Huawei has solidified its position as the central force in China’s automotive ecosystem at the 19th Beijing International Auto Show, bringing together all eight major state-owned automakers under its cooperation framework.
The tech giant’s influence was evident across the exhibition, from its expansive Harmony Intelligent Mobility showcase spanning over 4,000 square meters and featuring more than 20 planned display vehicles, to standalone exhibits for its Huawei Qiankun and Huawei Digital Energy divisions. The full “Five Realms, Two Domains, One Tower” product lineup was presented together, marking a significant milestone in Huawei’s automotive strategy.
The completion of this ecosystem came on April 19, when FAW Hongqi officially announced its strategic collaboration with Huawei Qiankun, focusing on intelligent driving, intelligent cockpit and intelligent manufacturing. This followed years of progressive engagement that began in November 2023 with Changan Automobile’s investment cooperation memorandum, evolving from technology procurement to deep integration and finally capital partnership.
At the exhibition, Huawei’s automotive ecosystem appeared in a clustered formation. All five brands within the Harmony Intelligent Mobility “Five Realms” – Aito, Zhijie, Shangjie, Zijie, and Shangjie – were showcased, with the Shangjie Z7/Z7T launching ahead of the show’s opening and the Aito M6 debuting simultaneously. The Zhijie V9 and next-generation Aito M9 began accepting pre-orders, while the “Two Domains” series made its global debut, including Dongfeng+Huawei’s Yijing (X9 large six-seat SUV) and GAC+Huawei’s Qijing (GT7 intelligent coupe).
The event highlighted a broader industry shift where suppliers now occupy prominent positions alongside automakers in the main exhibition halls, reflecting the changing dynamics of the intelligent electric vehicle era where core capabilities like batteries, chips, and autonomous driving systems increasingly reside in the supply chain rather than with vehicle manufacturers.
