Huawei-Backed EVs Launch to Frenzied Demand, Straining Online Store
Huawei Technologies automotive alliance has launched two new electric vehicles to overwhelming consumer interest, with pre-orders topping several hundred thousand and initial demand crashing the company’s online sales platform. The debut of an affordable SUV and an updated premium model underscores the technology giant’s aggressive expansion in China’s competitive EV market and strengthens the momentum of its Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) toward a target of one million annual vehicle sales.
At a launch event today, HIMA unveiled the Shangjie H5, its first vehicle developed with state-owned automaker SAIC Motor, and a revamped Aito M7 SUV from its established partnership with Seres Group. The models had already attracted significant attention before the official launch, with the Shangjie H5 securing over 160,000 preliminary deposits and the new Aito M7 accumulating more than 230,000 pre-orders in just 19 days.
The intense demand materialized almost immediately after the launch concluded. The Huawei Mall app, a primary channel for vehicle orders, experienced a server outage as customers rushed to place firm orders for the new Aito M7, a clear indicator of the brand's strong market appeal.
The dual launch represents a strategic push to capture both the mass-market and premium segments. This move is crucial for HIMA as it leverages its technology and brand power across different automotive partners to accelerate its challenge to established players in the world's largest auto market.
Shangjie H5: Targeting the Mainstream with High-Tech Features
The Shangjie H5 is positioned as a five-seat SUV designed to penetrate the highly competitive segment of vehicles priced below 200,000 yuan. With a starting price of RMB 159,800 yuan (approximately US$22,000), the model aims to bring high-end intelligent driving capabilities to a broader consumer base.
Available in both battery-electric (BEV) and extended-range (EREV) versions, the H5’s most significant feature is its standard inclusion of Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 4.0 advanced driver-assistance system, a first for a vehicle in this price bracket. The Max version is equipped with a 192-line LiDAR and three 4D millimeter-wave radars. SAIC President Jia Jianxu stated that the automaker aims to achieve “delivery upon launch” to meet the high volume of early orders.
The H5 also features the HarmonyOS-powered cockpit, a 15.6-inch central control screen, and Huawei's MagLink system for mounting and connecting tablets for rear passengers. The BEV version offers a CLTC range of up to 655 kilometers, while the EREV model provides a combined range of 1,360 kilometers.
New Aito M7: Upgrading a Bestseller with a Pure EV Option
Building on the success of the Aito brand, which has delivered a cumulative 800,000 vehicles, the newly launched M7 introduces a pure-electric version for the first time, alongside an upgraded EREV model. The lineup is priced from 279,800 yuan to 379,800 yuan, targeting the mid-to-large premium SUV market.
The new M7 is larger than its predecessor, offering enhanced interior space in both five-seat and six-seat configurations. It is built on Huawei’s 800V high-voltage platform and equipped with a 100-kWh battery pack from Contemporary Amperex Technology, enabling a fast-charging time of 15 minutes to go from 30% to 80% state of charge. The long-range BEV variant boasts a CLTC range of 710 kilometers.
Technical upgrades include an evolved Tuling chassis with a dual-chamber air suspension, an optional in-cabin LiDAR system for a sleeker exterior design, and an array of safety enhancements. The vehicle’s core passenger structure is made entirely of hot-stamped steel, and it successfully passed extreme safety tests, including being rear-ended by an 8-ton truck.
HIMA's Widening Alliance and Market Outlook
The launch of these two models highlights HIMA’s multi-partner strategy to rapidly scale its presence. Updates on other models confirm this momentum: the recently launched Luxeed S9T wagon secured over 13,000 firm orders in its first week, while the Aito M9 large SUV has surpassed 240,000 cumulative deliveries in 18 months.
The Shangjie H5 enters a crowded market segment. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the 150,000-200,000 yuan price range was the fastest-growing segment for new energy vehicles in the first half of 2025. The H5 will compete with popular models such as the Leapmotor C16 and XPeng Mona M03. Its success will depend on leveraging the Huawei brand’s technological edge and ensuring a smooth production and delivery process.
If the substantial pre-order numbers for both the Shangjie H5 and the new Aito M7 translate into firm sales, it would provide a significant boost to HIMA's ambition of reaching one million vehicle sales annually, solidifying its position as a major force in the EV industry.