🐯虎嗅•Stalecollected in 21m
Huawei's auto ecosystem: Avatr vs Seres comparison
💡Understand how Huawei's different partnership models (HI vs. Smart Selection) dictate the success of AI-integrated cars.
⚡ 30-Second TL;DR
What Changed
Seres uses the 'Smart Selection' model with deep Huawei integration, leading to profitability and high sales.
Why It Matters
This comparison illustrates the critical role of business model selection in the success of AI-integrated hardware products, showing that deep integration often yields better market outcomes.
What To Do Next
Evaluate whether your product strategy benefits more from a 'full-stack integration' partnership or a 'modular supply' model.
Who should care:Founders & Product Leaders
Key Points
- •Seres uses the 'Smart Selection' model with deep Huawei integration, leading to profitability and high sales.
- •Avatr uses the 'HI' model, retaining brand autonomy but facing higher costs and lower market penetration.
- •Huawei's resource allocation favors the Smart Selection model, creating internal competition for HI partners.
- •Avatr is undergoing strategic restructuring to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
🧠 Deep Insight
AI-generated analysis for this event — not the original article.
🔑 Enhanced Key Takeaways
- •Huawei has officially transitioned its automotive business unit into a separate entity, 'New Co' (often referred to as Yinwang), to encourage broader industry adoption of the HI model by third-party OEMs.
- •Avatr has expanded its powertrain strategy by introducing Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) options alongside its original pure electric lineup to address range anxiety and broaden its consumer base.
- •The Smart Selection (HIMA) model benefits from Huawei's direct control over product definition, retail channels, and marketing, whereas HI partners like Avatr maintain independent sales networks, leading to higher customer acquisition costs.
- •Changan Automobile, the parent company of Avatr, has increased its stake in the brand to consolidate control and streamline decision-making as it navigates the competitive landscape against Huawei-led joint ventures.
- •Huawei's ADS (Advanced Driving System) 3.0 has been prioritized for deployment across both models, but Smart Selection vehicles often receive OTA updates and feature optimizations with shorter lead times compared to HI partners.
📊 Competitor Analysis▸ Show
| Feature | Seres (AITO) | Avatr | Xiaomi SU7 | Li Auto |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model Type | Smart Selection (HIMA) | HI Model | In-house | In-house |
| Sales Channel | Huawei Flagship Stores | Independent/Mixed | Xiaomi Stores | Direct/Retail |
| Primary Tech | Huawei ADS/HarmonyOS | Huawei ADS/HarmonyOS | Xiaomi Pilot/HyperOS | Li AD/Li OS |
| Market Focus | Mass Market/Family | Premium/Design-led | Performance/Tech | Family/Utility |
🛠️ Technical Deep Dive
- Smart Selection (HIMA) Architecture: Utilizes a 'Deep Integration' approach where Huawei engineers are embedded within the OEM's R&D teams to manage the full vehicle lifecycle, including supply chain and quality control.
- HI (Huawei Inside) Architecture: Provides a modular 'Full-Stack' solution including the MDC (Mobile Data Center) computing platform, LiDAR sensors, and ADS software, while leaving vehicle platform engineering and manufacturing to the OEM.
- ADS 3.0 Implementation: Features a 'God's Eye' perception system using end-to-end neural networks, enabling autonomous navigation in complex urban environments without relying on high-definition maps.
- Avatr Platform: Built on the CHN platform (Changan, Huawei, CATL), which emphasizes high-voltage 800V charging architecture and integrated smart cabin solutions.
🔮 Future ImplicationsAI analysis grounded in cited sources
Avatr will likely pivot toward a hybrid-heavy product portfolio by 2027.
Market data indicates that pure electric vehicles in the premium segment are facing saturation, forcing Avatr to adopt REEV technology to maintain volume growth.
Huawei will eventually consolidate its automotive software stack into a single unified platform for all partners.
Maintaining two distinct business models (HI and HIMA) creates internal friction and redundant R&D costs that Huawei is seeking to eliminate through its new independent automotive entity.
⏳ Timeline
2021-11
Avatr Technology is officially established as a joint venture between Changan, Huawei, and CATL.
2021-12
Seres and Huawei launch the AITO brand, marking the formal start of the Smart Selection (HIMA) model.
2022-08
Avatr 11, the first vehicle featuring the Huawei Inside (HI) full-stack solution, is officially launched.
2023-11
Huawei announces the separation of its Intelligent Automotive Solution business unit into a new independent company.
2024-09
Avatr acquires a stake in Huawei's new automotive entity (Yinwang) to deepen its strategic partnership.
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