The Maextro S800, a luxury sedan jointly developed by Huawei and JAC, made its debut on May 30 with a starting price of RMB 708,000 ($98,360). This new vehicle is part of the Maextro brand, a collaboration between Chinese tech giant Huawei and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC). The launch event was a huge success, with over 2,600 firm orders secured within 72 hours of its introduction.
The Maextro S800 offers both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) options, catering to different consumer preferences. Despite being a high-end luxury sedan, the starting price of RMB 708,000 is significantly lower than the previously anticipated range of RMB 1 million to RMB 1.5 million. This competitive pricing strategy has resonated well with customers, leading to a surge in orders.
Richard Yu, Huawei’s executive director and chairman of the consumer business Group, revealed that within one hour of its launch, the Maextro S800 received over 1,000 firm orders. Interestingly, 70 percent of customers opted for the top-of-the-line version, which exceeded RMB 1 million in price. This indicates a strong demand for premium electric vehicles in the Chinese market.
The success of the Maextro brand is part of the larger Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) business, which includes other brands like BAIC Group’s Stelato, Seres Group’s Aito, Chery’s Luxeed, and SAIC Motor’s Shangjie. In May, HIMA models delivered a record-breaking 44,454 units, showcasing the growing popularity of electric vehicles in China.
Among the HIMA models, the Aito M9, Aito M8, Aito M7, Aito M5, and Luxeed R7 all contributed significantly to the high delivery numbers in May. The Stelato S9 also performed well, delivering over 2,000 units during the month. These figures underscore the strong performance of electric vehicle brands under the HIMA umbrella.
Overall, the launch of the Maextro S800 and the impressive delivery numbers for HIMA models in May highlight the growing influence of electric vehicles in the Chinese automotive market. With innovative technology and competitive pricing, brands like Maextro are poised to make a significant impact in the luxury sedan segment.
