Huawei Sells EV Brand Aito’s Trademarks, Patents to Partner

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Visitors check out the Aito M9 at the Hainan International Auto Show on March 21. Photo: VCG

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. is selling the trademarks and patents of Aito, the premium electric vehicle (EV) brand it co-developed with Seres Group Co. Ltd. to the Chinese carmaker, as it steps back from the brand.

Seres Group (601127.SH) subsidiary Seres Auto is planning to spend 2.5 billion yuan ($343.7 million) acquiring 919 registered or pending trademarks of Aito-related characters and graphics, as well as 44 exterior design patents held by Huawei, according to a stock exchange filing Wednesday.

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Huawei is selling Aito trademarks and patents to Seres Group for 2.5 billion yuan ($343.7 million).
The sale indicates Huawei’s shift to focusing on smart driving technologies and its Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance.
Aito sold 31,727 cars in March 2024, contributing to Seres turning a net profit in Q1 2024.

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Who’s Who

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. is selling the trademarks and patents of the Aito EV brand, which it co-developed with Seres Group Co. Ltd., to the latter. This move indicates Huawei's shift from direct involvement in auto manufacturing to focusing on its Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, emphasizing its role as a smart driving technology supplier. Despite the sale, Huawei will continue supporting Seres in building and selling Aito cars.

Seres Group Co. Ltd.: Seres Group Co. Ltd. (601127.SH) is a Chinese carmaker and the first Smart Selection partner of Huawei. In collaboration with Huawei, it launched the Seres SF5 in 2021 and later co-developed the Aito brand. Seres' revenue grew 5.09% in 2023 to 35.8 billion yuan, largely driven by strong sales of new-energy vehicles. The company turned a net profit in Q1 2024, aided by robust sales of Aito cars.

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