BEIJING (Reuters) – BAIC BluePark New Energy Technology, the electric vehicle unit of Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC), plans to launch its first sedan this year in partnership with Huawei Technologies as Huawei enters the electric vehicle market.
The first model, developed jointly with Huawei, is due to appear on the Chinese market this year, BAIC BluePark said on Monday in response to an investor question.
The car will be a “high-end smart sedan that meets consumer demand for premium mobility,” the state-owned automaker added, without elaborating.
The collaboration signals wider adoption of Huawei electric vehicles as the Chinese tech giant, the target of US sanctions since 2019, makes inroads into the territory of established electric vehicle makers.
Aito, the electric vehicle brand founded by Huawei and automaker Seres in late 2021, overtook Li Auto (NASDAQ:) in sales for the first time in January, boosted by the unveiling of the facelifted M7 in September.
Huawei also built the S7 sedan with Chinese automaker Chery Auto under the new Luxeed brand, which it intends to compete with the Tesla Model S (NASDAQ:).
In November, Huawei announced plans to transfer the core technologies and resources of its four-year-old smart car unit to a new joint venture, up to 40% owned by automaker Changan Auto, which produces Avatr-branded cars with Huawei.
A shortage of a computing unit component that powers Huawei’s advanced driver-assistance systems has delayed deliveries of flagship models from some of its partners, including Changan, Chery and Seres, Reuters reported earlier this year.