Aito, Huawei's EV Brand, Sets Sights on Europe for 2027 Debut

Aito, the premium electric vehicle marque forged through the partnership between Huawei and manufacturer Seres, is laying the groundwork to enter the European market in 2027, according to a report from Chinese outlet Cailian. The brand has reportedly kicked off the bureaucratic process for EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA), a critical regulatory step that allows vehicles to be sold across member states.

The company isn’t waiting quietly to make its presence known. Aito is set to display a quartet of SUVs—the Aito 6, Aito 7, Aito 8, and Aito 9—at the 2026 Paris Motor Show running from October 12 to 18. Seres confirmed the brand’s appearance at the event in a social media post, though it stopped short of sharing a specific timeline for European sales. This exhibition will serve as a high-profile audition for a brand largely unknown to Western drivers.

While the European strategy is fresh, Aito’s international ambitions are not. Earlier this year, the brand signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Performance Plus Motors, a subsidiary of UAE dealer Abu Dhabi Motors, to handle sales and after-sales services in the Emirates. Test drives for the flagship Aito 9, known domestically as the Aito M9, have already begun there, signaling a deliberate push into overseas markets. Seres itself previously entered Europe in 2023, delivering Seres 5 models in Norway, providing a logistical foundation for this broader expansion.

The move into Europe coincides with a deepening of the Huawei-Seres relationship. The two companies recently inked a new five-year agreement and announced the formation of a dedicated Aito team. Under a restructuring announced in mid-September, Seres is taking the operational lead on product, marketing, and retail networks, while Huawei continues to provide technological support through its Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). This setup underscores Huawei’s indirect but significant role in the global auto industry.

Aito’s timing is notable. European regulators are currently considering measures to curb imports of Chinese hybrid vehicles, a move that could complicate market entry for new brands. By pursuing full type approval now, Aito appears to be racing to establish a foothold before any potential trade barriers tighten further. However, the report does not specify which countries will receive the first shipments or how the SUVs will be priced against established European premium rivals.