(Yicai Global) Sept. 7 -- Seres Group is collaborating more closely with Huawei Technologies as not only do the Chinese new energy vehicle maker’s first pure electric cars boast more of the telecoms giant’s cutting-edge technologies, but they will be sold through a greater number of Huawei outlets.

The pure electric version of the AITO M5 features a smart cockpit powered by Huawei’s latest operating system, HarmonyOS 3, Seres said at the launch event yesterday. It allows the seamless connection of mobile devices and in-car software, synchronizing schedules, navigation and other data. The EV also uses Huawei’s DriveONE electric drive system and dynamic adaptive torque system DATS.

The AITO M5 EV comes in two models, the standard version and the high-performance version, priced at CNY288,600 (USD41,385) and CNY319,800 respectively, it said. The Chongqing-based company’s range-extended version of the M5, that is already on the market, costs between CNY259,800 and CNY331,800. Range-extended EVs can be powered by electricity as well as gasoline.

Seres is also expanding its brick-and-mortar sales channels with Shenzhen-based Huawei. The AITO model is already on show in more than 820 Huawei experience centers and Seres user hubs across 180 cities. This number may increase to over 1,200 by the end of the year.

Seres, which is the electric car arm of Chongqing Sokon Industry Group, has partnered with Huawei on two previous models, the AITO M7 and AITO M5. Both boast Huawei’s Hump range extender system, giving them a battery range of over 1,000 kilometers.

AITO has sold 35,590 units between March and August. Monthly sales in August topped 10,000 autos for the first time, according to Seres.

Due to the huge sums needed to develop electric cars, Sokon’s net loss expanded two-and-a-half times in the first half from the same period last year to CNY1.7 billion (USD243.8 million), even though revenue soared 68 percent to CNY12.4 billion (USD1.78 billion), according to its financial report released on Aug. 20.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Kim Taylor