Huawei & SAIC’s New Brand Shangjie Teases First EV Ahead of Fall Launch
Shangjie, the newest automotive brand under the Huawei and SAIC Motor joint venture, has officially begun teasing its first electric vehicle (EV) — a smart SUV — as its fall debut approaches.
First Glimpse: An SUV with Smart Driving Tech
In its first-ever post on Weibo since launching its account last month, Shangjie shared a teaser poster revealing key features of the upcoming model:
- Body Type: SUV
- Roof-Mounted LiDAR: Signaling advanced autonomous driving capabilities
- Short Front Overhang: A compact, dynamic stance
- Traditional Door Handles: A notable choice, possibly hinting at affordable pricing — a contrast to the flush handles seen on many Chinese EVs
The teaser was further amplified by Huawei’s Richard Yu, who reshared it and confirmed the model will debut this fall, emphasizing its “powerful smart driving capabilities.”
Positioning Within Huawei’s HIMA Alliance
Shangjie is now the fifth brand under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), joining:
- Aito (Seres Group)
- Luxeed (Chery)
- Stelato (BAIC Group)
- Maextro (JAC Motors)
HIMA already offers eight EV models across its various brands, including:
- Aito M5 / M7 / M8 / M9
- Luxeed S7 / R7
- Stelato S9
- Maextro S800
Shangjie’s upcoming model will broaden HIMA’s reach, particularly in the entry-level to mid-range segment.
Built on SAIC’s Proven Production Capabilities
With an initial investment of RMB 6 billion (~$837 million), Shangjie will begin production using SAIC Motor’s most advanced and mature facilities, with plans to establish a dedicated manufacturing plant in the future, according to SAIC President Jia Jianxu.
Affordable EV with Premium Tech?
While no official specs or pricing have been announced yet, a Yicai report from February suggested the starting price could be around RMB 150,000 (~$21,000). If true, this would make Shangjie’s SUV the most affordable model within HIMA, potentially democratizing access to Huawei’s smart driving technology.
Spy Shots Reveal More
Alongside the teaser, spy photos of the Shangjie SUV have surfaced on Weibo, revealing additional exterior details and generating buzz within China’s EV community.
As the fall launch window approaches, all eyes will be on Shangjie to see whether it can deliver on its promise of high-tech, competitively priced smart EVs, and how it will stack up in China’s fast-moving and fiercely competitive electric vehicle landscape.