Chinese carmaker Ceres announced on Friday that its electric car brand Ait has signed a deal to enter the Middle East with Abu Dhabi-based dealer group Performance Plus Motors.
Aito is the first and most successful brand under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, looking beyond China’s competitive market. The partnership with the UAE will be the first stepping stone for exports.
Performance Plus Motors, a division of Abu Dhabi Motors, “will be responsible for the sales, delivery and after-sales service of Aito’s premium intelligent models in the UAE,” Seles said in a statement. The period has not been disclosed.
The EV brand’s flagship SUV, Aito 9, has started test drives in the UAE, and Aito vehicles have already arrived at Dubai Port, the company added.
Jason Wang, president of Ceres’ international operations, said the partnership is “an important milestone in Aito’s globalization strategy.” The statement outlined plans for a broader presence in the Middle East to support expansion into neighboring regions.
Previously sold only in China, Aito announced its global lineup at the Munich Car Show in September.
Chongqing-based Ceres began exporting vehicles under its eponymous brand in 2023. According to the China Automobile Manufacturers Association, a total of 1,615 Ceres brand vehicles were exported as of November.
Aito’s sales will exceed 420,000 units in 2025, making it a major contributor to Ceres’ EV sales, which increased by 10.6% to 472,269 units.
(Reporting by Zhang Yan, Qiaoyi Li, Brenda Goh; Editing by Toby Chopra and Mark Potter)
