Investment Analysis of AutoNavi's Street Ranking on Alibaba's Local Life Services Business and Spatial Intelligence Layout

Based on collected market data and research reports, I will provide you with a detailed investment analysis report.

On January 7, 2026, Alibaba (9988.HK/BABA) subsidiary AutoNavi officially launched the “AutoNavi Street Ranking 2026”, introducing the world’s first “time-sensitive dynamic ranking” that evolves automatically based on seasonal and regional characteristics. The ranking updates intelligently with the four seasons, continuously interacts with the physical world and achieves self-evolution, with over 6,500 rankings generated to date. Guoning Guo, CEO of AutoNavi, stated that this is a key step toward the next generation of

The strategic significance of AutoNavi Street Ranking goes far beyond a simple local life services ranking; it represents Alibaba’s in-depth integration and restructuring of the local life services ecosystem.

The core innovation of AutoNavi Street Ranking lies in building an evaluation system based on “behavior + credit”:

This dual-drive model of “actionable behavior” (real behavioral data) + “trusted credibility” (Sesame Credit enhancement) aims to create a “genuine and trustworthy ranking that cannot be manipulated” [3][4].

The launch of AutoNavi Street Ranking marks the formation of a complete consumer journey closed loop for Alibaba’s local life services business:

Navigation Tool → Store Discovery → Credit Assessment → In-Store Consumption

This closed loop enables AutoNavi to launch a strategic offensive from being a navigation tool that solves “how to get there” to a life decision-making platform that determines “where to go” [5].

AutoNavi’s core technical capabilities built through long-term investment are its key competitive advantages:

• High-Precision Map Production
  : Detailed geographic information covering the entire country
• AI Algorithm Capabilities
  : Intelligent route planning, accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA), real-time traffic condition integration
• Spatio-Temporal Data Processing
  : Real-time data processing capability for 1.5 billion kilometers of daily total navigation mileage
• POI Data Integration
  : In-depth integration of static point-of-interest (POI) data and dynamic user behavioral data

These technical capabilities ensure that the ranking results of the Street Ranking are not only responsive but also highly accurate and credible [5].

As a world-first, the “time-sensitive dynamic ranking” has the following features:

1. Seasonal Evolution Capability
   : Automatically adjusts ranking content according to the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter
2. Regional Feature Adaptation
   : Generates personalized rankings based on consumption habits and cultural characteristics of different regions
3. Unlimited Scalability
   : The number of rankings can be continuously expanded as needed, reaching over 6,500 to date
4. Real-Time Interaction
   : Continuously interacts with the physical world to achieve self-evolution

Guoning Guo pointed out that this marks AutoNavi’s transformation from an “AI conversational tool” to an “AI action partner”, and is a key step toward “next-generation spatial intelligence” [1][2].

In its latest research report, Morgan Stanley pointed out that the launch of the “AutoNavi Street Ranking” is a clear signal of Alibaba’s renewed focus on in-store services, which will reshape the competition landscape of the local life services sector [6].

The in-depth synergy between AutoNavi Street Ranking and the Alibaba ecosystem is reflected in:

1. Traffic Synergy
   : AutoNavi’s 200 million daily active users provide a natural traffic entry point for local life services
2. Payment Synergy
   : The integration of Alipay’s Sesame Credit system enhances credit assessment capabilities
3. Subsidy Synergy
   : The “Vibrant Local Shops Support Program” has distributed over RMB 1 billion in subsidies
4. Data Synergy
   : In-depth integration with Alibaba Cloud and the Tongyi Qianwen large model

Although the stock price is under short-term pressure (possibly affected by the overall market environment), its medium- to long-term performance is strong. Morgan Stanley maintains a positive rating on Alibaba, believing that the expansion of the local life services business will become a new growth engine [6].

As an underlying map data infrastructure provider, AutoNavi was originally a service provider for Didi, Meituan, and Dianping. When it directly enters the front-end local life services sector through the Street Ranking, it transforms from an “enabler” to a “competitor”. This role conflict may lead to wariness or even abandonment of its services by existing clients [5].

• Meituan’s Counterattack
  : Dianping has announced the restart of its premium food delivery service, using large AI models to analyze massive real reviews
• Douyin’s Competition
  : The local life services track has formed a “three-way rivalry” pattern
• User Habit Cultivation
  : Changing user usage habits takes time

The expansion of the local life services business requires continuous capital investment. Morgan Stanley estimates that Alibaba will invest RMB 35 billion in local life services in the second fiscal quarter, reaching RMB 80 billion in fiscal year 2026 [6].

1. Great Strategic Significance
   : The launch of AutoNavi Street Ranking 2026 marks a shift in Alibaba’s local life strategy from “defense” to “offense”, directly challenging Meituan’s core business areas.
2. Leading Technological Innovation
   : As a world-first, the time-sensitive dynamic ranking demonstrates AutoNavi’s technological leadership in the spatial intelligence field, laying a foundation for future business development.
3. Significant Synergies
   : In-depth integration with the Alibaba ecosystem (Alipay, Taobao, Alibaba Cloud, etc.) forms a strong competitive moat.
4. Clear Growth Potential
   : The traffic advantage of 200 million daily active users plus RMB 1 billion in subsidy incentives is expected to quickly activate consumption potential.

Based on Morgan Stanley’s research report and market analysis,

• Reasonable Valuation
  : The current P/E ratio is approximately 19.57x, lower than the historical average
• Growth Engine
  : The local life services business will become the third growth curve following e-commerce and cloud computing
• Proven Execution Capability
  : Alibaba has demonstrated better-than-expected execution and strategic determination in the local life services sector

Investors should focus on:

1. Q3 FY2026 Earnings Report
   (expected on February 19, 2026): Focus on the revenue contribution of the local life services business
2. User Conversion Rate
   : Conversion efficiency of AutoNavi users to local life services consumption
3. Merchant Coverage Growth
   : Quantity and quality of merchants covered by the Street Ranking
4. UE (Unit Economic Efficiency) Improvement
   : Progress in profitability improvement of the local life services business

[1] 36Kr - AutoNavi Launches World’s First Dynamic Seasonal Ranking, Supporting Unlimited Expansion of Ranking Quantity (https://www.36kr.com/newsflashes/3628736770671873)

[2] Xinhua News - Exclusive Interview with AutoNavi CEO Guoning Guo: Supporting Offline Service Industry Through “Credit” Innovation (http://www.news.cn/tech/20250910/3dfdba5b2d8b4c4a8567cf5a32e3cb03/c.html)

[3] Shanghai Securities News - Alibaba Increases Investment in Local Life Services: How Much Potential Does “AutoNavi Street Ranking” Have? (https://paper.cnstock.com/html/2025-09/11/content_2120048.htm)

[4] The Paper - Dianping Faces Competitor AutoNavi (https://m.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_31600951)

[5] CEIBS - Spending RMB 1 Billion on “Street Ranking”: What Does AutoNavi Want? (https://cn.ceibs.edu/new-papers-columns/27825)

[6] Wall Street China - Morgan Stanley: Prefers Alibaba Among E-Commerce Players, “AutoNavi Street Ranking” Will Reshape Local Life Services Competition Landscape (https://wallstreetcn.com/articles/3755397)