The AITO M7 features extended-range technology similar to that used by Li Auto in its models, and its specifications and prices mean it will compete directly with the Li ONE.
(Image credit: AITO)
Another competitive product has been launched in China's new energy SUV market.
AITO, an electric vehicle (EV) brand jointly created by Huawei and Seres, a brand of local automaker Chongqing Sokon, launched its new SUV, the AITO M7, at the tech giant's product launch today.
The AITO M7, the brand's second model after the AITO M5, is a large new energy SUV that uses extended-range technology similar to that used by Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI, HKG: 2015) in its models.
Models that use this technology are powered by batteries, although they have a smaller capacity than typical pure electric models. Such models are equipped with a low-displacement engine to provide extended range when the battery runs out.
Although the AITO brand was created by Huawei and Seres, the tech giant has the lead in the design and marketing, with Seres acting more like a manufacturing plant.
The AITO M7 was launched at Huawei's new product launch by Richard Yu, the technology giant's managing director and CEO of the intelligent vehicle solutions business unit.
AITO offers three versions of the M7 to choose from, starting at RMB 319,800 ($478,100), 339,800 and 379,800 respectively.
This price range makes the AITO M7 a competitor to Li Auto's Li ONE, which has a flat retail price of RMB 349,800.
The AITO M7 has a length, width and height of 5,020 mm, 1,945 mm and 1,775 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,820 mm.
For comparison, the Li ONE measures 5,030 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width and 1,760 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,935 mm.
The rear-wheel-drive version of the AITO M7 is equipped with a 1.5T range extender with a maximum power of 90 kW and an electric motor with a maximum power of 200 kW.
The four-wheel-drive version of the model adds a front electric motor with a peak power of 130 kW, bringing the combined power to 330 kW and enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in as fast as 4.8 seconds.
The AITO M7 is powered by a CATL-supplied ternary lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 40.06 kWh and has a WLTC range of 195 km on battery power for the rear-wheel-drive version and 165 km for the four-wheel-drive version.
Under CLTC conditions, the rear-wheel-drive version of the AITO M7 has a range of 1,220 km on full fuel and full charge, and the four-wheel-drive version has a range of 1,100 km.
Li Auto's Li ONE is powered by a battery pack with a capacity of 40.5 kWh supplied by CATL and has a WLTC range of 155 km. It has an NEDC range of 1,080 km on full fuel and full charge and a WLTC range of 890 km.
The AITO M7's smart cockpit uses Huawei's HarmonyOS, claiming that users can use mobile apps directly from the vehicle's center screen.
AITO offers six exterior colors for the M7 as well as four interior color options.
The model is available for reservation on July 4 at 18:08 Beijing time, with test drives allowed from July 23 and deliveries to begin in early August.
AITO is a premium smart car brand launched by Seres with Huawei on December 2 last year, and its first model, the AITO M5, was unveiled on December 23 last year.
AITO delivered 7,021 AITO M5 vehicles in June, up 40.25 percent from 5,006 units in May, the brand said on July 1.
Since deliveries began in March, the cumulative number of AITO M5 deliveries has reached 18,317 units, according to data monitored by CnEVPost.
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