- Aito has filed for one BEV variant and two EREV variants for the M9, all of which are powered by CATL batteries.
- The Aito M9 got more than 200,000 orders after 11 months on the market and delivered 12,483 units in January.
Aito, a new energy vehicle (NEV) brand jointly created by Huawei and Seres Group, has made a new filing for its flagship model M9, signaling that the SUV (sport utility vehicle) may not be far from a facelift.
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released the latest batch of models that will soon be allowed to be sold in its catalog for public comment yesterday, and the M9 is included.
The public can submit their feedback between February 20-26. Entry into the catalog is the last major regulatory process before a model can be allowed to be sold in China.
The Aito M9 has three pages in the catalog, including two extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) models and one battery electric vehicle (BEV) model.
They are manufactured at Aito's production bases in Jiangbei, Yubei and Shapingba districts of Chongqing.
The SUV has a length, width and height of 5,230 mm, 1,999 mm and 1,800 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 3,110 mm, the same as that of the M9 currently on sale.
The BEV version weighs 2,610-2,680 kg and the EREV version 2,625-2,715 kg, all supporting a top speed of 200 km/h.
The model is equipped with Li-ion ternary batteries from CATL (SHE: 300750) across the lineup.
The BEV version is powered by dual electric motors from Huawei, with peak power of 160 kW for the front motor and 230 kW for the rear motor.
The EREV version has front and rear motors with peak power of 165 kW and 200 kW, respectively, and is powered by a 1.5 L displacement engine with peak power of 118 kW.
All three versions in the latest filing have a LiDAR on the roof. Some local media reports suggested that a total of four LiDARs are used in the model.
The Aito M9 was initially launched on December 26, 2023, when only six-seat versions were offered.
On September 10, 2024, Aito launched five-seater variants of the M9 to expand the potential user base.
There are currently seven variants of the M9 with a starting price range of RMB 469,800 ($64,530) to RMB 569,800.
The Aito M9 is one of the rare successes of a local Chinese brand in the luxury car market, with Aito saying on Weibo on December 26 last year that the SUV had accumulated more than 200,000 firm orders after 11 months on the market.
In January, 12,483 units of the Aito M9 were delivered, placing it at the top of China's luxury car market for sales priced above RMB 500,000 yuan for the 10th consecutive month, Huawei's HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance) said on February 1.
In addition to the M9, Aito's current available models include the less expensive M7 and M5, both SUVs.
Huawei's HIMA unit to double model offerings in 2025 with Aito M8 to rival Li L9, report says
($1 = RMB 7.2800)
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