Huawei and M Hero are still discussing specific partnership models, with those based on parts supply or the HI model being prioritized.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

Huawei has entered into a strategic partnership with Dongfeng Motor's premium electric off-road brand M Hero, after it struck a deal with the automaker's Voyah brand a month ago.

M Hero and Huawei recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement that will see the two build a smart car industry ecosystem, Huawei's intelligent vehicle solutions business unit said in a press release today.

M Hero, China's first luxury electric off-road brand, is committed to becoming a leader in luxury electric off-road culture, and Huawei has deep technological accumulations and strengths in the fields of smart connectivity and intelligent driving, the tech giant said.

The two companies will work together to promote the commercialization of Huawei's smart car solutions and help M Hero become a leader in building China's luxury electric off-road culture, Huawei said.

(Image credit: Huawei)

Dongfeng officially launched the M Hero brand on August 27, 2022, along with two concept vehicles under the brand, the M-Terrain and the M-Terrain S.

In August 2023, M Hero's first model, the M-917, went on sale, offering a battery electric vehicle (BEV) version and an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version, with starting prices of RMB 697,700 ($97,060) and RMB 637,700 yuan, respectively.

Huawei's press release doesn't mention how it and M Hero will work together, but according to local media outlet National Business Daily, the two companies are still discussing cooperation models, with priority given to those based on parts supply or the HI (Huawei Inside) model.

The exact cooperation between the two will be negotiated based on the actual situation of future product and technology development, the report said, citing a source at M Hero.

Huawei has three types of cooperation with car companies, of which the model of launching a new brand to jointly build cars is the one it is most involved in, which is known as Zhixuan.

In the least involved model, the tech giant only provides components and the HarmonyOS system.

In the middle of the spectrum is the "Huawei Inside" model, where Huawei provides full-stack smart car solutions, including smart cockpits and smart driving, to automakers.

Currently, Huawei has partnered with automakers including Seres, Chery, Changan, and JAC, with Huawei and Seres jointly building the Aito brand based on the Zhixuan model.

On January 22, Voyah announced that it had signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Huawei to create a smart mobility experience, without providing further details.

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