Chinese tech giant Huawei and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC) have launched their first luxury sedan under the Maextro brand, stepping into the high-end automotive segment with a model priced to challenge established players like Mercedes-Maybach.
Revealed at a launch event on Sunday evening, the Maextro S800 marks the brand’s debut vehicle and is the most premium offering under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). The five-seat battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant starts at RMB 708,000 ($98,330), lower than its pre-sales range of RMB 1 million to RMB 1.5 million, a pricing strategy commonly used in China to surpass consumer expectations.
Huawei’s executive team emphasized the luxury and innovation packed into the S800, which features both BEV and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) configurations. “This model sets a new benchmark for Chinese luxury sedans, combining elegance, performance, and cutting-edge smart driving technology,” Huawei said during the event.
The BEV versions feature dual motors with a combined peak output of 390 kW and boast 0–100 km/h acceleration times as quick as 4.3 seconds. Powered by a 97-kWh ternary lithium battery, the two BEV trims offer CLTC ranges of up to 702 km and fast-charging capabilities that can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in as little as 12 minutes.
EREV variants come standard with a 1.5T engine as a range extender and offer both dual-motor and tri-motor setups. They include a 65-kWh battery—unusual for hybrids—and offer up to 1,333 km of combined range. “The S800 sets a new standard for electric range and performance in this segment,” Huawei said.
Deliveries of a limited-edition pioneer version, capped at 599 units, will begin on June 26, while standard trims will reach customers starting mid-August.
The Maextro S800 enters a market where German brands dominate the premium segment. Measuring 5,480 mm in length and equipped with Huawei’s ADS 4 smart driving system, the model is designed to cater to privacy-focused, high-end consumers seeking both comfort and advanced technology.
Other brands under Huawei’s HIMA initiative include Seres Group’s Aito, Chery’s Luxeed, BAIC’s Stelato, and SAIC Motor’s Shangjie. With Maextro positioned as the flagship among these, Huawei is betting that domestic innovation can carve out a place in China’s luxury auto market.
