SourceIfanr (爱范儿)•Stalecollected in 62m
New AITO M9 launched, dubbed the strongest SUV
See how Huawei's software stack is redefining the smart SUV experience and competing with global tech leaders.
30-Second TL;DR
What Changed
AITO M9 launch with a starting price of 479,800 RMB
Why It Matters
The AITO M9 represents the aggressive integration of Huawei's software ecosystem into automotive hardware. It sets a new benchmark for smart vehicle competitiveness in the Chinese market.
What To Do Next
Analyze the integration of Huawei's ADS in the AITO M9 to understand current trends in edge-based AI for autonomous driving.
Who should care:Developers & AI Engineers
Key Points
- •AITO M9 launch with a starting price of 479,800 RMB
- •Richard Yu positions the vehicle as the world's strongest SUV
- •Focus on integrated smart cockpit and autonomous driving capabilities
Deep Insight
Background and context from public sources — not the original article. 26 sources cited.
Enhanced Key Takeaways
- •The AITO M9 is available in both Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) and Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) versions, with the BEV model featuring a 100 kWh CATL Qilin Battery and an 800-volt electrical architecture.
- •It integrates Huawei's HarmonyOS 4.0 for its smart cockpit and utilizes the HUAWEI ADS 5 autonomous driving system, which includes up to six LiDAR sensors and supports nationwide map-free intelligent driving.
- •The SUV boasts impressive performance, with the BEV tri-motor version accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.99 seconds and achieving a Moose Test result of 82.7 km/h, a figure that surpasses many traditional luxury SUVs.
- •By March 2026, cumulative deliveries of the AITO M9 series had exceeded 280,000 units, establishing it as a leading model in China's high-end new energy SUV market, surpassing sales of luxury vehicles like the BMW X5 and X7.
- •The M9 features an all-aluminum body and chassis, air suspension with CDC variable damping, and has achieved a five-star C-NCAP safety rating, outperforming competitors like the Li Auto L9 in safety tests.
Competitor Analysis
Starting Price (RMB)
- AITO M9 (New Gen, 2026)
- 479,800
- Li Auto L9
- 409,800 - 439,800
- Nio ES9 (Upcoming)
- Not yet announced (launching May 27, 2026)
Powertrain Options
- AITO M9 (New Gen, 2026)
- BEV (Dual/Tri-motor), EREV (1.5L Turbo + Dual motors)
- Li Auto L9
- EREV
- Nio ES9 (Upcoming)
- BEV (expected)
Max Power Output (BEV)
- AITO M9 (New Gen, 2026)
- Up to 903 hp (tri-motor)
- Li Auto L9
- N/A (EREV only)
- Nio ES9 (Upcoming)
- Not specified
0-100 km/h Acceleration (BEV)
- AITO M9 (New Gen, 2026)
- 3.99s (tri-motor), 4.5s (dual-motor)
- Li Auto L9
- N/A (EREV only)
- Nio ES9 (Upcoming)
- Not specified
Max Range (CLTC)
- AITO M9 (New Gen, 2026)
- 750 km (BEV), 1,405 km (EREV comprehensive)
- Li Auto L9
- 1,315 km (EREV comprehensive)
- Nio ES9 (Upcoming)
- Not specified
Smart Driving System
- AITO M9 (New Gen, 2026)
- Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 (6 LiDARs)
- Li Auto L9
- LiDAR-based system
- Nio ES9 (Upcoming)
- Not specified
Smart Cockpit OS
- AITO M9 (New Gen, 2026)
- HarmonyOS 4.0
- Li Auto L9
- Not specified
- Nio ES9 (Upcoming)
- Not specified
Safety Rating (C-NCAP)
- AITO M9 (New Gen, 2026)
- 5-star (93.9%)
- Li Auto L9
- 5-star (91.3%)
- Nio ES9 (Upcoming)
- Not yet rated
Moose Test
- AITO M9 (New Gen, 2026)
- 82.7 km/h
- Li Auto L9
- Not specified
- Nio ES9 (Upcoming)
- Not specified
| Feature / Model | AITO M9 (New Gen, 2026) | Li Auto L9 | Nio ES9 (Upcoming) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (RMB) | 479,800 | 409,800 - 439,800 | Not yet announced (launching May 27, 2026) |
| Powertrain Options | BEV (Dual/Tri-motor), EREV (1.5L Turbo + Dual motors) | EREV | BEV (expected) |
| Max Power Output (BEV) | Up to 903 hp (tri-motor) | N/A (EREV only) | Not specified |
| 0-100 km/h Acceleration (BEV) | 3.99s (tri-motor), 4.5s (dual-motor) | N/A (EREV only) | Not specified |
| Max Range (CLTC) | 750 km (BEV), 1,405 km (EREV comprehensive) | 1,315 km (EREV comprehensive) | Not specified |
| Smart Driving System | Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 (6 LiDARs) | LiDAR-based system | Not specified |
| Smart Cockpit OS | HarmonyOS 4.0 | Not specified | Not specified |
| Safety Rating (C-NCAP) | 5-star (93.9%) | 5-star (91.3%) | Not yet rated |
| Moose Test | 82.7 km/h | Not specified | Not specified |
Technical Deep Dive
- Platform: Built on Huawei's new-generation DriveONE 800V high-voltage dual silicon carbide power platform for BEV variants.
