AutoBeta(AutoBeta.net)09/06 Report--

On Sept. 6, at Huawei's flagship summer product launch event, Huawei consumer business CEO and smart car solution BU CEO Yu Chengdong hosted and unveiled M5 EV, the first pure electric model of the AITO brand, which launched only two models, with a standard version priced at 288600 yuan and a performance version priced at 319800 yuan. At the press conference, Yu Chengdong compared the M5 EV with Tesla Model Y many times, and used the words "far ahead" and "leading peers" many times.

As the first pure electric model under the AITO brand, its appearance is different from the M5 extended range version. Specifically, the new car uses a new front face design, and the M5 EV uses the classic closed front design of an all-electric car, officially known as the "shark nose" shape, with air ducts on both sides. In addition, the new headlamp group adopts a brand-new lamp cavity design, which is replaced with symmetrical and deep rectangular double lenses. The upper "7" LED daytime driving lights form a closed pattern with the lower decorative strip, and the lower part retains the intake grille.

From the side point of view, the new car uses a hidden door handle, with a new shape of large-size rims, the whole is relatively simple. The rear part of the car, the new car and the M5 extended range version has not changed significantly, it uses a penetrating taillight group, when the light is lit, the red AITO sign will also glow. In terms of size, the length, width and height of the interface M5 EV are 4785/1930/1620mm and wheelbase 2880mm respectively, which is not much different from the M5 extended range version. For comparison, the length, width and height of the extended version of the interface M5 are 4770/1930/1625mm and wheelbase 2880mm respectively.

In terms of interior decoration, the M5 EV as a whole follows the design style of the extended-range model, with a T-shaped center console layout and an embracing cockpit design, with a 10.4-inch full LCD dashboard and a 15.6-inch suspended central control screen. The new car will be equipped with Huawei's newly released third-generation Hongmeng OS smart driving cockpit, integrated in-screen card design interface, multi-task center, intelligent split screen, Smart Dock individual desktop and other human-computer interaction functions.

In other configurations, the new car is equipped with the industry's first nine-speed adjustable super queen mirror and the industry's first HUD highly intelligent adjustment function, the car is equipped with sound insulation, thermal insulation of a large area panoramic canopy, efficient water-cooled heat pump air conditioning and HUAWEI SOUND sound system.

In terms of power, the M5 EV offers optional two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models, in which the two-wheel drive version has a drive motor with the maximum power of 200kw, and the maximum motor power before and after the four-wheel drive version is 165kw and 200kw, respectively, and the zero acceleration time is 4.5 seconds. In terms of power batteries, the new car is equipped with lithium iron phosphate batteries, and the battery suppliers are Ningde Times New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. And Sichuan Times New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., the CLTC mileage has two options: 552km (four-wheel drive) and 620km (rear drive).

AITO is the latest car brand owned by Cyrus Group, which is jointly built with Huawei, which is responsible for R & D, production and delivery, while Huawei is responsible for brand sales channel promotion. However, AITO is more like a Huawei brand. At present, AITO has three models: the M5/M5 EV and the M7. Without any exception, Yu Chengdong hosts the new product launch, and Yu Chengdong speaks for the AITO on the social platform many times, which can be said to be the spokesman of the AITO brand, while Cyrus Group rarely promotes the AITO brand and is more like a behind-the-scenes worker.

Of course, Huawei's reputation on Chinese mainland is second to none, it is normal for Huawei to undertake brand promotion and marketing, and the cooperation between Selis Group and Huawei has undoubtedly proved to be successful. According to data released by the Selis Group, Selis sales in August 2022 increased by 1277.91% year-on-year to 10045 vehicles, and cumulative sales from January to August in 2022 increased by 1211.37% to 39433 vehicles. Yu Chengdong said that he plans to become a global TOP3 brand of new energy vehicles within five years.

Hugging Huawei's thighs is the only option for Cyrus. Not long ago, Zhang Xinghai, chairman of Selis Group, said publicly: "if BMW comes to talk to me about joint venture car construction at this time, I will not do anything, and I will unswervingly cooperate with Huawei across the border."

Cyrus uses Huawei technology to achieve high-end intelligent corner overtaking of new energy, but the intersecting model of the AITO brand is almost single-handedly built by Huawei, whether it is Huawei Hongmeng cockpit or Huawei Drive ONE pure electric drive platform, but also online and offline sales channels and core components, the success of AITO can not be separated from Huawei's support. If the AITO brand fades the aura of Huawei, Cyrus will immediately show its true colors.

No, Cyrus chose to cooperate with Huawei, which made the wisest decision, and no matter what happened in the future, Huawei pulled Cyrus out of the abyss and was the first car company to rely on Huawei to receive a dividend. However, in the eyes of other carmakers, the risks of such an approach are huge. Chen Hong, chairman of SAIC, once said: "Huawei's soul cannot be accepted. SAIC wants to hold its soul in its own hands", while Cyrus almost gave his soul to Huawei.

Welcome to subscribe to the WeChat public account "Automotive Industry Focus" to get the first-hand insider information on the automotive industry and talk about things in the automotive circle. Welcome to break the news! WeChat ID autoWechat