Aito M5: What Is Huawei’s Electric Car Worth?

Huawei is making its move into electric vehicles. It is not just providing the software; it is redesigning the interior and selling the vehicle in its stores alongside its smartphones.

Quite symbolic! On December 23rd, Huawei held a launch conference similar to those held by Apple, Google, or any other tech company. However, in addition to a foldable smartphone, the Huawei P50 Pocket, and a connected watch, the Chinese tech giant also unveiled… an electric car!

The Aito M5, as it is called, is neither built nor even designed by Huawei but by Seres. It is derived from the Seres SF5, which Huawei has been selling in its stores since spring 2021 under an agreement.

The Aito M5 is a range-extended electric vehicle, similar to the BMW i3, with a WLTP range of 1100 km. One might be tempted to call it a hybrid, but the 1.5-liter, 125-horsepower four-cylinder thermal engine never directly drives the wheels. Instead, it acts as an electric generator to power the motor(s) when the 40 kWh battery, which alone promises a WLTP range of 150 km, is depleted. This design allows the thermal engine to operate constantly at its optimal performance, while still enjoying the benefits of 100% electric driving.

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HarmonyOS, the common denominator of Huawei smartphones and cars

The Aito mainly differs from Seres in its interior, redesigned around Huawei’s main contribution: an infotainment system based on a 15.6-inch horizontal display and, above all, HarmonyOS.

HarmonyOS is the common software platform for all of Huawei’s new products (smartphones, computers, watches, speakers…), developed to replace Google’s Android, following the implementation of the American embargo. This integration means the car unlocks automatically when approaching with a smartphone or watch, automatically restores electric seat, steering, and mirror settings, and seamlessly switches navigation from the smartphone to the car, and vice versa.

In this regard, HarmonyOS is reminiscent of what Google does with Android Automotive. But unlike the latter, Huawei is not just a supplier; it collaborates closely on interior design and vehicle distribution.

The Aito M5 will be available in China starting February 2022, just after the Chinese New Year festivities. A standard version with a rear 200 kW (268 hp) motor will be sold for starting at 250,000 yuan (€35,000). A performance version with two motors of 165 kW and 150 kW (221 and 201 hp) will be priced at 280,000 yuan (€39,000). And a top-of-the-line version with two motors of 165 kW and 200 kW will cost 320,000 yuan (€44,000).