- Body & Chassis: Features an all-aluminum body, with 80% of its body-in-white made of aluminum, complemented by air suspension with 80mm ride-height adjustment, front double wishbone, and rear multi-link suspension.
- Powertrain (BEV): Offers dual-motor and tri-motor options, with the tri-motor variant delivering up to 903 horsepower and a 0-100 km/h acceleration of 3.99 seconds. It is equipped with a large-capacity 120 kWh battery pack.
- Powertrain (EREV): Utilizes a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine as a generator combined with dual electric motors, providing a comprehensive CLTC range of up to 1,405 kilometers.
- Smart Cockpit: Powered by HarmonyOS 4.0, featuring a triple-screen dashboard (12.3-inch instrument, 15.6-inch central, 16-inch passenger), a 75-inch AR-HUD, and an optional 32-inch retractable laser projector for rear passengers.
- Autonomous Driving System: Integrates Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5, which includes six LiDARs (with an optional 896-channel image-grade LiDAR), 5 4D imaging radars, 12 ultrasonic radars, and 11 cameras, enabling nationwide map-free intelligent driving and advanced parking functions.
- Aerodynamics: Achieves a low drag coefficient of 0.264 Cd for the EV version.
- Safety: Incorporates a "Xuanwu Armor Body" and an all-aluminum chassis, earning a five-star C-NCAP safety rating and achieving an 82.7 km/h Moose Test result.
Future ImplicationsAI analysis grounded in cited sources
The AITO M9's success will intensify competition in the high-end smart SUV market in China.
Its strong sales performance and advanced features are setting new benchmarks, compelling other luxury brands and domestic EV manufacturers to accelerate their innovation in smart technologies and performance.
Huawei's deep involvement in AITO will solidify its position as a leading technology provider for the automotive industry, rather than a direct car manufacturer.
Huawei's strategy is to empower automakers with its intelligent and electric vehicle technologies (HarmonyOS, ADS, DriveONE platform), as seen in its collaborations beyond Seres, influencing the broader EV ecosystem.
The AITO M9's value proposition will pressure traditional luxury automakers to re-evaluate their pricing and technology integration strategies in the Chinese market.
The M9 offers 'Bentley-level appointments for a fraction of the price' and is already outselling legacy luxury brands in China, indicating a shift in consumer perception and expectations for luxury EVs.
Timeline
2021-12
AITO brand launched by Seres Group in collaboration with Huawei, with the AITO M5 being the first vehicle.
2023-04
Pre-orders for the first generation AITO M9 began.
2023-12
First generation AITO M9 officially launched in China, with prices ranging from 469,800 to 569,800 RMB.
2024-02
Deliveries of the AITO M9 officially began.
2025-03
An updated 2025 model year AITO M9 was launched, featuring four LiDARs and a starting price of 469,800 yuan.
2026-03
Cumulative deliveries of the AITO M9 series surpassed 280,000 units.
2026-05
New generation AITO M9 officially launched with a starting price of 479,800 RMB.
- 2021-12AITO brand launched by Seres Group in collaboration with Huawei, with the AITO M5 being the first vehicle.
- 2023-04Pre-orders for the first generation AITO M9 began.
- 2023-12First generation AITO M9 officially launched in China, with prices ranging from 469,800 to 569,800 RMB.
- 2024-02Deliveries of the AITO M9 officially began.
- 2025-03An updated 2025 model year AITO M9 was launched, featuring four LiDARs and a starting price of 469,800 yuan.
- 2026-03Cumulative deliveries of the AITO M9 series surpassed 280,000 units.
- 2026-05New generation AITO M9 officially launched with a starting price of 479,800 RMB.
Sources (26)
Factual claims are grounded in the sources below. Forward-looking analysis is AI-generated interpretation.
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