Huawei-Backed AITO M9 Hits 35,000 Pre-Orders in Days

Huawei's Flagship SUV Racks Up 35,000 Pre-Orders

Huawei's smart vehicle brand AITO has crossed 35,000 cumulative pre-orders for its next-generation M9 series, just days after reservations opened on April 22. The luxury SUV lineup starts at 499,800 yuan (approximately $69,000) and represents Huawei's most ambitious push yet into the premium EV market.

The milestone was shared by well-known industry blogger @我鸿 on May 3 and confirmed by listings on Huawei's official website, where pre-orders are now live.

What Makes the Next-Gen M9 Stand Out

Richard Yu, Huawei's Managing Director and Chairman of the Consumer BG, has described the vehicle as 'not an upgrade, but a complete reconstruction.' He claims it packs over 140 innovative technologies across the platform.

The standard M9 features an impressive spec sheet:

• 6 LiDAR sensors with Huawei's debut ADS 5.0 autonomous driving system
• 800V high-voltage platform across all trims
• Dual-chamber, dual-valve air suspension with rear-wheel steering
• Extended-range options with 60 kWh or 75 kWh batteries; pure electric with 120 kWh
• First 100 display units already arriving at dealerships nationwide in China

Ultra-Premium 'Ultimate' Trim Targets Luxury Buyers

For buyers seeking the top tier, the M9 Ultimate Extended Wheelbase Edition starts at 669,800 yuan (roughly $93,000). This variant adds a 2.0-liter turbocharged range extender, a tri-motor powertrain for the extended-range version, and steer-by-wire technology — a feature typically reserved for six-figure European luxury vehicles.

The Ultimate trim also gets exclusive exterior design elements and what Huawei calls a 'luxury cockpit experience,' signaling a direct challenge to brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Tesla's Model X.

Huawei's Growing Automotive Ambitions

The strong pre-order numbers underscore Huawei's rapidly expanding role in China's auto industry. Operating under the Hongmeng Smart Mobility (鸿蒙智行) brand, Huawei partners with automakers to provide intelligent driving systems, cockpit software, and powertrain technology.

The original AITO M9, launched in late 2023, became one of China's best-selling luxury SUVs, helping Huawei validate its 'smart car' strategy. This next-generation model doubles down on that success with significantly upgraded autonomous driving capabilities through ADS 5.0 — Huawei's latest full-stack self-driving solution.

What to Watch Next

Huawei has teased that 'more surprises' will be revealed ahead of the official launch. Pricing, final specs, and delivery timelines for global or regional markets remain unconfirmed.

With 35,000 pre-orders already secured and showroom vehicles rolling out across China, the next-gen M9 is poised to be a major revenue driver for Huawei's automotive division in 2025. Western automakers competing in China's premium EV segment should take note — Huawei is no longer just a tech company dabbling in cars.