AITO to withdraw from Huawei stores and HarmonyOS Smart Mobility by January 2027
Multiple dealers have been informed by Huawei that starting January 1, 2027, the AITO brand will withdraw from HarmonyOS Smart Mobility and Huawei exclusive stores. Dealers may independently choose to represent Huawei, HarmonyOS Smart Mobility (four other brands), or AITO. AITO will retain delivery centers for after-sales support. Seres has denied the full exit, stating some stores will continue selling AITO vehicles. Huawei has not officially responded.
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Cross-source coverage
Common ground
- Both sides agree that Western sanctions and geopolitical pressure are real factors forcing Huawei to restructure its car business.
- Both acknowledge that Huawei needs to avoid being classified as a car manufacturer to protect its core chip and telecom businesses.
- Both recognize that AITO's sales have grown significantly since Huawei stepped in, from 8,000 to 140,000 vehicles annually.
Points of contention
- Eastern Agent sees the restructuring as a voluntary, strategic evolution, while Neutral Agent views it as a costly, defensive move to fix a branding mistake.
- Eastern Agent argues this move builds trust with global automakers, but Neutral Agent says it signals instability and uncertainty to partners like Volkswagen.
- Eastern Agent calls the separation 'capacity building' for Seres, but Neutral Agent says Seres is still dependent on Huawei's technology and can't stand alone.
- Eastern Agent dismisses short-term sales drops as temporary, while Neutral Agent says losing 73% of test drives from phone stores is a major blow that can't be replaced quickly.
Blind spots
- Both sides overlook how the other four HarmonyOS brands (Chery, BAIC, etc.) will struggle with shared showrooms and internal competition.
- Neither fully addresses the financial strain on Seres, which has an 8.2% gross margin and may not afford its own retail network without Huawei's help.
- The debate ignores the consumer experience—how buyers will adapt to separate stores and whether brand loyalty will survive the split.
WorldAttention’s read
This debate shows that Huawei's decision to separate AITO from its stores is a high-stakes gamble. Eastern Agent frames it as a brilliant long-term strategy to become a neutral tech supplier and outmaneuver Western sanctions, while Neutral Agent sees it as a costly fix for a branding error that risks losing sales and confusing partners. Both agree that sanctions are a major factor, but they disagree on whether Huawei is in control or just reacting. The real test will be whether AITO can survive without Huawei's foot traffic and whether other automakers will trust Huawei as a behind-the-scenes supplier. In the end, this is a calculated trade-off: short-term pain for a shot at becoming the Android of smart vehicles, but the outcome is far from certain.
Reporting timeline
AITO cars to exit Huawei stores, leaving owners confused about brand future
According to a NetEase self-media commentary, AITO vehicles will officially withdraw from HarmonyOS Smart Mobility and Huawei exclusive stores. Huawei has handed over all product development, marketing, sales, and services for AITO to Seres, retaining only technology output. The author, 'Sister Cat,' claims this severance is swift and that AITO cars will soon be hard to find in Huawei showrooms. The commentary notes that while Huawei states AITO remains a member of the HarmonyOS Smart Mobility family, the relationship has fundamentally changed, with Huawei's 'biological children' models (Zunjie, Xiangjie, Zhijie, Shangjie) receiving full Huawei-led collaboration. The author speculates that Seres may gain more autonomy and avoid hefty fees but questions whether Seres can sell cars independently. Reports of order cancellations and falling resale values for AITO cars are cited. The author suggests the AITO team should focus on selling cars after leaving Huawei stores rather than filing complaints.
Read sourceSeres Denies AITO Exit From Huawei Stores, Says Some Will Continue Sales
On September 17, reports emerged that AITO would officially withdraw from HarmonyOS Smart Mobility and Huawei exclusive stores starting January 1 next year, with dealers independently choosing to represent Huawei, HarmonyOS Smart Mobility, or AITO. Seres (601127.SH) denied this information to Red Star Capital Bureau, stating that 'some stores will be retained,' meaning certain HarmonyOS Smart Mobility and Huawei exclusive stores will continue selling AITO vehicles. On September 15, Seres and Huawei announced adjustments to their strategic cooperation model, giving Seres greater autonomy and decision-making power. Under the new model, product definition, design, marketing, channel retail, and service systems will be led by Seres, with Huawei Terminal participating in empowerment. AITO remains a core member of the HarmonyOS Smart Mobility family and will adopt an exclusive dealership model. Other brands under HarmonyOS Smart Mobility—Maextro, Stelato, Luxeed, and Shangjie—will continue with Huawei fully leading the cooperation. Huawei has not withdrawn from AITO, and AITO vehicles will still be available in Huawei's mall-based stores.
Read sourceHuawei Exclusive Stores to Split in January: AITO Solo, Four Other Brands Together
According to a report from Jin10 Data on September 17, citing sources familiar with the matter, Huawei's exclusive stores will be officially divided into two categories starting January 1 next year. One category will be dedicated exclusively to AITO vehicles, while the other will offer a mix of the other four brands under the HarmonyOS Smart Mobility umbrella. The division is set to be fully implemented on January 1. The report follows earlier claims that AITO is withdrawing from HarmonyOS Smart Mobility and Huawei exclusive stores. Huawei has not yet responded to these developments. The information was originally reported by Yicai.
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AITO to Withdraw from HarmonyOS Smart Mobility and Huawei Stores by January 2027
According to Jin10 Data, citing multiple dealers, Huawei has informed them that starting January 1, 2027, the AITO brand will officially withdraw from the HarmonyOS Smart Mobility ecosystem and Huawei exclusive stores. Dealers will be given the option to independently choose to represent the Huawei brand, the HarmonyOS Smart Mobility platform (which includes four other brands), or the AITO brand. AITO will retain its existing delivery centers to continue supporting after-sales service and vehicle deliveries. If a dealer chooses to operate solely under the HarmonyOS Smart Mobility brand, it will maintain the direct-operation model. Huawei has not yet responded to this report from Jiemian. The move marks a significant restructuring of Huawei's automotive retail strategy, separating the AITO brand from its direct sales channels.
AITO to Withdraw from HarmonyOS Smart Mobility and Huawei Stores by 2027
According to a Cailian Press report dated September 17, Jiemian News learned from Huawei’s channel partners that multiple dealers have been notified by Huawei that starting January 1, 2027, AITO will officially exit the HarmonyOS Smart Mobility alliance and Huawei retail stores. Dealers will independently choose to represent Huawei, HarmonyOS Smart Mobility (the other four brands), or the AITO brand. AITO will retain its existing delivery centers to support vehicle after-sales services and deliveries. If dealers opt to carry only HarmonyOS Smart Mobility products, they will maintain the direct-operation model. As of press time, Huawei has not responded to this news. The report was filed by Jiemian News reporter Li Jiaqi.
Read sourceAITO to Withdraw from HarmonyOS Smart Mobility and Huawei Stores on January 1, 2027
According to Jiemian News, citing Huawei's distribution channels, multiple dealers have been informed by Huawei that starting January 1, 2027, the AITO brand will officially withdraw from HarmonyOS Smart Mobility and Huawei exclusive stores. Following the withdrawal, dealers will independently choose to represent either the Huawei brand, the HarmonyOS Smart Mobility ecosystem (which includes four other brands), or the AITO brand itself. AITO will retain its existing delivery centers to support ongoing vehicle operations. The report is attributed to Jiemian News and was published on East Money's financial news platform. The announcement marks a significant shift in the partnership structure between Huawei and AITO, affecting dealership networks and brand representation.
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