Industry dynamics

Huawei-backed AITO launches first all-electric model, M5 EV, to take on Tesla Model Y

Publishtime:1970-01-01 08:00:00 Views:23

The AITO M5 EV is available in two versions, targeting the market where the Tesla Model Y is located with a lower starting price of RMB 288,600 ($41,440).

The AITO M5 EV is priced lower than the Tesla Model Y in China, which is offered in three versions at RMB 316,900, 394,900 and 417,900 respectively.

Prior to the model, the two models of the AITO brand -- AITO M5 and AITO M7 -- were extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).

The AITO M5 EV is an all-electric version of the AITO M5 and is a mid-size SUV measuring 4,785 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width and 1,620 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,880 mm.

Its single-motor version is equipped with a rear-mounted electric motor with a maximum power of 200 kW and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in as fast as 7.1 seconds.

The dual-motor version of the model has an additional front motor with a maximum power of 165 kW and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in as little as 4.5 seconds.

Both versions are powered by a lithium iron phosphate battery with a capacity of 80 kWh, supplied by CATL.

For comparison, the three versions of the Tesla Model Y sold in China have a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.9 seconds, 5.0 seconds and 3.7 seconds, and a CLTC range of 545 km, 660 km and 615 km, respectively.

The AITO M5 EV is built on Huawei's DriveONE pure electric drive intelligent platform and is equipped with Huawei's DATS dynamic adaptive torque system with a road-aware response time as short as 4 ms, much lower than the 400 ms of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, according to Yu.

The model's smart cockpit is powered by Huawei's system and is the first all-electric model to feature HarmonyOS 3, which enables seamless connectivity between the phone and vehicle screen.

The model is available in six exterior color options as well as four interior color options.

AITO is a premium car brand launched by Huawei and Seres on December 2 last year. It launched the AITO M5 on December 23 last year and the AITO M7 on July 4 this year.

Deliveries of the AITO M5 began in March of this year and the AITO M7 was delivered for the first time on August 24.

AITO delivered 10,045 vehicles in August, marking the first time it has exceeded 10,000 deliveries, up 39 percent from 7,228 in July, according to data it announced earlier this month.

Huawei-backed AITO delivers 10,045 vehicles in Aug, to launch M5 EV on Sept 6