Huawei dials into EVS
Huawei, the Chinese tech giant best known for sleek smartphones, is said to be deep in discussions with at least two carmakers about manufacturing electric vehicles (EVS) under its brand.
News agency Reuters has cited at least four sources with knowledge of the behind-thescenes deals that could see Huawei challenge Tesla, Toyota and others.
Reuters suggests the shift into cars is in part to investigate other business opportunities, because of the sanctions imposed by the US that have hurt Huawei phone sales. The report says Huawei has held discussions with two state-funded carmakers — Changan Automobile and a division of BAIC — to potentially use their manufacturing facilities.
Sources also suggest Huawei has started designing vehicles and looking for parts suppliers with the view to starting manufacturing as early as this year.
A Huawei spokesman responded to Reuters by suggesting the brand’s automotive focus
was on supplying technology and components, including the Hicar operating system that incorporates 5G connectivity. “Huawei is not a car manufacturer,” he said. “However through ICT (Information and Communications Technology) we aim to be a digital car-oriented and new-added components provider, enabling car OEMS (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to build better vehicles.”
Huawei is not the only tech company with visions of making EVS. Apple has long been rumoured to be working on autonomous electric cars, most recently linked to a deal with Hyundai and Kia. Waymo — part of Google — has spent more than a decade developing autonomous technology for cars.
Late in 2020 Baidu — the equivalent of Google in China — confirmed it had entered a strategic partnership with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to develop “intelligent and connected vehicles”.
And Alibaba has a deal with SAIC, which owns the MG and LDV brands.