Stelato, a brand created by Huawei and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), recently announced the start of pre-sales for the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variant of its flagship model, the Stelato S9. The pre-sales for the Stelato S9 EREV began at a Huawei product launch event with a starting price of RMB 318,000 ($43,900), which is 20.46 percent lower than the starting price of the BEV variant.
The Stelato S9 EREV, like the Aito M9, is a part of Huawei’s HIMA business. However, the sales performance of the Stelato S9 has not been as impressive as that of the Aito M9. The Stelato S9 EREV is set to be officially launched in April this year.
The sedan measures 5,160 mm long, 2,005 mm wide, and 1,486 mm high, with a wheelbase of 3,050 mm. The EREV variant offers a choice of battery packs with capacities of 37 kWh and 53.4 kWh, providing a CLTC battery range of up to 365 km. When fully charged, the Stelato S9 EREV boasts a combined range of 1,355 kilometers.
Equipped with four LiDARs and the Qiankun ADS 3.3 intelligent driving system, the Stelato S9 EREV promises advanced driving capabilities similar to the Aito M9.
Initially launched in August 2024, the Stelato S9 faced a slow start with only about 2,500 firm orders received within the first 24 hours. In response, Stelato introduced a new BEV variant in November 2024 with a starting price of RMB 429,800. Despite delivering 7,494 units in December, sales dropped significantly in January this year, with only 643 units delivered.
In comparison, the Aito M9 has been a success, with over 170,000 units delivered since its launch in February 2024. The disparity in sales performance between the two models highlights the challenges faced by Stelato in establishing itself in the competitive electric vehicle market.
With the launch of the Stelato S9 EREV at a lower price point, Stelato aims to attract more customers and improve its sales performance in the coming months. The new variant offers a compelling option for consumers looking for an electric sedan with extended range and advanced driving features.
