Following the reduction of Huawei's involvement in the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, Aito vehicle owners are expressing dissatisfaction on Weibo. Users are participating in a trend of rebadging their Aito cars with DFSK logos, symbolically demoting the brand from a premium status to that of a budget manufacturer.
One Aito M7 owner, who reportedly purchased their vehicle for over ¥300 000 ($44 800), publicly questioned the future of the brand without Huawei's active development support. The owner expressed concerns regarding long-term vehicle viability, after-sales service, and rapid depreciation, comparing the company's prospects to Neta Auto.
DFSK, which is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Seres Auto, specializes in micro-EVs and commercial vans. While the brand has not officially commented on the trend, reports indicate that a DFSK dealership displayed a banner welcoming Aito owners and offering support, positioning the budget brand as a parental home for the troubled marque.
Huawei previously played a significant role in stabilizing Seres Auto, with reports suggesting the tech giant received a cut of ¥50 000 ($7 500) for every Aito vehicle sold. The market is now questioning whether Seres Auto can maintain premium pricing for its products independently following the split.
