China’s AITO Is Prepping Its Model 5, 7, and 9 EREVs For European Launch
Chinese range extender triplets make their European debut at Munich IAA.
Michael FloydWriterSep 08, 2025
aito5 front three quarter 2025 munich iaa
You can be excused if you’ve never heard of AITO (that’s Adding Intelligence to Auto), yet another of a seemingly never-ending list of nascent, Chinese luxury brands flooding the market, utilizing a range of new energy vehicle (NEV) powertrains, namely EVs and EREVs, or extended range electric vehicles, in addition to hybrid and plug-in hybrids. Only in operation since 2021 and producing its first vehicles in 2022, AITO is using Munich’s 2025 IAA Mobility Show to debut a trio of its existing SUVs, dubbed the AITO Model 9, 7, and 5, in advance of the brand’s impending European launch.
AITO (the brand was started by parent company Seres in collaboration with Hauwei) says its number-badged models (it offers four in all including a Model 8) are loaded with high-tech including AI-enabled interactive features, advanced driver assistance tech (ADAS), and optional range-extending EREV powertrains, which use a hybrid system to charge the vehicle’s battery (it appears only the EREV versions will be available in Europe at launch). And of course, the Model 9 especially comes equipped with a range of high-end amenities. From what we’ve been able to glean thus far, AITO’s EV only offerings at least look to be comparable in performance to what you’ll find powering similar models from mainstream global automakers. Here’s a quick look at what we know about the AITOs:
aito9 front three quarter munich iaa
AITO Model 9 — The “All-scenario Intelligent Flagship SUV” (EV/EREV)
The 9 is the brand’s top-dog SUV, and as such, it has a solid amount of power from what we’ve been able to glean, with a big, 100-kWh battery pack for the EV model. We don’t exactly know what all-scenario entails (for example, it sure doesn’t look like it could handle a challenging off-road scenario). But we do know it’s a six-seat model, with an optional 5-seat version with an ability to fold down the front passenger seat to turn the second row passenger seat into a super lounge chair type, “zero gravity” arrangement. It also has the requisite fold down tables and video tablets that Chinese luxury SUVs and minivans usually come with, a front panoramic wraparound screen in the cockpit, a 2,500-watt sound system, and a 20- or 32-inch fold down TV type screen.
As for the Model 9’s ADAS systems, it comes equipped with no less than 27 radar sensors and cameras, including one 192-laser Lidar, three automated parking assist systems, and an augmented reality heads-up display. Here’s what we know below about the Model 9 from a powertrain perspective. Take these numbers with a couple of grains of salt given the sources we’ve been able to find for them, and the ratings systems Chinese automakers use to estimate range, called the CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle). All numbers below are rated in CLTC, the numbers of which we’ve found to be inflated relative to the EPA rating system.
During our trip to China in 2024, we drove a number of Chinese EVs, with the AITO 9 among them. Here’s what we had to say at the time about it:
Lead 2024 Hauwei Aito M9
While this might look like a Mercedes-Maybach GLS if you squint hard enough, this three-row luxury EREV is actually built by AITO, a collaboration between the automaker Seres, and the Chinese tech giant Huawei. Sales of the M9 have totaled over 230,000 and for good reason: priced around $65,000, the M9 did a great job at copying the Mercedes formula with Burmester-like speaker grilles (branded with Huawei Sound, instead), pillar-to-pillar screens (flat, however, not curved), and features like seat massagers. Some of the finer details, such as the orangey leather and odd wood graining, were clearly missed, however.
Why it would work in the U.S.: We like big, luxurious SUVs.
Why it wouldn’t work in the U.S.: Authenticity sells in the luxury space, and the AITO misses the mark there.
Battery packs: 100 kWh (EV); 52 kWh (EREV)
Range: Approx. 376–391 miles (EV); Approx. 880–916 miles (EREV), with 165–180 mile EV only range
Power: Dual-motor AWD (1.5-liter turbo, 150-hp gas range-extender for EREV), total output 496-530 hp depending on model
U.S. equivalent models: Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV or Tesla Model X
Aito 7 Euro Debut Munich IAA 2025 1
AITO Model 7 — The “Range-Extended Large-size Comfort SUV” (EREV)
A more traditional, two-row, five-seat SUV, the Model 7 is EREV only and is available in China in rear- or dual-motor arrangements. The M7 is AITO’s best seller, with over 310,000 sold so far. It looks pretty straightforward on the outside as well as the interior, but like most larger Chinese SUVs, AITO highlights the 7’s space and its “camping mode” that allows for a sleeping-type setup. AITO also plays up the Model 7’s luxury features, including zero gravity seats, a panoramic glass roof, luxury look wheels, and what it says is a smart-cabin arrangement.
Battery pack: 40 kWh
Range: 103–121 miles EV only (RWD/AWD), 684–758 total (RWD/AWD)
Power: Rear- or dual-motor plus 1.5-liter turbo, 150-hp gas range-extender, 268-hp RWD, 443-hp AWD
U.S. equivalent models: Volvo XC90 Recharge and BMW X5 xDrive50e
Aito 5 Euro Debut Munich IAA 2025 3
AITO Model 5 — (EV/EREV)
The Model 5 is being billed as the sportiest of the three AITOs on display in Munich, and while it’s offered in China with EV or EREV powertrains in single- or dual-motor arrangements, it appears it may only reach Europe in AWD with the EREV powertrain. It looks the part of a sport-themed model, with swoopy body work, what AITO is billing as a aport suspension (double wishbone front, multi-link rear), and 20-inch rims wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero rubber. AITO claims over 150,000 M5s have been sold and looks to expand on that number with this European launch.
Battery Packs: 83 kWh (EV); 42 kWh (EREV)
Range: 112–158 miles RWD/AWD (EREV), 343–385 miles RWD/AWD (EV)
Power: Rear- or dual-motor (plus 1.5-liter turbo, 150-hp gas range-extender for EREV), 268-hp RWD, 443-hp AWD
U.S. Equivalent models: Tesla Model Y Performance and Audi Q8 E-tron
Next Stop? The Middle East
The latest breaking news from AITO’s IAA Munich 2025 press conference is that after launching in Europe, the M5, M7 and M9 will kick off AITO’s Middle East debut with a launch event in Dubai.See you there.
