Gasgoo Munich- HIMA issued a formal response on July 19 to online skepticism sparked by a recent livestream test of the AITO M9’s electric driving range.
On July 14, HIMA conducted a livestream test for the new AITO M9 electric vehicle, completing a round trip between Chongqing and Chengdu without charging. The vehicle tested was the AITO M9 Ultra five-seat, four-wheel-drive electric version, which has a CLTC range of 715 km. The journey covered a round trip from Chongqing to Chengdu, lasting 7 hours and 36 minutes.
Conditions were demanding: outdoor temperatures reached 41°C, while the vehicle carried four adults and roughly 50 kg of camera equipment. The air conditioning was set to a constant 24°C throughout the drive. The company reported an actual driving distance of 630.6 km, representing an 88.1% range attainment rate and energy consumption of 17.8 kWh/100km.
Image Source: HIMA
Following the release of the results, questions about the test's authenticity arose online. Addressing suspicions that the footage might be pre-recorded—citing the clarity of the rear window view—the company clarified that the entire test was broadcast live with no pre-recorded segments.
Data points such as mileage, remaining battery, and outside temperature were updated every 30 minutes. The host frequently displayed real-time energy consumption and driving duration while answering viewer questions. The stream featured no editing or pre-recorded material, meaning all driving data and road conditions were verifiable in real time.
Responding to inquiries about the average speed of 85 km/h despite a 120 km/h speed limit, HIMA explained that the Chongqing-Chengdu route was not exclusively highway. It included urban sections and other road types. The average speed shown in the livestream was a composite figure; the actual average speed on highway sections reached 101.89 km/h. The mix of city commuting and long-distance highway driving was intended to simulate real-world daily usage.
Regarding whether the test vehicle was specially tuned, the company denied this, stating the car was a standard production model. HIMA welcomed third-party authorities to conduct open evaluations and encouraged users to visit retail stores for test drives.
HIMA also noted that the Ultra and Ultimate trims of the AITO M9 electric version are now priced the same as their extended-range counterparts. The livestream test aimed to give users a transparent look at the electric version's true range and overall capabilities.
