China’s Huawei Technologies is considering stepping into the EV market with not just its software but complete vehicles bearing the nameplate of Huawei.
According to sources Huawei, is in talks with Chongqing Sokon to acquire a controlling stake in the latter’s Chongqing Jinkang New Energy Automobile. This move would suggest that Huawei is looking to go beyond just offering auto operating systems and have an end-to-end presence in the EV business.
Huawei, expectedly, also plans to buy some stake in privately-owed Chongqing Sokon Holdings, the biggest shareholder of Shanghai-listed Sokon.
Richard Yu, head of Huawei’s consumer business group who led the company to become one of the world’s largest smartphone makers might be shifting his focus to EVs and spearheading leading the talks with Sokon.
Huawei has been deeply involved in the operation and manufacturing of the little-known Sokon and its loss-making Seres unit. Under the tie-up, Seres’s first model, “Huawei Smart Selection” SF5, debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show and received over 3,000 orders within two days after the pre-sale. Huawei is also selling SF5 vehicles in its stores across China including its online store VMall.com.
Other giant technology companies are also looking to step into the EV business including Apple, Google, Amazon and others.
