Chinese state-owned automaker SAIC Motor launched the Shangjie new energy vehicle (NEV) brand this week, in partnership with local technology giant Huawei Technologies.

SAIC Motor is the latest automaker to join Huawei's Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, which also includes the Aito brand developed with Seres Group, the Luxeed with Chery Automobile, Stelato with BAIC Group, and Maextro with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC).

The head of Huawei's consumer business, Richard Yu, confirmed that the first model to be co-developed under the new “Shangjie” brand is scheduled to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2025. He pointed out that the two partners are still working on completing the final details of the new model, including styling, intelligent cockpit and smart driving technologies, as well as manufacturing facilities and sales/aftermarket networks.

Production will initially take place at an existing SAIC Motor facility in Shanghai, with a dedicated facility to be built later on.

SAIC Motor confirmed it has aside an initial investment of CNY6 billion (US$816 million) to bring the first model to market, with a total of 5,000 personnel involved in the project. The company’s president, Jia Jianxu, told reporters “we will do everything to ensure Shangjie is a success.”

SAIC Motor has struggled to keep up with other domestic brands in China’s fast-growing new energy vehicle market, having been overtaken as China’s leading vehicle manufacturer by BYD and Geely in the last two years.