The unveiling, which took place last Wednesday, marks a significant milestone for Huawei's HarmonyOS Intelligent Vehicle Alliance, which has already seen over 700,000 car units sold under its umbrella. This alliance brings together Huawei's cutting-edge technology with the manufacturing expertise of partners like Seres, BAIC Group, Chery Automobile, and JAC. Huawei works closely with these partners to design and market new electric vehicles (EVs) under their respective brands, integrating its intelligent automotive solutions.
Yu Chengdong, Huawei’s executive director and chairman of its device business group, highlighted the success of the vehicle alliance, noting that it has consistently held the top position as China’s automotive alliance with the highest average transaction price for ten consecutive months. This indicates the premium positioning and consumer demand for vehicles integrated with Huawei's technology.
At the product launch event, Huawei and Seres jointly introduced the Aito M8 SUV, the latest addition to their premium EV lineup. Yu revealed the strong initial market reception, stating that the M8 garnered an impressive 150,000 pre-orders even before the official launch. Furthermore, the upgraded 2025 Aito M9 has achieved over 40,000 confirmed orders within just 27 days of its launch, underscoring the growing consumer appetite for Huawei-backed smart vehicles.
Looking ahead, Yu announced that starting from the third quarter of this year, the M8 series will receive a comprehensive upgrade to Huawei’s advanced ADS 4.0 autonomous driving system. This signifies Huawei's continuous investment and innovation in intelligent driving technology.
The company’s currently deployed ADS 3.3 system already offers advanced features, including "garage-to-garage" navigation that operates without the need for pre-mapped routes or limitations on parking space. This level of autonomy showcases the sophistication of Huawei's intelligent driving capabilities.
Moreover, Huawei emphasizes the continuous improvement of its autonomous driving systems through self-learning capabilities and over-the-air (OTA) updates. This allows existing vehicle owners to remotely access and unlock new features as the technology evolves, enhancing the longevity and value of their vehicles.
Safety remains a paramount concern for Huawei in its intelligent driving endeavors. “Safety is the ultimate luxury,” Yu stated, emphasizing the company’s commitment to ensuring the reliability of its vehicles. He proudly announced that Huawei has recorded zero battery-related fires across its entire vehicle fleet to date, a critical safety metric in the EV market.
This emphasis on vehicle safety comes at a time when the safety of autonomous driving systems and fire risks in EVs are under increased scrutiny. A recent fatal car accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric car in China sparked widespread discussions about these critical aspects of smart vehicles.
Industry experts widely anticipate 2025 to be a pivotal year for the widespread adoption of smart driving as a key differentiating feature in cars in China. The automotive industry is entering an era of intense competition focused on intelligent technology, with various players vying for dominance in this rapidly evolving space.
Chen Qingtai, chairman of China EV 100, a prominent auto industry think tank, noted the rapid advancements in the sector, stating, “The pace of intelligent-vehicle development in China has exceeded industry expectations. In the first half of last year, the penetration rate of L2 or Level 2, plus advanced driver-assistance systems in new passenger vehicles surpassed 55%.”
To provide context, Level 2 autonomous driving involves partial driver assistance, where the vehicle can control both steering and acceleration/deceleration under certain conditions, but the driver must remain attentive and ready to intervene. Higher levels of autonomy, such as Level 3 and Level 4, involve increasing degrees of self-driving capabilities under specific circumstances.
BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu has even declared this year the “Year of Universal Smart Driving,” boldly predicting that vehicles without autonomous capabilities will soon become a niche market. His sentiment resonates across the industry, signaling a significant shift towards intelligent vehicles. Wang further added, “The pace of automotive intelligence is accelerating, with transformative advancements expected to mature within two to three years.”
In light of these rapid advancements, experts have stressed the importance of educating consumers about the current limitations of autonomous driving technology while simultaneously fostering enthusiasm for its long-term potential.
Li Xiang, chief executive of Chinese EV startup Li Auto, has previously advocated for a more nuanced approach in how companies communicate about autonomous driving technology. “The terms ‘autonomous’ and ‘assistance’ are conflicting with each other when describing one single status,” Li pointed out. He also emphasized the fundamental responsibility of drivers for their own safety, even when utilizing assisted-driving functionalities.
Huawei's aggressive push into the smart car market, despite external pressures, underscores its strategic vision for diversification and its technological prowess in integrating advanced intelligent systems into vehicles. As the Chinese automotive market embraces intelligent driving at an accelerating pace, Huawei's partnerships and technological advancements position it as a significant player in shaping the future of mobility.