Chinese automaker Seres announced its Huawei-backed Aito electric vehicle brand will enter the Middle East through a UAE partnership. The deal with Abu Dhabi-based Performance Plus Motors marks Aito's first export foothold outside China.
Seres confirmed the strategic agreement on February 6, 2026. Performance Plus Motors, a unit of Abu Dhabi Motors, will handle sales, delivery, and after-sales service for Aito's luxury intelligent models in the United Arab Emirates, according to a company statement.
The partnership provides immediate access to established luxury retail networks in the region. Commercial launches and test drives are scheduled for March 2026, according to multiple industry reports.
Aito vehicles have already arrived at Dubai port, with the flagship Aito 9 SUV beginning test drives in the UAE market. The brand previously presented its global lineup at the Munich car show in September 2025.
"An important milestone in Aito's globalization strategy."
Jason Wang, president of Seres' overseas business unit, called the collaboration this. The company outlined plans for broader Middle Eastern presence to support expansion into nearby regions.
Aito represents the first and most successful brand under Huawei's Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance. The premium EV brand launched in December 2021 through collaboration between Seres and Huawei.
In July 2024, Seres acquired the Aito trademark and 919 related patents from Huawei for $340 million. The transaction did not affect the ongoing partnership, with Huawei continuing to provide technology support for Aito vehicles.
The UAE market shows growing EV adoption. Used electric vehicle listings increased 41% year-on-year in 2025, according to dubizzle's Annual Pre-Owned Electric Car Market Report.
Aito sales reached 420,000 vehicles in 2025, making it the primary contributor to Seres' overall EV sales of 472,269 units. The company's electric vehicle sales grew 10.6% that year.
Seres began exporting vehicles under its namesake brand in 2023. As of November 2025, the company had exported 1,615 Seres-branded vehicles total, according to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers data.
The Middle East expansion follows Seres' target to sell one million electric vehicles by 2026 through its partnership with Huawei. The companies plan deeper collaboration on artificial intelligence and advanced driving systems.
By the end of 2026, Aito projects rapid showroom deployment across GCC markets, with particular focus on Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The company aims to compete directly with European luxury brands in the high-margin Gulf market.
Aito vehicles feature Huawei's ADS 4.0 driver-assistance technology and are engineered for extreme desert conditions. The brand positions itself as "software-defined luxury" targeting premium segments against BMW and Mercedes-Benz competitors.
