China’s EV market is heating up at an unprecedented pace. This week, the spotlight turned to Huawei-backed HarmonyOS Smart Mobility Alliance, as two major models launched simultaneously: the AITO New M7 and SAIC’s Xingjie H5.
The excitement was so overwhelming that Huawei’s official sales app briefly went offline under the sheer weight of incoming traffic. For international observers, the event highlighted not just the cars themselves, but the sheer scale and velocity of China’s EV transition.
Record-Breaking Preorders
According to Huawei, consumer enthusiasm broke all expectations:
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AITO New M7: Over 230,000 orders within 19 days.
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Xingjie H5 (SAIC + Huawei): More than 160,000 orders in less than a month.
That’s nearly 400,000 preorders combined — a figure that rivals the annual sales of some global EV leaders. To put it into perspective, Tesla delivered around 466,000 vehicles worldwide in Q2 2023, meaning these two models alone could rival Tesla’s global quarterly performance if deliveries hold up.
Xingjie H5: Affordable Intelligence for the Mass Market
SAIC, one of China’s largest automakers, partnered with Huawei to launch the Xingjie H5 SUV, aimed at the mid-market crossover segment.
Key Specs:
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Powertrain: Available in extended-range hybrid (EREV) and pure EV versions.
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Battery Options: 64.6 kWh and 80 kWh packs.
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Range: Up to 655 km CLTC (long-range EV).
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Smart Driving: Huawei ADS 4.0 with 192-line LiDAR for high-precision navigation.
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Starting Price: ¥159,800 (~€20,400 / $22,000).
👉 At this price point, with advanced driver-assist features, the H5 represents unprecedented value compared to Western EVs. Most competitors offering LiDAR-powered ADAS are priced at two to three times higher.
AITO New M7: A Premium SUV with Flagship Tech
Huawei’s AITO New M7 is positioned as a mid-to-large SUV designed to compete directly with premium EVs from Tesla, BYD, and NIO.
Highlights:
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Dual Powertrain Options: Extended-range hybrid and pure EV.
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Battery: CATL supply with Huawei DriveONE power system.
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Charging: 800V fast charging, delivering 200 km range in 5 minutes.
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Range: Up to 710 km CLTC (pure EV long-range).
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Smart Cabin: HarmonyOS 4.0 for deep smartphone–car integration.
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Price: Starts at ¥279,800 (~€35,700 / $38,000).
Huawei emphasized that the New M7’s focus is not just performance, but ecosystem synergy — integrating navigation, smart home control, and AI assistants directly into the vehicle cockpit.
Why This Matters Globally
From a European and U.S. perspective, the significance lies in three areas:
1. Unmatched Scale
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Combined orders of nearly 400,000 units in under a month demonstrate China’s ability to move markets at lightning speed.
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For comparison, premium EV launches in Europe rarely cross 50,000 preorders.
2. Tech Ecosystem Integration
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Both models run HarmonyOS, turning cars into “super devices” that sync seamlessly with Huawei phones, wearables, and smart homes.
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Western automakers are still experimenting with similar levels of integration — usually at higher costs.
3. Aggressive Pricing Strategy
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At ~€20K, the Xingjie H5 undercuts European and U.S. EVs in the same class by 30–40%.
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The AITO M7 offers luxury-level range and intelligence for under €40K, a bracket where European brands still struggle to compete.
The Bigger Trend: China’s Global EV Push
Google Trends data shows rising search spikes for “AITO M7”, “Xingjie H5”, and “Huawei car”, not only in China but also in markets like Germany, Spain, and the UK.
The global takeaway is clear:
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China’s EVs are no longer just local stories — they are becoming global benchmarks for price-to-performance.
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If Huawei and SAIC can maintain delivery speed, the 1 million annual sales target for HarmonyOS Smart Mobility doesn’t look far-fetched.
Outlook
Huawei has positioned itself as more than a tech supplier — it is now a co-creator of smart EV ecosystems. The success of the New M7 and Xingjie H5 could accelerate China’s EV exports to Europe and Asia, potentially challenging Tesla and Volkswagen on their home turf.
For now, the world is watching closely. If early demand translates into actual deliveries, Huawei-backed EVs could mark the beginning of a new global balance of power in the electric vehicle industry.
