Huawei jumps into the ‘electric car race’ with its own operating system and claims to beat Tesla

Huawei is a Chinese technology giant known for its telecommunications products and smartphones. Huawei says it will not make its own cars. Instead, the company collaborates on technology with automakers such as self-driving car technology.

During the new product launch event on December 23, Richard Yu, CEO in charge of Huawei’s consumer business group, unveiled the Aito M5 car that runs on electricity and gasoline. This is the first car to run on Huawei’s HarmonyOS operating system.

He also said the car will be officially delivered around February 20, after the Lunar New Year. An Aito M5 after accounting for subsidies will start at 250,000 yuan ($36,063). This price is lower than Tesla’s Model Y car, which starts at 280,752 yuan.

During the hour-long presentation, Yu said the Aito M5 offers better engine power and range than Tesla’s Model Y. This car is not completely electric because it has an extra fuel tank to keep moving when the battery runs out.

Start-up Li Auto also plans to extend petrol range for the Li One, the latest model listed for 338,000 yuan without subsidies.

Some other features of the Aito M5 are double-layer soundproof glass. “You’ll know if the car is premium or not by the sound,” says Yu. “We can provide a quiet library-like experience.”

Aito M5 is the first model under the Aito brand, which stands for “adding intelligence to auto”.The car is the product of Huawei’s cooperation with the manufacturer. Seres Automotive, also known as SF Motors, is a subsidiary of Silicon Valley-based automaker Sokon.

The integration of HarmonyOS with the new Seres cars in China is an important step forward. Many electric vehicle startups are trying to realize the idea of ​​​​making cars become more like smartphones in people’s daily lives. Aito will have touch screens to adjust car functions and utilities such as listening to music and watching movies. One of Huawei’s smartwatches can also be used as a key for the Aito M5.

Huawei launched its HarmonyOS operating system in 2019, after the former Trump administration blacklisted the company due to national security concerns. Huawei denies the accusations from the US.

The car showcase took place in the final hour of the two-and-a-half-hour event, including the introduction of a folding smartphone, new laptop, and smart glasses.

Several rounds of sanctions over the past three years have pushed the company into a “long winter”. “But despite those difficulties, we have won the support of consumers and partners around the globe,” said Mr. Yu.