BAIC BluePark New Energy Technology, the electric vehicle subsidiary of Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC), announced plans to introduce its inaugural sedan in collaboration with Huawei Technologies this year, as Huawei makes strides into the electric vehicle market.
Responding to an investor query on Monday, BAIC BluePark stated that the first jointly developed model with Huawei is slated to debut in the Chinese market this year. The state-owned automaker described the vehicle as “a high-end intelligent sedan to meet consumers’ demand for premium mobility experiences,” but did not disclose specific details.
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This partnership underscores Huawei’s expanding presence in the electric vehicle sector, where the Chinese tech giant, under U.S. sanctions since 2019, is increasingly encroaching on established EV manufacturers’ territory. Aito, an EV brand co-founded by Huawei and automaker Seres, surpassed Li Auto in January 2021 sales for the first time, driven by the introduction of the revamped M7 in September.
Additionally, Huawei has collaborated with Chinese automaker Chery Auto to produce the S7 sedan under the new Luxeed brand, positioning it as a competitor to Tesla’s Model S.
In November, Huawei unveiled plans to transfer key technologies and resources from its four-year-old smart car operations to a new joint venture, in which automaker Changan Auto will hold up to 40% ownership. Changan Auto produces the Avatr-branded cars in collaboration with Huawei.
However, delayed deliveries of flagship models from Changan, Chery, and Seres were reported due to a shortage of a component belonging to a computing unit that powers Huawei’s advanced driver assistance systems.