AITO, the premium car brand backed by Chinese technology giant Huawei, is gearing up to unveil its much-anticipated flagship SUV, the AITO M9, later this year. As the third addition to AITO’s lineup, following the M5 and M7 models, the M9 is expected to exceed expectations in terms of luxury, comfort, quietness, and intelligent features. Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei’s intelligent vehicle solutions business, made the announcement during a speech at an automotive industry conference held in Shenzhen.
Yu confidently claimed that the AITO M9 will outshine competitors, positioning itself as the most luxurious, high-end, and intelligent vehicle in the market. Underpinning this ambitious claim is the fact that the M9 will be built on an innovative 800 V high-voltage platform, allowing Huawei to incorporate its latest technologies in the car’s cockpit and smart driving systems.
According to Yu, the AITO M9 will be available in two variants: an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version and a battery electric vehicle (BEV) version. Notably, the AITO M5 is currently offered in both EREV and BEV versions, while the M7 is exclusively available as an EREV model.
Describing the M9 as a mobile smart home, office, and bedroom, Yu expressed Huawei’s commitment to bringing novel technologies and experiences to consumers. With its innovative features and advanced connectivity options, the AITO M9 is poised to revolutionize the driving experience.
AITO was established as a joint venture between Huawei and Seres on December 2, 2021. The brand introduced the AITO M5 on December 23, 2021, followed by the AITO M7 on July 4, 2022. Deliveries of the AITO M5 commenced in March 2022, and the first AITO M7 vehicles were delivered on August 24, 2022.
Currently priced between RMB 259,800 ($36,530) and RMB 331,800, the AITO M5 caters to a range of budgets, while the M7 is priced from RMB 289,800 to RMB 379,800. Although AITO experienced robust deliveries in the latter half of last year, the brand has faced challenges in 2023, with sales figures lagging.
Despite this, AITO recorded a promising increase in deliveries, with 5,629 vehicles sold in May—a 22.77 percent rise compared to April. Cumulatively, AITO delivered 21,873 vehicles from January to May this year.
During his speech, Yu also provided insight into the Chinese auto industry, predicting heightened competition and significant reshuffling in the future. As AITO’s new flagship SUV, the M9 is poised to make a statement in the market and position itself as a top contender in the luxury automotive segment. Car enthusiasts and consumers alike eagerly await the official launch of this highly anticipated vehicle.