Huawei seeks more partners in smart-vehicle supply chain unit to support EV shift

Huawei Technologies is inviting more carmakers to invest in its smart-car unit as the US-sanctioned group looks to diversify and expand its interest in China’s fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) sector, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The telecoms equipment manufacturer is opening the door to outside investors to help turn its unit Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology into an open-source platform for developing new EV technologies, the state-run news agency reported on Friday, citing its chairman Eric Xu Zhijun.

“We will continue to bring in strategic investors and welcome EV industry players [to buy into Yinwang],” Xu said, according to the report. “New technologies and new driving experiences will help the industry avert unnecessary intense competition.” He did not elaborate on the investment plan.

Huawei would hone its image as a supplier, rather than an assembler, to smoothen the industry’s transition to electrification and digitalisation, he added. The firm will help its prospective partners to cut development costs, accelerate new model launches, and improve efficiency in testing smart-driving systems.

Huawei did not immediately respond to the Post’s queries about Xu’s remarks.