Huawei’s 2025 “Four Worlds” Product Plan Predictions: Aiming to Compete with BYD, How Ambitious is Huawei?
As 2024 comes to a close, a new chapter awaits the vibrant Chinese automobile market. Huawei, a unique player among Chinese automakers, has not ventured into car manufacturing directly but has undeniably become an influential force in the automotive world.
Currently, Huawei’s HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility Alliance powers its “Smart Selection Car” models under “Four Worlds(ASML)”: AITO (in partnership with SERES), Luxeed (with Chery), Stelato (with BAIC), and Maextro (with JAC). The company is focusing its efforts on these four series only. In November 2024,HarmonyOS-enabled cars delivered 41,900 units, maintaining the highest average transaction price among Chinese car brands for seven consecutive months.
Product Plans for the Four Brands in 2025
How will these four brands develop their product lines in 2025, and how can they avoid internal competition? Currently, each brand has a clear positioning:
- AITO: Focuses on family-oriented vehicles.
- Luxeed:Targets sporty and performance-oriented cars.
- Stelato: Aimed at executive vehicles.
- Maextro:Specializes in ultra-luxury models.
AITO: Expanding the Family Lineup
AITO currently offers three models: the M5, M7, and M9. Both the M5 and M7 experienced initial sales booms but later faced competition from Li Auto. The M9 remains AITO’s best-seller. The upcoming M8, a smaller version of the M9, has already been unveiled.
Future AITO offerings may include:
- M4: An entry-level compact SUV.
- S5: A compact sedan.
- S6: A mid-size sedan.
Luxeed: Strengthening the Sporty Lineup
Luxeed’s current lineup includes the R7 sedan and the S7 coupe-style SUV, emphasizing sporty handling and performance to distinguish it from AITO. The R7 has received over 40,000 pre-orders, while the S7’s sales have been less impressive.
Future models may include:
- S7 GT: A sportier coupe version of the S7.
- Two rugged SUVs to compete with Great Wall’s Tank series and BYD’s Leopard
Stelato: Enhancing the Business Segment
Stelato currently offers the S9, a C-class sedan aimed at the business market. Since its launch, cumulative sales have reached 1,816 units, with monthly sales of 758 units in October and 1,058 units in November. While sales figures are modest, they align with its premium pricing.
Potential future models:
- S9 GT: A coupe-style version of the S9.
- R8 and S8: Sedans and SUVs with a business focus.
Among the four brands, Stelato’s positioning may appear less distinct, which could lead to overlap with other brands.
Maextro: Leading the Ultra-Luxury Segment
Maextro targets the highest-end market. Its flagship model, the S800, is based on the second-generation version of the Turing platform and is expected to be priced between ¥1 million and ¥1.5 million. The S800 features a 1.5T range extender and measures over 5.3 meters in length, classifying it as an executive sedan.
Future offerings may include:
- SUVs and MPVs, all likely within the million-yuan price range.
Comprehensive Product Lineup and Market Impact
Huawei’s “Four Worlds” strategy aims to cover everything from A-class to D-class vehicles, sedans to SUVs and MPVs, and urban to off-road models. Once established, this comprehensive lineup will create significant pressure on high-end products from brands like BYD, Geely, and Great Wall.
Although Huawei does not manufacture cars directly, its influence in the automotive industry will only grow stronger in the coming years. Both car manufacturers and automotive intelligence providers may need to reassess their strategies to navigate the evolving landscape shaped by Huawei’s ambitious plans.
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