This year's edition of the Paris Motor Show brought a new name to the European public, but with colossal ambition in the luxury vehicle segment. It is the Chinese brand Aito (acronym for Adding Intelligence to Auto), a brand specialized in high-performance electric and electrified cars, developed in strategic partnership between the manufacturer Seres and the technology giant Huawei. The marked presence in the French capital was confirmed by a weighty announcement: Aito is preparing for an official launch on the European market in the fall of 2027, aiming to compete on an equal footing with established names such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
The brand name is not chosen by chance at all, emphasizing the transformation of the automobile from a simple means of transportation into an ultra-intelligent ecosystem.
● Strategic partnership: Through direct association with Huawei's software and technology ecosystem, Aito vehicles integrate state-of-the-art solutions, from advanced cabin operating systems to high-precision autonomous driving capabilities.
● Propulsion flexibility: The brand's officials emphasized that the strategy for the European market will rely on a flexible approach, offering customers the possibility to choose between pure electric versions (BEV) and variants equipped with range extender systems (EREV), thus responding to any type of mobility preference.
On the occasion of its European debut in Paris, Aito brought into the spotlight a complex range of SUVs that directly target segments currently dominated by elite German manufacturers.
● Aito M9: The brand's flagship, a large SUV (over 5.2 meters long), designed as a formidable rival for models such as the Audi Q9, BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. The model impresses with its 800V architecture, top dynamic performance and a digital cabin dominated by supreme comfort.
● Aito M6: A mid-sized SUV strategically placed in direct competition with successful electric vehicles in the premium segment, such as the BMW iX3.
● Aito M5: The most compact model in the range presented in Paris, designed to offer a dynamic and high-tech alternative to established sports utility vehicles, such as the Porsche Macan.
The Asian manufacturer's expansion plan includes, in the second phase of the European launch, an extended coverage that will gradually reach Eastern Europe, including the Romanian market, with the time horizon set for the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028.
Sales network: The introduction on the Romanian market will be based on establishing local partnerships with importers or large dealer groups specialized in the premium segment, ensuring both the sales infrastructure and authorized service centers for Huawei's complex technologies.
Estimated prices: The brand's positioning against German luxury brands indicates that Aito models will not be economical options, but high-class high-tech alternatives.
1. For the base model, the Aito M5, starting prices on the Romanian market are estimated to be in the range of 65,000 - 78,000 euros (VAT included).
2. The intermediate range represented by the Aito M6 will probably target a threshold of 85,000 - 105,000 euros.
3. The flagship Aito M9, depending on the battery version or the range extender system chosen, is expected to start from values between 115,000 and 140,000 euros, easily exceeding this threshold in the top configurations with 6 seats and exceptional comfort features.
Through the combination of next-generation electrified propulsion and intensive digitalization, Aito's arrival on the domestic market will shake up the luxury car segment, offering a new perspective on smart mobility.