Huawei is deepening its foray into the electric vehicle (EV) sector through a strategic alliance with SAIC Motor, a leading Chinese state-owned automaker. The partnership will introduce a new EV brand, tentatively named “Shangjie” (尚界), under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, with an official launch event scheduled for April 10th.
“Shangjie” will become the fifth brand in Huawei’s automotive portfolio, all identified by the suffix “界” (jie). While the official English translation for “Shangjie” remains unconfirmed, it is anticipated to follow the established naming pattern.
This latest venture expands Huawei’s already significant presence in the EV market, which includes the following brands within its Harmony Intelligent Mobility ecosystem:
Aito (问界 – Wenjie), partner with Seres： This brand focuses on a range of all-scenario family SUVs, targeting the mid-to-high-end of the new energy vehicle market with prices spanning 250,000 to 650,000 yuan(34,500 to 89,700 USD). Notable models include the M5, M7, and M9 series. Aito sold 385,904 units in 2024.
Luxeed (智界 – Zhijie), partner with Chery: Positioned towards younger buyers, Luxeed offers both SUV and sedan models that emphasize sporty performance and intelligent features, with a price range of 200,000 to 400,000 yuan(27,600 to 55,200 USD). Key models include the S7. Luxeed delivered 57,956 cars in 2024.
Stelato (享界 – Xiangjie), partner with BAIC: This brand targets the premium and luxury segment, aiming to compete with established luxury automakers by offering “tech-luxury” vehicles for business professionals. The S9 series is its flagship model, with a touring variant reportedly developing. Stelato sales reached 3,008 units (October – December 2024).
Maextro (尊界 – Zunjie), partner with JAC Motors: Huawei’s ultra-premium offering, Maextro aims to compete in the 1 million+ yuan(138,000+ USD) segment against brands like Rolls-Royce and Maybach. The first model is the Maextro S800 sedan, featuring advanced technologies.
The upcoming “Shangjie” brand will create a distinct position within this lineup. Sources suggest its first model will be a mid-to-large SUV priced in the 150,000 to 200,000 yuan(20,700 to 27,600 USD) range. The vehicle is reportedly slated for a fourth-quarter launch this year, targeting a younger demographic with a focus on value.
Reports indicate that the initial “Shangjie” vehicle will be developed based on an existing SAIC platform, potentially the Marvel RC7. This model will integrate Huawei’s electric vehicle architecture, advanced ADS autonomous driving system, and the HarmonyOS smart cockpit. Notably, there are indications that the powertrain options might include both pure electric and range-extended versions, leveraging SAIC’s expertise in this area.
The introduction of “Shangjie” comes when the Chinese automotive market is seeing a surge in demand for intelligent driving features in the more mainstream price segments. Huawei recently launched an upgraded version of its Aito M5, the M5 Ultra, which features its advanced Huawei ADS 3.3 autonomous driving system at a starting price of 229,800 yuan(31,700 USD), highlighting the trend of bringing high-end technology to more accessible price points.
The collaboration between Huawei and SAIC through the “Shangjie” brand signifies a significant move to capture a larger share of the burgeoning EV market in China. Further details about the “Shangjie” brand are anticipated at its official unveiling next month.
