Huawei has officially introduced a new automotive brand called “SAIC Shangjie” in collaboration with SAIC Motor. This partnership was solidified two months ago with a formal agreement to venture into the automobile industry together.
Richard Yu, the managing director and chairman of the terminal business group at Huawei, revealed the Shangjie brand during a recent product launch event for the company’s HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance) business. The primary goal of the new brand is to launch its first electric vehicle (EV) later this year.
Under the HIMA umbrella, Shangjie joins four other vehicle brands including Aito from Seres Group, Luxeed from Chery, Stelato from BAIC Group, and Maextro from Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC).
SAIC president Jia Jianxu announced that Shangjie will have an initial investment of RMB 6 billion ($820 million) and a team of over 5,000 individuals dedicated to the brand. The new brand will make use of SAIC’s advanced production lines and will eventually have its own exclusive factory. Jia also confirmed that Shangjie is on track to release its first model within the year.
Emphasizing on style, technology, and providing a high-quality travel experience for users, Shangjie aims to cater to a younger demographic. The partnership between SAIC and Huawei, which was established in February in Shanghai, covers various aspects such as product definition, manufacturing, supply chain management, sales, and service in the EV sector.
Although specific details about the first model of the collaboration were not disclosed, local reports suggest that it will be priced around RMB 150,000, positioning it as the most affordable model under the HIMA umbrella. The initial model is expected to be based on SAIC sub-brand Roewe’s new car internally known as “ES39.”
All Shangjie models will be distributed through HIMA’s channels, ensuring a seamless integration into the market. The joint venture between SAIC and Huawei signifies a major step towards innovation and advancement in the automotive industry, promising a new era of electric vehicles with cutting-edge technology and design.
