Aito, a car brand backed by Chinese tech giant Huawei, has produced its 400,000th vehicle, an M9 SUV, just two and a half years after its launch on December 2, 2021. The milestone vehicle, the most expensive in Aito’s lineup with a starting price of RMB 469,800 ($64,760), was rolled off the production line at the Seres Group plant in Chongqing and delivered to Li De, one of Aito’s top supply chain executives.
“Aito’s growth is accelerating, and delivery of the brand’s 1 millionth vehicle is expected soon,” said Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei’s smart car solutions business unit, during the ceremony.
Starting in September, Huawei’s Advanced Driving System (ADS) 3.0 will be available for the Aito M7 and M9, utilizing end-to-end technology to enhance smart driving capabilities, Yu added. By late October, these advancements are expected to further elevate the overall smart driving features of Aito-branded models.
Aito, a premium car brand launched by Seres in partnership with Huawei, includes three models: the mid-size SUV Aito M5, the mid-to-large-size SUV Aito M7, and the large SUV Aito M9. The Aito M7 is available exclusively as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), while the M5 and M9 come in both EREV and battery electric vehicle (BEV) variants.
As of July 24, cumulative deliveries of the Aito M7 have surpassed 200,000 units, according to Huawei’s HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance) business unit. The models produced under Huawei’s collaboration with other car companies also fall under the HIMA umbrella.
In a move to deepen their cooperation, Seres announced plans earlier this month to acquire Aito-related trademarks and design patents from Huawei for RMB 2.5 billion. “The deal won’t affect the conduct of Seres’ joint business with Huawei, and the two sides will further deepen their partnership,” Seres said in a July 3 announcement.