BUSINESS

Huawei’s Two Auto Units Join Hands on Lidar in Sign of Deeper Alignment

Published: Mar. 5, 2026 4:28 p.m. GMT+8

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Jin Yuzhi, CEO of Huawei’s intelligent automotive solution business unit. Photo: VCG

Chiefs from Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.’s two automotive business groups appeared on the same stage together for the first time to launch a next-generation lidar product for smart cars, signaling deeper alignment as competition in China’s auto market heats up.

The joint appearance on Wednesday underlines Huawei’s dual strategy that depends on its intelligent automotive solution business unit and Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) to expand its footprint in the country’s competitive smart electric vehicle market.

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Huawei’s two auto groups jointly launched an 896-line lidar for smart cars, marking deeper collaboration amid fierce competition in China’s EV market.
The new lidar, used in both HIMA and Huawei’s intelligent automotive unit vehicles, offers significant improvement over previous models but raises car prices by up to 20,000 yuan ($2,890).
Some automakers like XPeng and Tesla are moving away from lidar, questioning its necessity due to high costs and advancing camera-based technologies.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. is expanding its presence in the smart electric vehicle market through two automotive business groups: its intelligent automotive solution business unit and Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). This move comes after U.S. sanctions impacted its smartphone business. Huawei's strategy involves supplying components and autonomous driving systems, and partnering with carmakers for smart driving technologies and sales channels.

Seres Group Co. Ltd.: Seres Group Co. Ltd. is a Shanghai-listed carmaker that partnered with Huawei in April 2021 to develop smart electric vehicles. This partnership, initially part of Huawei's Smart Selection business, was upgraded to the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) in November 2023. Seres's Aito brand operates under HIMA. Additionally, Seres invested in Huawei's intelligent automotive solution business unit in August 2024.

Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd.: Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd. (Changan) is a carmaker that became an investor in Huawei's intelligent automotive solution business unit in August 2024. This unit subsequently spun off its auto assets into Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd. in January 2025.

Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd.: Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd. was spun off in January 2025 from Huawei's intelligent automotive solution business unit. It develops components and autonomous driving systems for various carmakers. This move followed investments from Seres and a Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd. subsidiary in August 2024.

Chery Automobile Co. Ltd.: Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. is one of the five car brands operating under Huawei's Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). Its brand with HIMA is Luxeed, showcasing Huawei's significant influence over vehicle design, development, marketing, and sales within this partnership.

SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd.: SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd.'s brand, Shangjie, operates under Huawei's Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). HIMA provides carmakers with smart driving technologies and access to Huawei’s sales channels.

Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp.: Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp. (JAC) is one of five car brands operating under Huawei's Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). JAC's brand under HIMA is Maextro.

BAIC BluePark New Energy Technology Co. Ltd.: BAIC BluePark New Energy Technology Co. Ltd. is a Chinese carmaker that operates the "Stelato" brand. Stelato is one of five car brands currently operating under Huawei's Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), which provides smart driving technologies and access to Huawei's sales channels.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd.: Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. (GAC Group) is a Chinese carmaker. Its intelligent automotive solution business unit is collaborating with Huawei to launch a new auto brand, with its inaugural model expected later this year.

Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd.: Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd. is mentioned as a partner with Huawei's intelligent automotive solution business unit. They are collaborating on two new auto brands, which are expected to launch their first models later this year.

Tesla Inc.: Tesla Inc. is mentioned in the context of its CEO, Elon Musk, consistently opposing lidar technology in vehicles. Musk believes relying on lidar creates a crutch and risks system hesitation. The article notes that advanced algorithms and strong computing power could allow cameras to replicate lidar capabilities, aligning with Tesla's approach.

XPeng Inc.: XPeng Inc. announced in May 2025 that it would no longer include lidar in its vehicles. This decision aligns with several other automakers who believe these expensive sensors may be unnecessary, suggesting that advanced algorithms and strong computing power in cameras could replicate lidar capabilities.

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What Happened When

2019：: Huawei established its intelligent automotive solution business unit as a component supplier.

2020：: U.S. sanctions impacted Huawei’s smartphone business, prompting Yu Chengdong to focus on the auto sector.

April 2021：: Huawei formed a smart vehicle partnership with Seres Group Co. Ltd. as part of its Smart Selection business model.

November 2023：: Huawei’s Smart Selection business model was upgraded to the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA).

August 2024：: Huawei's intelligent automotive solution business unit secured investments from Seres and a Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd. subsidiary.

January 2025：: Huawei spun off its auto assets into Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd.

May 2025：: XPeng Inc. announced it would drop lidar from its vehicles.

March 5, 2026：: Chiefs from Huawei’s two automotive business groups launched a next-generation 896-line lidar product together for the first time.

AI generated, for reference only