Aito Opens Pre-Sales for Updated M8 SUV as Seres Takes Lead in Huawei Partnership

• The updated Aito M8 starts at 389,800 yuan ($57,880) in pre-sales, 30,000 yuan above its predecessor's starting price.
• The updated M8 offers up to 830 km of CLTC range for the BEV version and 1,435 km of combined range for the EREV version.

Aito, the brand jointly developed by Huawei and Seres (HKEX: 9927), opened pre-sales for the updated M8 on Wednesday, starting at 389,800 yuan ($57,880), with upgrades to the large SUV's driver assistance, powertrain and chassis systems.

The pre-sales starting price is 30,000 yuan above the previous model's starting list price of 359,800 yuan. In China, prices at a new model's official launch are typically lower than pre-sales prices.

The model continues to offer extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) options, with 5-seat and 6-seat configurations.

The update comes as Seres reshapes its partnership with Huawei, with Seres taking the lead in the Aito brand's operations from Huawei.

The partners reiterated that the updated M8 was jointly designed and developed by Seres and Huawei, and that Aito remains a member of the Huawei-led HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance).

Seres said investment in the M8 upgrade totaled 1.5 billion yuan, covering exterior styling, the cabin, space, smart features, powertrains and the chassis.

The updated M8's dimensions remain unchanged at 5,190 mm long, 1,999 mm wide and 1,795 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,105 mm. Exterior updates include 2 new colors and additional wheel options.

The cabin adds 2 new color schemes, along with redesigned screen bezels, ambient lighting and an updated audiovisual system.

The 6-seat version can be equipped with 3 zero-gravity seats, while passenger and storage space have also been optimized.

The model features Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5 driver assistance system and a new-generation omnidirectional sensor fusion system. All variants come standard with an architecture designed for future Level 3 autonomous driving.

Both EREV and BEV options remain available, with an 800 V architecture now used across the lineup.

The updated M8 offers up to 830 kilometers of CLTC range for the BEV version and 1,435 kilometers of combined range for the EREV version.

Chassis upgrades include the addition of rear-wheel steering, along with dual-chamber air suspension and dual-valve dampers.

HIMA announced on September 15 that Aito would explore a new partnership model within the alliance, led by Seres and supported by Huawei, covering product definition, design, marketing, retail and service.

The change will expand Seres' role in managing the brand beyond its existing manufacturing responsibilities. HIMA stressed in its statement that Aito remains an alliance member and that customers' existing benefits and subsequent services would be unaffected.

The M8 is among Aito's key models. It launched in April 2025, initially only as an EREV, with the BEV version following in August last year.

Cumulative M8 deliveries exceeded 180,000 as of August 6. However, monthly sales declined for 4 consecutive months, falling to 1,435 in August, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.