- Aistaland, the premium JV brand from GAC and Huawei, is reportedly planning battery-swapping models tied to Huawei’s Qiankun business to capitalize on fast-charging convenience and competitive differentiation.
- GT7 starts at RMB 209.9K (about $31.4K) with up to 102.8 kWh and CLTC 900 km range, GX7 starts at RMB 229.9K (about $34.4K) with up to 67 kWh and CLTC 385 km, both using Huawei ADAS and HarmonyOS cockpits.
- Targets NIO, Geely, Epicland and Choco-Swap adopters in China’s crowded swap ecosystem, but execution risks include unconfirmed launch timing, network scale, partner integration and margin impacts from rental models.
Aistaland, the premium automotive brand jointly developed by GAC Group and Huawei, is planning battery-swapping models, Chinese media outlet reported.
Citing people familiar with the matter, the report said the models could be among the first to materialize given Aistaland’s close cooperation with Huawei’s Qiankun business. No specific models or launch dates have been announced.
Aistaland currently offers two models: the all-electric GT7 shooting brake and the GX7 extended-range SUV. The GT7 starts at RMB 209.9K ($31.4K) and comes with a battery pack of up to 102.8 kWh, delivering a CLTC-rated range of up to 900 km.
The GX7 starts at RMB 229.9K ($34.4K) and offers a battery pack of up to 67 kWh, with a CLTC-rated all-electric range of up to 385 km. Both models feature Huawei’s advanced driver-assistance system and HarmonyOS smart cockpit.
The report comes as battery-swapping partnerships across China’s automotive industry gain momentum.
In late September, NIO and Geely Holding Group reached a comprehensive strategic partnership covering charging and battery swapping. Geely acquired a 30% stake in NIO Power through a combination of a 100% stake in Yiyi Interconnect and RMB 640M ($95.8M) in cash.
On October 19, Huawei’s Yinwang announced a strategic cooperation framework agreement with CATL and Times EV Service. Yinwang has joined CATL’s Choco-Swap ecosystem, with the parties set to work on integrating compatible vehicle models with the battery-swapping network.
Reports of the first vehicles under the partnership followed. Media outlets have reported that Yinwang, CATL and Times EV Service are advancing development of five models for launch in 2027.
Chinese financial news outlet CLS separately reported that the first vehicle using CATL’s Choco-Swap solution is scheduled to debut in 2027. The model is expected to come from Epicland, the brand jointly developed by Dongfeng and Huawei. The reported plans have not been officially confirmed.
As more automakers explore battery swapping, the model is emerging as another way for vehicle and battery companies to compete in China’s increasingly crowded market.
Battery swapping can shift battery sales from an upfront vehicle purchase to recurring battery rental and energy-replenishment service fees. This can lower the initial cost of buying an electric vehicle while easing concerns over charging speed and battery health.
For Aistaland, battery-swapping models could also offer a way to stand out within Huawei’s automotive ecosystem.
As more Huawei partner vehicles adopt similar advanced driver-assistance systems and HarmonyOS cockpits, these features are becoming common across the lineup. Alternative energy-replenishment options could therefore give Aistaland another way to differentiate its products.
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