- AITO prices 2026 M9 luxury SUV from 479.8K–659.8K RMB ($70.8K–$97.3K).
- Full lineup gains six-lidar matrix, 40 sensors, and Huawei ADS 5 for future L3 readiness.
- Despite 285,000 cumulative deliveries and 70,000+ preorders, monthly sales plunged to ~3,300 in April.
On May 27, Huawei-backed AITO officially launched the 2026 M9 luxury SUV, pushing deeper into China’s fast-changing premium NEV segment.
The new M9 offers both range-extender, battery-electric variants. The lineup includes Max+, Ultra, Ultimate trims, priced from 479.8K RMB ($70,800) – 659.8K RMB ($97,300).
Smart-driving hardware became the core focus of this update cycle. The entire lineup now carries a six-lidar matrix setup, including one 896-line self-cleaning lidar, one in-cabin radar, and four solid-state blind-spot lidars. Combined with 40 intelligent-driving sensors, the system enables 360-degree perception while reserving hardware capability for future L3-level upgrades.
The model also debuts Huawei ADS 5 intelligent-driving software.
On the chassis side, the Ultimate trim adds an 800V active suspension system for the first time. Paired with a next-generation predictive control system, the setup supports independent four-wheel active adjustment, real-time road recognition, and automatic suspension adaptation.
The refresh highlights AITO’s effort to reinforce its premium-market position as competition intensifies.
Before launch, pre-orders for the 2026 M9 had already exceeded 70,000 units.
Official data showed cumulative deliveries reached 285,000 units as of May 27, 2026. The M9 has led China’s large luxury SUV segment for 21 consecutive months, maintaining an average transaction price above 500K RMB ($73.7K).
Still, retail momentum has weakened in recent months.
Terminal sales data showed April deliveries fell to 3,382 units, sharply below the model’s earlier monthly peak near 10,000 units. Between November and December 2025, the M9 maintained monthly sales around 8,000–9,000 units. Volumes later slipped into the 3,000–4,000 range through 2026.
The first-generation M9 launched at the end of 2023, quickly reshaping China’s 500K RMB ($73.7K) luxury SUV market, previously dominated by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi.
Huawei’s full-stack intelligent ecosystem became the model’s key selling point. The SUV combined air suspension, rear-wheel steering, ADS intelligent driving, and HarmonyOS cockpit systems. Orders surpassed 190,000 units within 11 months after launch.
The model also helped Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance and Seres gain a foothold in China’s premium market. Consumer focus gradually shifted from legacy luxury badges toward intelligent features, chassis tuning, and real-world usability.
April 2026 large luxury SUV sales data showed the NIO ES8 ranked first with 13,020 units, supported by NIO’s battery-swap network and BaaS battery leasing model lowering purchase costs.
Zeekr 9X ranked second with 9,315 units. The model uses a 900V high-voltage platform paired with a high-performance AWD system, emphasizing charging speed and power delivery.
Rivals including NIO ES8 and Zeekr 9X increasingly mirror the original M9 formula. Features such as intelligent driving, zero-gravity seats, onboard refrigerators, rear entertainment screens, and premium audio systems have rapidly become standard across the segment.
The growing hardware similarity has diluted part of the M9’s original market impact, contributing to recent sales pressure.
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