Set to Debut: Aito's New M8 SUV, Funded by Huawei, in April

Set to Debut: Aito's New M8 SUV, Funded by Huawei, in April

The tech giant Huawei is venturing into the automotive industry with its first automotive brand, Aito. The family-oriented premium SUV, the Aito M8, is set to be launched in April, according to recent reports.

The Aito M8 will be available in both extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) variants, making it an attractive option for environmentally-conscious families. The EREV variant, which has already been catalogued by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), will be equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine acting as a generator, similar to the updated HG15T 118 kW engine in the M9 model.

The Aito M8 will offer three options for battery range - 235 km, 240 km, and 161 km, providing flexibility for customers with varying needs. The model will measure 5,190 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width, 1,795 mm in height, and have a wheelbase of 3,105 mm. It will be available in both 5-seat and 6-seat options.

The Aito M8 is expected to compete with Li Auto's Li L8 SUV in terms of pricing, with an estimated price range between RMB 350,000 and RMB 450,000. Deutsche Bank analyst Wang Bin's team expects the Aito M8 to be priced between RMB 330,000 and RMB 470,000.

The Aito M5 Ultra SUV, another model from the brand, will feature Huawei's driver assist system and LiDAR. However, the pricing and availability of the Aito M5 Ultra SUV were not specified in the article.

The Aito M8 is expected to sell about 120,000 units in 2025, marking a significant entry into the competitive luxury electric SUV market. The model's advanced features such as LED headlights with daytime visibility, aerodynamic design with a low drag coefficient (~0.27), automatic driving and parking assist, and multiple charging ports for slow and fast charging options, make it an appealing choice for consumers.

In terms of competition, the Aito M8 will face off against other mid-to-large luxury electric SUVs offering extended ranges and hybrid capabilities. The Li Auto Li L8, another plug-in hybrid electric SUV targeting a similar market segment, is a direct competitor. While the specifics of the competition between the Aito M8 and the Li Auto Li L8 are not yet clear, both models aim to cater to the growing demand for premium family SUVs in China's rapidly expanding EV market.

[1] LatePost, 27th February 2023, Aito M8 to be offered in both EREV and BEV variants. [3] TechNode, 1st March 2023, Aito M8: Huawei's first automotive brand enters the EV market with a premium SUV.

1. Huawei, the tech giant, is entering the automotive industry, introducing their first automotive brand, Aito, with the family-oriented premium SUV, the Aito M8, slated for launch in April.
2. The Aito M8 will offer two variants: extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV), providing environmentally-conscious families with an attractive option.
3. The EREV variant, already recognized by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), will come equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine acting as a generator.
4. For battery range options, customers can choose from 235 km, 240 km, or 161 km, offering flexibility based on their needs.
5. The Aito M8, measuring 5,190 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width, 1,795 mm in height, and boasting a wheelbase of 3,105 mm, will be available in both 5-seat and 6-seat configurations.
6. The Aito M8 is expected to compete with Li Auto's Li L8 SUV in terms of pricing, with an estimated price range between RMB 350,000 and RMB 450,000, according to Deutsche Bank analyst Wang Bin's team.
7. The Aito M8's predicted sales of about 120,000 units in 2025 mark a significant entry into the competitive luxury electric SUV market, thanks to its advanced features such as LED headlights, aerodynamic design, automatic driving and parking assist, and multiple charging ports.
8. Aito's other model, the M5 Ultra SUV, plans to incorporate Huawei's driver assist system and LiDAR, but pricing and availability details remain unspecified.
9. The Aito M8 and the Li Auto Li L8, both mid-to-large luxury electric SUVs offering extended ranges and hybrid capabilities, will face off in the rapidly expanding Chinese EV market, catering to the increasing demand for premium family SUVs.

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