(Yicai) Jan. 10 -- Huawei Technologies today denied a rumor of handing exclusive operation rights of car user centers to China National Postal & Telecommunications Appliances, a state-owned distributor.

Huawei and PTAC are collaborating but not exclusively on user centers of Aito and the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, the Shenzhen-based maker of phones and automotive software said to Yicai. Instead, PTAC is constructing new user service centers and stores for the alliance together with Aito.

Aito is a smart car brand developed by Huawei and Seres Group. Founded last November, HIMA is an alliance of auto firms that cooperate with Huawei, including Aito and Luxeed, an electric vehicle brand co-developed with Chery Automobile.

An online rumor reported by Leiphone.Com today claimed that PTAC, one of the biggest distributors of telecom products in China, will take over operations of Huawei's auto user centers with an initial plan to invest CNY30 billion (USD4.2 billion). Moreover, the rumor claimed PTAC will take up the reins of Aito user centers which are currently operated by car manufacturer Seres.

Chongqing-based Seres is a key partner for Huawei in its foray into the auto sector. Aito sold more than 106,700 cars last year, up 33 percent from a year ago, according to Seres.

Aito has experience centers and user centers. Experience centers that focus on showcasing new models are built by Huawei whereas user centers, managed by Seres, are in charge of vehicle delivery and after-sales services.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Emmi Laine