In a significant strategic shift, Huawei is reportedly moving towards a lighter asset model in its collaboration with Seres, the manufacturer behind the AITO brand. Sources close to the matter suggest that the ‘smart selection’ vehicle partnership model between the tech giant and the automaker will undergo adjustments this week.
Huawei’s Evolving Role in Smart Car Partnerships
Under the new arrangement, Huawei will transition from a leading role in product, marketing, sales, and service aspects of the partnership to an empowering one. Seres is expected to take the helm in these operational areas, while Huawei will continue to provide its technological prowess and ecosystem support. This adjustment signifies a move for Huawei to leverage its resources more broadly across its expanding automotive ventures.
HarmonyOS Intelligent Drive Focuses on Broader Brand Expansion
The primary objective behind this strategic realignment is to enable HarmonyOS Intelligent Drive (鸿蒙智行) to concentrate its resources more effectively. The goal is to accelerate the success of its other burgeoning brands, namely Luxeed (智界), Reve (享界), Voiser (尊界), and E-Stray (尚界). By empowering Seres to manage the day-to-day operations of their joint venture, Huawei aims to solidify the industry and market standing of the HarmonyOS Intelligent Drive ecosystem as a whole.
Recent Performance Insights
Recent delivery figures provide some context for this strategic pivot. In August 2026, HarmonyOS Intelligent Drive reported a total delivery of 42,101 units, marking a year-on-year increase of 10.8%. Cumulatively, the HarmonyOS Intelligent Drive lineup has surpassed 1.52 million deliveries to date.
In contrast, Seres’s overall new energy vehicle sales for August 2026 stood at 24,244 units, a year-on-year decrease of 43.96%. Seres-branded vehicles specifically contributed 20,652 units to this figure, experiencing a more pronounced drop of 49.68% compared to the previous year.
Looking Ahead
This strategic shift underscores Huawei’s ambition to not only innovate in the automotive space but also to build a robust and diverse portfolio of smart vehicles powered by its HarmonyOS. By refining its partnership model, Huawei seeks to create a more agile and scalable approach to capturing market share across its different automotive brands, fostering a stronger presence in the rapidly evolving intelligent vehicle industry.
