Huawei in collaboration with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp. (JAC), announced the formation of a new automotive brand named Maextro, targeting the ultra-luxury market. The announcement was made by Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei’s smart car solutions unit, at the launch event for the Stelato S9 electric sedan, a model from another of Huawei’s automotive ventures.
“Huawei is committed to helping automakers build cars and promote the upgrading of the smart car industry,” said Yu.
Maextro marks the fourth brand established under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), joining Aito, Luxeed, and Stelato. According to a report by local media outlet Cailian, Maextro’s first model is expected to debut in the first quarter of next year, with JAC currently preparing 38 test cars.
Xiang Xingchu, chairman of JAC, indicated that the first product from the collaboration with Huawei is in the vehicle validation stage, with production anticipated to start by the end of this year. The official launch is planned for the first half of next year.
“JAC has accelerated hiring related to the Maextro project, with positions including quality systems specialist, quality review specialist, product line quality specialist, and vehicle quality specialist,” Cailian reported, citing an internal source. These positions will report to the program’s chief quality officer and require extensive experience in high-end vehicle programs.
The new hires will expand JAC’s quality department, currently staffed by around 100 employees, into a 300-person quality management center, as per Cailian’s report.
The partnership between Huawei and JAC, first announced on December 1, aims to develop, manufacture, sell, and service luxury smart internet-connected electric vehicles using Huawei’s smart car solutions. Initially rumored to produce an MPV, the first model from Maextro is now confirmed to be a sedan, with a price tag around RMB 1 million ($139,300), positioning it against the BMW 7 Series.
The Stelato S9, the first model of the Stelato brand jointly developed by Huawei and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), was also officially launched at the event.
