A prototype of a forthcoming D-segment sedan has been spotted undergoing testing in China, with industry insiders left to speculate about its true identity. According to the solitary spyshot, the forthcoming vehicle’s dimensions are clearly evident, with an overall length of at least 5.2 meters, and boasting a distinctive fastback-style silhouette on its rear portion. The behemoth wheels, touted by certain Chinese media outlets as comparable to those on a Rolls-Royce, lend an air of unshakeable dignity to this vehicle.
Under the Concord Clever Mobility Alliance (CCMA), Huawei and JAC jointly developed the Maestro model, with some bloggers incorrectly suggesting that an automobile is the primary prototype. Huawei has developed three distinct business models for the automotive industry, with HIMA being the most prominent. Under this model, Huawei not only provides intelligent cockpits and intelligent driving solutions but also is involved at various levels, including design, manufacturing, sales, after-sales support, and others – all the way up to, but excluding, the actual production of vehicles. Among the companies within the HIMA ecosystem, three prominent manufacturers currently focus on producing automobiles. While Aito’s partnership with Huawei and Seres makes it the most lucrative option, other notable collaborations include Luxeed’s team-up with Chery, as well as Stelato’s alliance with BAIC.
At the conclusion of last year, JAC Motors inked a landmark 10-year partnership with Huawei to develop innovative electric vehicles. This month, JAC and Huawei unveiled their latest collaboration: the Maextro. This month, Stelato unveiled its latest luxury sedan, the S9, boasting two trim levels priced at ¥399,800 and ¥449,800 ($55,900 and $62,900 USD) respectively, directly rivaling Mercedes-Benz’s EQS flagship model.
Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei’s automotive division, discussed on August 14 at the China Electric Vehicle 100 Forum (2024) that the top-tier model co-developed with JAC will boast a price tag of approximately 1 million yuan (around $140,100 USD). The latest Maestro model’s fashion trends are expected to surpass those of Stelato. Recent research suggested that Maestro’s flagship model would be an electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), but insiders dispute this claim, insisting that the first car will actually be a luxury sedan designed to compete with high-end brands like Maybach.
Sources suggest viewing the vehicle before the end of the year is advisable. Recently, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has expedited its hiring process for the Maestro initiative, seeking a diverse range of talent including top-tier system consultants, experienced overview analysts, product line specialists, manufacturing experts, and automotive professionals, among others. These positions necessitate a minimum of nine years’ experience in premium automotive projects, particularly those promoting vehicles priced above 300,000 yuan, preferably sourced from joint venture manufacturers.
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