Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SERES Group's recently filed prospectus shows that in the first half of 2025 the company paid 20 billion yuan in procurement fees to Huawei. Using AITO's sales as the yardstick, that works out to about 141,000 yuan per vehicle flowing to Huawei's technology and supply stack.
The bill covers Huawei's intelligent-vehicle solutions, key components, and related technology licensing and services — underscoring the depth and breadth of their partnership.
Photo: AITO
The hefty outlay is a snapshot of how the commercial relationship has deepened since the two sides launched their strategic partnership in 2021.
Public information indicates that from 2022 through the first half of 2025, SERES' cumulative procurement payments to Huawei have topped 75 billion yuan. At the time, SERES — in a pivotal transition — moved quickly with Huawei, which was seeking real-world applications in smart cars, to roll out the 'Huawei Smart Selection' model. By integrating Huawei's capabilities in intelligent cockpit, intelligent driving, and retail channels, SERES built out the AITO lineup and achieved a brand breakout.
AITO reached the 1 million deliveries milestone in 46 months, setting a new industry record; that market success also pushed procurement spending higher.
Addressing the close partnership and sizable procurement costs, SERES management has repeatedly explained the business logic. Chairman Zhang Xinghai has described the collaboration as an 'innovative cross-industry model,' arguing that Huawei's technology enablement and brand endorsement were key to the AITO lineup's success. He emphasized that while the fees are high, the tie-up has delivered a step-change in product competitiveness and rapid scale expansion.
To gain more leverage in the partnership, SERES has also taken balancing steps — including acquiring the 'AITO' trademark outright and taking an equity stake in their jointly owned sales and service company — moves aimed at strengthening its brand assets and retail operations.
Looking ahead, based on current market momentum, SERES has set a new goal: delivering a second 1 million vehicles within two years. Industry watchers note that as the sales base expands, optimizing the cost structure of the Huawei partnership and steadily improving profitability will be central challenges in the next phase.
