The future of driving is taking shape in China, where GAC Group and Huawei have joined forces to create a next generation luxury electric vehicle brand. This strategic partnership brings together two industry giants, GAC’s manufacturing legacy and Huawei’s cutting edge tech, to introduce an entirely new standard in intelligent mobility. Their mission is to deliver premium, connected, and autonomous electric vehicles designed for the era of smart transportation.
The Birth of a Smart Luxury Line
Announced on November 30, 2024, at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Center, this collaboration marks a new chapter in China’s rapidly evolving electric vehicle landscape. The newly formed brand, codenamed GH, represents a departure from GAC’s current lineup of Trumpchi, Aion, and Hyptec. It is a bold move to position GAC as a frontrunner in the premium new energy vehicle (NEV) market.
With an investment of CNY 1.5 billion (approximately USD 207 million), the joint venture has already begun laying the groundwork for its debut model. The vehicle is expected to retail at around CNY 300,000 (USD 41,000) and will feature Huawei’s latest smart driving technologies, autonomous features, and an intelligent cockpit powered by the HarmonyOS operating system.
Redefining Roles in Automotive Innovation
Unlike typical collaborations, GH does not fall under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), which includes brands like Luxeed and AITO. Instead, this partnership mirrors the AVATR model, where Huawei remains a deeply integrated tech partner without taking equity. This enables GAC to lead in vehicle production while Huawei provides the full suite of innovative technologies.
From advanced driver assistance systems to AI-based solutions that learn user habits, Huawei’s contribution extends far beyond hardware. The tech giant is embedding its information and communication technology (ICT) stack, autonomous driving solutions, and cloud ecosystem services directly into the GH platform. The result is expected to be a seamless fusion of luxury, intelligence, and performance.
Built on Experience, Geared for the Future
GAC’s role in the venture is equally critical. With over 27 years of automotive manufacturing expertise, the company brings proven capabilities in vehicle platform design, battery innovation, and quality control. It is also one of the few automakers actively exploring battery swapping technology through its partnership with NIO’s battery alliance, suggesting potential modular flexibility in the GH lineup.
This is not the first time the two companies have worked together. In 2021, GAC and Huawei initially partnered on a luxury SUV under the Aion brand. That project eventually evolved into the Hyptec HL, launched in late 2024, with Huawei stepping back as a component provider. The GH brand, however, reflects a more ambitious collaboration with joint teams now co-located and working in tandem on design, engineering, and deployment.
Competing in a Crowded, High-Tech Arena
The GH brand is entering a highly competitive field that includes players like NIO, Li Auto, AVATR, and various HIMA affiliated brands. Yet GH’s strength lies in its foundation uniting traditional automotive craftsmanship with digital intelligence at every level of the vehicle experience.
What sets GH apart is not just its focus on premium aesthetics but its emphasis on fully connected, AI-powered ecosystems. With Huawei’s smart cockpit, intuitive interface, and autonomous driving stack, GH is likely to appeal to a new generation of drivers looking for sophistication, safety, and adaptability all built into a single vehicle.
Driving Regional and Global Transformation
This partnership is also expected to boost innovation in the Greater Bay Area, where both companies are headquartered. With support from local governments and deep regional infrastructure, GH could play a central role in positioning southern China as a global hub for intelligent mobility.
Over the past few months, more than a dozen Chinese automakers have announced plans to achieve full scale intelligent driving. GAC and Huawei’s joint venture not only aligns with this national movement but also positions itself to set new benchmarks in NEV design, smart features, and integrated customer experiences.
Conclusion: A New Era of Luxury, Intelligence, and Purpose
As the world shifts from traditional vehicles to intelligent mobility, the GH brand emerges as a blueprint for what the future of driving could be. With GAC’s trusted legacy in production and Huawei’s dominance in intelligent systems, this alliance is more than a brand; it is a signal of transformation.
The launch of the first model is anticipated soon, and with local pricing on the way, expectations are rising. Will GH live up to the promise of being China’s next great luxury EV brand? If early indicators are any guide, the answer is already in motion.
Stay tuned. The road ahead looks smarter than ever.