AITO Targets Fall 2027 European Launch with SUVs Planned

AITO, a premium-leaning brand controlled by the SERES Group, plans to enter Europe in fall 2027 and intends to import Chinese-built SUVs rather than establish local production. The company has not released lineup details, pricing or initial target markets.

The brand used the Paris Motor Show to show four sport utility vehicles—the 9, 8, 7 and 6—and to introduce itself to potential representatives and customers. The largest, the 9, measures just over 5.2 meters (206 inches) in overall length with a 3.1 meter (122 inch) wheelbase, putting it in the size bracket of full-size rivals from Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi.

AITO says it will offer both battery-electric and extended-range electric powertrains. The extended-range electric configuration is an EREV setup in which an internal combustion engine functions only as an onboard generator and does not drive the wheels.

Manufacturer messaging frames EREVs as a solution for buyers who want electric driving without charging-related compromises on longer trips, since the onboard generator can provide continued mobility where charging infrastructure is limited, provided the vehicle has fuel.

Aftercare, software and safety hurdles

Which of the Paris display models will reach showrooms in Europe remains undecided. AITO has not confirmed the four models as European sales lines and is still engaging distributors and dealer groups to represent the brand. For premium SUV buyers, dealership coverage matters: owners expect convenient servicing, parts availability after collisions and technicians capable of diagnosing both hardware and software faults. Aftersales capability is a central concern for many potential customers.

The company is also pitching its software credentials. AITO vehicles incorporate Huawei systems, including the Harmony operating system and advanced driver assistance functions. Those systems will need local adaptation and validation. AITO is working toward type approval and aims for five-star Euro NCAP ratings under the 2026 testing protocols.

The automaker reports it has logged 40 billion kilometers to date, equivalent to about 24.9 billion miles, and says more than 10.6 billion kilometers, roughly 6.6 billion miles, were driven with some degree of driver assistance. These manufacturer-reported totals underline testing scale but do not replace independent validation of system performance on European roads.

One major commercial obstacle remains the import tariff. Under current EU rules, Chinese-built vehicles would face a 30 percent levy. That tariff has already led several Chinese automakers to invest in European production, and without a high-volume model to justify a factory, AITO says European production does not appear likely by the end of the decade.