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In a surprising move, tech giant Huawei has joined forces with Chinese car manufacturer Chery to create an exciting new electric sedan that's set to give the Tesla Model 3 a run for its money. The duo has provided a sneak peek of this electric gem through a social media post.
The mastermind behind this collaboration is Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's Intelligent Automotive Solution business unit. He shared an intriguing image of the sedan on Weibo, where he dubbed it a "pure electric coupe" and revealed that it's on track for a release within this quarter.
Prepare for a fresh contender in the EV arena, as this model, codenamed EH3, is positioned to challenge other electric powerhouses like the Nio ET5, XPeng P7i, BYD Seal, and of course, the Tesla Model 3.
Interestingly, the EH3 will be marketed under a new brand called Luxeed, arising from the partnership between Chery and Huawei. This differs from the previously speculated AITO branding.
But, there's a slight twist in the tale, as Chery already boasts a premium brand named Exeed.
Huawei's leap into the electric car realm is more than evident at the front of the vehicle. A full-width LED light bar connects sleek headlights that sit above slim air intakes. Adding to the distinctive charm isa trapezoidal air intake at the bottom, giving the front a streamlined appearance, emphasised by the Luxeed logo.
The side view is equally appealing, with a gently sloping roofline, retractable flush door handles, and eye-catching five-spoke wheels complemented by red Brembo brakes.
Tech enthusiasts will be pleased to know that this ride comes loaded with tech features. A roof-mounted LiDAR unit and an impressive array of 11 HD cameras and 12 ultrasonic radars contribute to the active safety and driver assist systems of the EH3.
But the real cherry on top? The advanced Huawei ADS 2.0, capable of autonomously driving up to 200km without intervention. It also boasts Navigation Cruise Assist for both city and highway autonomous driving.
This cutting-edge tech is expected to be available in 45 cities across China initially, with plans to expand its reach.
Underpinning the EH3 is Chery's E0X electric vehicle architecture, offering an extensive range of up to 700km with 800V charging, courtesy of CATL batteries.
Entertainment doesn't take a back seat either. Running on Huawei's HarmonyOS 4 software, the infotainment system is tailored for Huawei devices, and thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 CPU, it's geared up for video gaming capabilities as well.
However, there's more to Huawei's automotive journey. The recently unveiled SF5 SUV, showcased at the 2021 Shanghai motor show, marked Huawei's entry into the car world.
Joining hands with Chery indicates a global vision, and although the EH3 might be exclusive to China for now, Chery has its sights set on Australia. Already having a presence with the Omoda 5 crossover, the brand plans to expand its lineup, presenting the Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro later this year, followed by an electric Omoda 5 next year.
With Chery's Australian endeavours under the spotlight, their success could potentially turn them into a worldwide force. As they say,Australia might just become the testing ground for this ambitious brand's global ascent.
