Aito Europe Entry Planned for 2027 as WVTA Work Begins

Aito Europe entry is now planned for 2027, according to a report that adds a new target to the overseas expansion of the brand jointly developed by Huawei and Seres (HKEX: 9927). Local media outlet Cailian reported the plan on Monday, citing information it had exclusively obtained. According to the report, Aito has already begun work on EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA).

Paris Motor Show Lineup and Missing Details

The report said Aito will showcase four SUVs at the 2026 Paris Motor Show: the Aito 6, Aito 7, Aito 8 and Aito 9. However, the report did not disclose which European countries Aito would enter first, which models it would launch there, or what they would cost. Seres said in an October 11 Weibo post that Aito would appear at the Paris Motor Show from October 12 to 18, sharing promotional material that featured the Aito M9. That post did not mention a timeline for entering Europe.

Seres Experience in Europe and Global Network Plans

Seres itself has previously operated in Europe. In June 2023, the company delivered its first Seres 5 vehicles in Bergen, Norway, through local dealer Sandven AS. Seres has also said it was steadily advancing plans to take Aito's full lineup overseas while building a global sales and service network, positioning the brand at the premium end of international markets.

Middle East Expansion Before the European Plan

Aito had already been expanding in the Middle East before the European plan emerged. In February, the brand signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Performance Plus Motors, a subsidiary of UAE dealer Abu Dhabi Motors. Under the arrangements announced at the time, Performance Plus Motors would handle sales, deliveries and after-sales services for Aito vehicles in the UAE, with plans to establish brand experience and service centers. Aito said at the time that local customer test drives of its flagship Aito 9 had begun in the UAE. The model is known as the Aito M9 in China.

Huawei and Seres Deepen Cooperation

Aito's European plan also comes as Huawei and Seres deepen their cooperation on the brand. The companies signed a new 5-year agreement on September 30 and announced on October 1 that they would jointly establish a dedicated Aito team. They had previously announced on September 15 that Seres would take the lead in Aito's product operations, marketing, retail and service network, with Huawei providing support. The brand would remain within the Huawei-led HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance). The announcement of the new 5-year agreement confirmed plans for the joint dedicated team but did not clarify whether the previously announced leadership arrangements had changed.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The 2027 target suggests Aito is treating Europe as a premium-market test for its wider lineup, and the start of WVTA work is the practical step that must be completed before any sales can follow. Because the report did not name launch countries, models or prices, those decisions will likely shape how competitive the brand can be against established premium SUV makers. The new 5-year agreement and the planned joint team may give Seres and Huawei a clearer structure for managing a European rollout, although the leadership arrangements remain unclarified. The UAE partnership with a local dealer group offers a possible model for how Aito could build its sales and service network abroad. The Paris Motor Show appearance should provide an early signal of how European audiences respond to the brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Aito plan to enter the European market?
Aito plans to enter the European market in 2027, according to a report from local media outlet Cailian, which said the brand has begun work on EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval. The report did not disclose which European countries Aito would enter first, which models it would launch or their prices. Seres, which leads the brand's product operations, marketing, retail and service network, did not mention a European timeline in its October 11 Weibo post about the Paris Motor Show.

Which models will Aito show at the 2026 Paris Motor Show?
The report said Aito will showcase four SUVs at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, namely the Aito 6, Aito 7, Aito 8 and Aito 9, during the event. Seres said Aito would appear at the show from October 12 to 18 and shared promotional material featuring the Aito M9. The Aito 9 is known as the Aito M9 in China, and the post did not mention a timeline for entering Europe.

What did Huawei and Seres agree on recently?
Huawei and Seres signed a new 5-year agreement on September 30 and announced on October 1 that they would jointly establish a dedicated Aito team. On September 15, they had announced that Seres would take the lead in Aito's product operations, marketing, retail and service network, with Huawei providing support. The brand would remain within the Huawei-led HIMA, the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance. The new announcement did not clarify whether those leadership arrangements had changed.