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Industry News
February 7, 2026
4 min read

Huawei-Backed Aito Partners with UAE Dealer to Enter Middle East Market

Aito teams up with Performance Plus Motors to kickstart sales, service and customer support in the UAE.

Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen
Senior Automotive Journalist with 10+ years covering the Chinese EV market
Huawei-Backed Aito Partners with UAE Dealer to Enter Middle East Market

Aito Sets Foot in the Middle East Through UAE Deal

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — February 6, 2026 — Chinese electric vehicle brand Aito, supported by Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, has signed a cooperation agreement with Performance Plus Motors, a dealer group based in Abu Dhabi, as part of its push into the Middle East automotive market. The partnership is expected to launch authorized retail, delivery and after-sales services for Aito models in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Aito — an EV sub-brand developed under Chinese automaker Seres Group with backing from Huawei — has until now focused mainly on the domestic market. This UAE partnership represents one of the brand’s first substantive steps in establishing a sales and service network outside China.

Our collaboration with Performance Plus Motors marks an important milestone in Aito’s global strategy and opens a valuable gateway to the luxury EV consumer base in the Middle East.

Jason Wang, President of Seres Overseas Business Unit

What the Partnership Includes

Under this strategic agreement:

  • Performance Plus Motors — part of Abu Dhabi Motors — will manage sales, vehicle delivery and after-sales services for Aito models in the UAE.
  • Aito vehicles, including flagship models such as the Aito 9 SUV (known locally by the same name), have already arrived at Dubai port, and test drives are underway.
  • The dealer will help establish localized customer support and brand experience centers, enhancing market familiarity and consumer confidence.

This structure allows Aito to tap into an existing luxury dealer network without building a standalone retail footprint from scratch.

Why the UAE Matters

The United Arab Emirates — home to a well-established luxury automotive sector and high per-capita income levels — presents a strategic entry point for Aito’s international growth plans. The region’s consumers have shown strong interest in premium electric mobility solutions, and its relatively open trade environment offers manufacturers a competitive launch pad beyond traditional markets.

Industry analysts note that successful entry into the UAE could facilitate Aito’s expansion into neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where demand for connected and smart EVs is growing.

Aito’s Broader Export Strategy

Aito is part of the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), a coalition of Chinese EV brands jointly developed with Huawei’s technology ecosystem, focusing on intelligent connectivity and advanced driver assistance systems.

In 2025, Aito contributed significantly to Seres Group’s overall performance, with more than 420,000 vehicles sold, helping lift total EV sales to over 470,000 units for the year.

The UAE deal aligns with Aito’s recent showcase at international events such as the Munich Motor Show, where its global lineup was presented, reflecting the brand’s ambition to cultivate a global presence for luxury electric vehicles.

Key Takeaways

  • Aito has signed a strategic distribution and service agreement with Performance Plus Motors in the UAE.
  • UAE partnership includes sales, delivery, after-sales systems and brand experience centers.
  • Test drives of the Aito 9 SUV are underway, and vehicles have arrived at Dubai port.
  • The move signals Aito’s first major Middle Eastern market entry as part of its global expansion.
  • Aito is one of the brands in Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, focusing on AI-enabled vehicle offerings.

Source:

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/huawei-backed-aito-teams-up-with-uae-dealer-expand-into-middle-east-2026-02-06/

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/huawei-backed-aito-teams-uae-091443521.html

Tags:
Aito
Huawei
UAE

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