Huawei Forms Strategic Partnership with Dongfeng’s Electric Off-Road Brand, M Hero

“Huawei Forms Strategic Partnership with Dongfeng’s M Hero for Smart Car Ecosystem”

Huawei has solidified a strategic collaboration with Dongfeng Motor’s premium electric off-road brand, M Hero, following a recent deal with the automaker’s Voyah brand. Discussions between Huawei and M Hero are ongoing, with a focus on potential partnership models, including parts supply and the HI (Huawei Inside) approach.

In a recent press release, Huawei’s intelligent vehicle solutions business unit announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with M Hero. The partnership aims to establish a smart car industry ecosystem, leveraging Huawei’s expertise in smart connectivity and intelligent driving.

M Hero, positioned as China’s inaugural luxury electric off-road brand, aspires to lead in the realm of luxury electric off-road culture. Huawei, with its profound technological capabilities, seeks to contribute to this goal by promoting the commercialization of its smart car solutions.

Dongfeng introduced the M Hero brand on August 27, 2022, unveiling two concept vehicles, the M-Terrain and the M-Terrain S. In August 2023, the M-917, M Hero‘s first model, was released, featuring both a battery electric vehicle (BEV) version and an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version.

While the press release doesn’t specify the nature of collaboration, local media sources indicate that Huawei and M Hero are exploring various cooperation models. Currently, the emphasis is on those involving parts supply or adopting the HI (Huawei Inside) model. The ultimate collaboration framework will be determined based on future product and technology development.

Huawei’s engagement with automakers typically follows three models of cooperation. The “Zhixuan” model involves jointly building a new brand and cars. The least involved model entails supplying components and the HarmonyOS system. Positioned in the middle is the “Huawei Inside” model, where Huawei provides comprehensive smart car solutions, encompassing smart cockpits and intelligent driving features.

Huawei’s existing partnerships include collaborations with automakers such as Seres, Chery, Changan, and JAC. Notably, Huawei and Seres jointly established the Aito brand based on the Zhixuan model.

On January 22, Voyah, another Dongfeng brand, announced a strategic cooperation agreement with Huawei to create a smart mobility experience, though specific details were not disclosed.