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Huawei's Aito brand arrives in Europe
At IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, Huawei presented three Aito electric SUVs — the M5, M8 and M9 — signalling a serious push into the European EV market. Developed in partnership with state-owned Seres, Aito pairs Seres' vehicle manufacturing with Huawei's software, sensors and electrification hardware. That mix delivers HarmonyOS-powered infotainment, LiDAR-enabled driver assistance and multiple BEV and EREV powertrains designed to appeal to tech-minded buyers.
Design and interior technology
Exterior styling
The Aito models adopt clean, modern lines and distinctive lighting signatures. The M5 shows a sleek mid-size silhouette with a roof-mounted 192-line LiDAR. The M9 flagship adds unique "gauntlet-shaped" headlights and multiple LiDAR units to support advanced driver assistance and autonomy-ready features.
Cabin and infotainment
Inside, Aito emphasises screens and connectivity. The M5 centres on a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. The M8 and M9 step up to a triple-screen layout — instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch main display and a 16-inch passenger screen — plus a large augmented-reality head-up display, positioning these SUVs as tech-forward entries in the premium EV space.
Specifications and performance
M5 (mid-size): 4,785 mm length, 1,930 mm width, 1,625 mm height, 2,880 mm wheelbase. BEV M5 uses a single 200 kW (268 hp) rear motor with an 83 kWh CATL battery and a CLTC-rated range of 602 km. The EREV variant pairs a 1.5-litre range-extender gasoline engine with a 42 kWh battery, offering rear-wheel and higher-output AWD options up to 365 kW (489 hp).
M8 (full-size): 5,190 mm length, 1,999 mm width, 1,795 mm height, 3,105 mm wheelbase. Configurations include five- and six-seat layouts. Power ranges from a 227 kW (304 hp) rear-wheel BEV to a 387 kW (519 hp) AWD BEV, and EREV setups with combined outputs up to 392 kW (526 hp). Battery capacities span roughly 37–100 kWh with a top CLTC range near 705 km.
M9 (flagship): 5,230 mm length, 3,110 mm wheelbase. The M9 offers dual-motor EREV and BEV options — the EREV uses a 1.5-litre generator with a 52 kWh battery for a 365 kW (489 hp) system; the BEV flagship delivers about 390 kW (523 hp) with a 100 kWh pack.
Market positioning and pricing
Aito leverages Huawei's HIMA retail network in China to sell vehicles alongside consumer electronics, a distribution model that helped the brand move 70,025 units in the first seven months of 2025. Domestic pricing ranges from roughly RMB 229,800 for the M5 entry models to RMB 569,800 for top-spec M9 examples (€27,500–€68,190 equivalent), undercutting some legacy premium competitors while packing advanced tech.
How Aito stacks up vs established rivals
Compared with European and established Chinese EV brands, Aito's strengths are software integration (HarmonyOS), LiDAR-assisted ADAS, flexible BEV/EREV powertrains and aggressive value. The result: strong appeal for buyers wanting tech-rich cabins, long range, and multiple charging/generator-based options. Legacy automakers will face competition particularly in the mid-size and full-size SUV segments.
Outlook for Europe
Interest at Munich was high; whether Aito converts show-floor buzz into market share in Europe will depend on homologation, pricing, dealer support, charging partnerships and aftersales. If Huawei and Seres replicate their China strategy — advanced connectivity, varied powertrains and competitive pricing — Aito could become a compelling alternative in the European electric SUV market.
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