aggregate amount of approximately US$28.8 million up to August 25, 2022, the day on which the program expired.
• Pursuant to the share repurchase program announced on April 22, 2022, the Company had repurchased 287,530 ADSs with cash in the aggregate amount of approximately US$635,758 up to September 30, 2022.