Seres and Huawei will jointly launch a new vehicle platform, the first flagship model of which is scheduled for release in 2023.
(Image credit: AITO)
Chinese tech giant Huawei has struck a new deal with Seres Group, its key partner in the automotive sector, to up its bets in the field.
Seres Group's new energy vehicle (NEV) brand, Seres, and Huawei signed an agreement today in Shenzhen, where the latter is headquartered, to deepen their joint business, according to a press release from the carmaker.
Huawei will use its market and user demand insight capabilities to define new products, while Seres will continue to do its part to iterate, evolve and improve the product experience of existing models, according to the release.
The two will jointly launch a new vehicle platform, the first flagship model of which is scheduled to be released in 2023 and will be equipped with advanced intelligent driving systems, Seres said, adding that several new models based on the platform will be launched in the future.
Meanwhile, Seres also unveiled aggressive plans, saying the joint business aims to see both annual production and sales of NEVs reach 1 million units by 2026.
Huawei will leverage its strengths in intelligence, digitalization, user experience, advanced smart driving, and HarmonyOS cockpit, to support Seres in building competitive products, the release said.
Seres and Huawei will also advance the establishment of a joint innovation center, according to the release.
The signing ceremony was attended by Seres Group founder and chairman Zhang Xinghai, Huawei's automotive business head Richard Yu, and officials from Chongqing, the city where Seres is headquartered.
(Image credit: Seres Group)
Seres Group, previously known as Chongqing Sokon, is one of Huawei's most important partners in the automotive sector.
Huawei officially announced on April 20, 2021 that it would begin selling cars in its flagship stores, with the first model being the Seres SF5 SUV, which uses extended-range technology similar to that used in the Li Auto model.
On December 2, 2021, Seres and Huawei jointly launched a premium NEV brand called AITO. The brand later launched the M5 EREV (extended-range electric vehicle), M5 BEV (battery electric vehicle) and M7 EREV.
On November 7 last year, a Huawei executive said the company aims to make AITO a global premium smart electric vehicle brand within three years.
Notably, in addition to Seres, Huawei's partners in the automotive sector include Changan Automobile and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp (JAC).
In August 2021, Changan officially announced its new brand Avatr and its first model Avatr 11, created together with Huawei and CATL.
Deliveries of the Avatr 11 began in January and cumulative deliveries as of February 5 exceeded 2,000 units, the brand announced earlier this month.
On February 16, a Chinese construction contractor released information showing that Huawei and JAC would build a NEV industrial park in Hefei, sparking rumors that the tech giant would build cars directly.
Huawei later clarified, saying it would not build cars and that the project was a partnership with JAC, similar to its partnership with Seres.
Huawei's auto business unit reportedly aims for profitability by 2025
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