Farsight Report, September 27: AITO officially announced via its Weibo account that the much-anticipated AITO New M8 will commence pre-sales on September 30. Highlighting the collaborative spirit, AITO emphasized that the New M8 is a brainchild co-designed and co-developed by Seres and Huawei. This milestone marks the debut of a new model entering the pre-sale phase following a strategic adjustment in their cooperation model.

The AITO New M8 has already started to capture the public's imagination, boasting two fresh color options: Sky Blue and Jungle Green. Maintaining its versatility, the new model offers both extended-range and pure electric powertrain choices. Its dimensions are impressive, with a length of 5190mm, width of 1999mm, height of 1795mm, and a wheelbase of 3105mm. Customers can choose between five-seat and six-seat configurations. According to MIIT filing details, the pure electric version will sport a dual-motor setup at both the front and rear.

The AITO official website reveals that the New M8 is outfitted with Huawei's cutting-edge ADS 5 intelligent driving system and an omnidirectional stereo fusion sensing system. However, it's worth noting that some features will necessitate subsequent OTA updates or additional payments. The final configuration will be unveiled at the pre-sale launch event and confirmed upon vehicle delivery.

While the product specifications of the New M8 are noteworthy, the cooperation background between Seres and Huawei has garnered even more attention. On September 15, Harmony Intelligent Mobility and AITO announced a restructuring of their cooperation model. AITO will remain an integral part of the Harmony Intelligent Mobility ecosystem, but Seres will now take the lead in product definition, design, brand marketing, channel retail, and service systems, with Huawei's consumer business group providing crucial support. This shift signifies that Seres now enjoys more comprehensive operational control, albeit with increased direct market pressure, compared to Huawei's previous deep involvement in product development and operations.

This transformation subsequently ignited discussions about a potential "breakup" and "de-Huaweification." On September 22, Seres Chairman Zhang Xinghai clarified that the two entities are "not breaking up" but rather elevating their cooperation model. Seres also reiterated that Huawei's advanced technologies, such as the ADS 5 intelligent driving system and Harmony cockpit, will continue to be integrated into AITO models. Moreover, existing models' OTA updates and user benefits will remain untouched.

Although the dynamics between Seres and Huawei have evolved, the essence of these changes lies in the redistribution of operational responsibilities rather than the cessation of technical collaboration. The AITO New M8, a joint development by both parties but launched under Seres' newly assumed brand leadership, embodies a distinct transitional phase. While it may not yet fully gauge Seres' prowess in independently defining products, it will initially evaluate Seres' execution efficiency post-handover of marketing, channels, and services.

For AITO, September 30 holds significance beyond just the pre-sale price and order volume. It presents an opportunity to observe whether the brand can sustain technological innovation, channel engagement, and high-end user trust in the absence of Huawei's comprehensive leadership. The New M8 serves as the inaugural report card for the new division of labor between the two entities, yet it does not represent the final verdict.