• The new pattern aims to establish an automaker-led framework with Huawei's deep involvement.
• While the new pattern lacks an official name, the experimental designation "HI Plus" has appeared in some collaborative projects.

Huawei will unveil a new partnership pattern with automakers within this year, allowing them to retain more control, domestic media outlet Caijing reported on Monday.

The new approach differs from the Huawei Inside (HI) pattern, where Huawei only sells technology, and is not like joint efforts to create new brands with automakers, the report cited a source close to Huawei's intelligent automotive solutions business unit as saying.

Huawei currently has three main ways of collaborating with automakers, with the Zhixuan model -- where it deeply engages in co-producing vehicles -- being its most involved approach.

In the least involved pattern, the tech giant provides only components and systems including HarmonyOS. The one in the middle offers Huawei Inside solutions.

The new pattern aims to establish a structure where automakers take the lead while Huawei deeply participates, Caijing's report stated.

The new pattern lacks an official name, but some collaborative projects have experimentally used the term "HI Plus," according to the report.

Dongfeng Motor's premium electric off-road brand M-Hero launched the M817 off-road SUV last month, seen as a typical pilot for the new approach, the report stated.

The M817 features Huawei's Qiankun ADS 4 smart driving system, HarmonySpace 5 cockpit, and other Huawei technologies, making it the off-road vehicle with the most Huawei tech currently available, the report noted.

Future M-Hero product planning, marketing, and data coordination may fully transition to this new collaborative model, Caijing reported.

Vehicles developed under this new model will resemble the Zhixuan pattern in all aspects except for not being sold in Huawei stores, according to an automotive industry source with Huawei ties cited in the report.

Huawei is currently prioritizing the Zhixuan model, and has worked with local automakers under its HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance) initiative to create five brands: SAIC Motor's Shangjie, Seres Group's Aito, Chery's Luxeed, BAIC Group's Stelato, and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC)'s Maextro.

All models from these new brands were launched at Huawei events, with the tech giant providing significant marketing support.

In August, HIMA vehicles delivered 44,579 units, pushing cumulative deliveries past 900,000, according to data released yesterday by the unit.

The average transaction price for HIMA models in August was RMB 380,000 ($53,210), it said.

($1 = RMB 7.1419)