Huawei-backed Aito officially launches M9 SUV: Prices start at $65,750, volume deliveries to begin in Feb

Available in both EREV and BEV versions, the Aito M9 is expected to compete with Li Auto's Li L9 and Nio's ES8.

(Image credit: Aito)

Aito, the new energy vehicle (NEV) brand backed by Chinese tech giant Huawei, has officially launched the Aito M9, a flagship SUV that has garnered 54,000 pre-orders since pre-sales began on September 25.

Richard Yu, head of Huawei's automotive business, rolled out the model, which is available in both extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) versions and battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions, at a launch event today.

The Aito M9 EREV is available in Max and Ultra versions, with starting prices of RMB 469,800 ($65,750) and RMB 529,800, respectively.

The Aito M9 BEV is also available in Max and Ultra versions, with starting prices of RMB 509,800 and RMB 569,800 respectively.

The Aito M9 EREV is expected to compete with Li Auto's (NASDAQ: LI) flagship SUV, the Li L9, which is available in two variants with starting prices of RMB 429,800 and RMB 459,800, respectively.

The Aito M9 BEV could compete with Nio's (NYSE: NIO) flagship SUV, the ES8, which is available in three variants starting at RMB 498,000, RMB 518,000 and RMB 598,000 respectively.

The Aito M9 measures 5,230 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width and 1,800 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,110 mm.

The Li L9 has a length, width and height of 5,218 mm, 1,998 mm, 1,800 mm and a wheelbase of 3,105 mm, while the Nio ES8 has a length, width and height of 5,099 mm, 1,989 mm, 1,750 mm and a wheelbase of 3,070 mm.

The Aito M9 EREV is powered by a 112-kW engine with a displacement of 1,499 ml. The model is also equipped with dual electric motors with peak power of 165 kW and 200 kW respectively. With this powertrain, the model can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

The Aito M9 BEV is powered by dual electric motors with peak power of 160 kW and 230 kW at the front and rear respectively, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.

Its EREV version offers 2 battery pack options with capacities of 42 kWh and 52 kWh, offering CLTC battery ranges of 225 km and 275 km respectively.

The combined range of the Aito M9 EREV is 1,362 km and 1,402 km on a full tank of fuel and full charge, respectively.

The Aito M9 BEV is powered by a 100-kWh battery pack with a CLTC range of 630 km, and is based on Huawei's Giant Whale 800 V high-voltage platform, which gives it a CLTC range of 150 km on a 5-minute charge.

Like many other EV makers today, Aito used one-piece die-casting technology on the M9's body, using a 9,000-ton die-casting machine to create some of the components.

Since pre-sales began on September 25, the Aito M9 has garnered about 54,000 pre-orders, Yu said at today's launch.

Customers who pay RMB 5,000 to order the model now will still get option benefits worth RMB 10,000.

Volume deliveries of the Aito M9 will begin on February 26, but until then, Aito is offering 2,000 first mover slots who can get deliveries starting January 26.

Aito is a premium car brand launched by local carmaker Seres Group in association with Huawei on December 2, 2021, and its first model, the Aito M5, was unveiled on December 23, 2021, available in both EREV and BEV versions.

On July 4, 2022, Aito launched its second model, the M7. On September 12 this year, the brand launched a new version of the M7, allowing for a significant price reduction. The M7 is only available in EREV versions.

The new Aito M7 has accumulated more than 12 firm orders since its launch, and monthly production capacity will be built to 30,000 units starting next January, Yu said.

($1 = RMB 7.1452)

Huawei-backed Aito delivers 18,827 vehicles in Nov, expects up to 23,000 in Dec