(Yicai) Aug. 7 -- Huawei Technologies and Chinese auto giant BAIC Bluepark New Energy Technology have launched their first jointly developed electric vehicle under the tech behemoth's Smart Selection model, targeting the premium sedan market in China.

The Stelato S9 comes in two editions, with a Max version priced at CNY399,800 (USD55,850) and an Ultra version at CNY449,800, Huawei announced at a launch event yesterday. The costs are lower than the previously released CNY450,000 to CNY550,000 presale prices.

Customers can order the Stelato S9 or book a test drive at Huawei's Vmall, the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance mini program, Huawei Experience Stores, and the HIMA user center.

The Stelato S9 forms a '9' flagship group with the Aito M9, a sport utility vehicle jointly developed by Huawei and Seres Group, said Richard Yu, chairman of the Shenzhen-based tech company's auto business unit.

The 800-volt, 100 kilowatt-hours battery helps the Stelato S9 reach a maximum cruising range of 816 kilometers and run 200 km more after a five-minute charge, noted Zeng Yuqun, chairman and chief executive of Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology.

BAIC Bluepark expects to sell 60,000 Stelato S9 units this year, 120,000 next year, 120,000 in 2026, 96,000 in 2027, and 84,000 in 2028, according to a plant environmental impact report it previously released. The second model under its tie-up with Huawei will be the Wagan, a C+ electric luxury wagon, and the third will be a B+ SUV.

BAIC Bluepark reported a net loss of over CNY22 billion (USD3.1 billion) from 2020 to 2023 due to fierce market competition, but it sees the Huawei cooperation as the key to turning the tables. For the first half of this year, it predicted a net loss of between CNY2.4 billion and CNY2.7 billion (USD334.6 million and USD376.5 million).

The Stelato S9 is the first model equipped with the Huawei ADS 3.0 high-level intelligent driving system, enabling a better driving experience, Yu noted. The Aito M5, the Aito M7, the Aito M9, and the Luxeed S7, co-developed with Chery Automobile, will also use ADS 3.0 starting in September, he added.

The Huawei ADS 3.0 is the start of a head-to-head competition with Tesla's Full Self-Driving, according to Yu. ADS is confident in defeating its rival, he said, adding that FSD has made big progess with high ceilings, but it can also make serious mistakes.

Huawei also launched the Aito and the Luxeed brands through its Smart Selection cooperation model. The HIMA delivered 46,141 units last month, including 2,995 Luxeed S7s.

Editor: Martin kadiev