Overview

Seres (赛力斯集团股份有限公司) is a technology-driven automaker whose core business is new energy vehicles. According to its official site, the company was founded in 1986 and is currently listed on both the A-share and H-share markets, with more than 20,000 employees and a place among China's Top 500 Enterprises. Its business covers the research and development, manufacturing, sales and service of new energy vehicles and core three-electric products. The name Seres is transliterated from the ancient Greek word SERES, meaning 'land of silk' (referring to China), symbolizing the East and implying luxury. Its vehicle business includes the AITO (问界) high-end smart new energy vehicle line, and its history page traces milestones from 1986 through 2026.

History

Seres traces its origins to 1986, when it began by making automotive seat springs, described on its site as the start of its first entrepreneurial journey. In 2003 it entered whole-vehicle manufacturing with Dongfeng's increased involvement, beginning a second entrepreneurial journey. In 2016 it listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (ticker 601127) and transformed toward new energy, beginning a third entrepreneurial journey. In 2019 its first smart factory for Seres automobiles went into production. In 2021 it announced cross-sector business cooperation, jointly designing with Huawei, and released the AITO M5. In 2022 the group changed its name and logo, with Xiaokang Co. renamed Seres (Group), and released the AITO M5, M7 and M5 pure electric version. In 2023 it released the AITO M5 smart driving version, the new AITO M7 and the AITO M9. In 2024 it continued product iteration with the new AITO M5, AITO new M7 Ultra and AITO M9 five-seat version. In 2025 it listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (ticker 9927.HK) and released the AITO new M5 Ultra, AITO M9 2025 model, AITO M8 and the all-new AITO M7. In 2026 it released the AITO M6 and the all-new generation AITO M9.

2026
AITO M6 and new-generation AITO M9 announced
2025
Listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange (9927.HK); AITO M5 Ultra, 2025 AITO M9, AITO M8 and all-new AITO M7 released
2024
New AITO M5, AITO M7 Ultra and five-seat AITO M9 released
2023
AITO M5 smart-driving version, new AITO M7 and AITO M9 released
2022
Group renamed from Sokon to Seres (Group); AITO M5, M7 and M5 EV released
2021
Cross-industry cooperation with Huawei; AITO M5 released
2019
First Seres smart factory went into production
2016
Listed on Shanghai Stock Exchange (601127); began full transition to new energy vehicles (third venture)
2003
Entered whole-vehicle manufacturing with Dongfeng backing (second venture)
1986
Founded, starting with automotive seat springs (first venture)

Products and positioning

A technology-driven automaker centered on new energy vehicles, positioned around 'technology + luxury' and 'native integrated' whole-vehicle system capability.

问界M9 Ultimate领世加长版
全新一代问界M9
问界M6
问界M8
问界新M7
问界新M5

Controversies

2026
Seres sues user over AI-generated video about AITO
Seres sued a user who allegedly generated and publicly posted an AI video depicting a vehicle collapsing and labeling it AITO; the user received a court summons. The article does not specify when the lawsuit was filed.
Source
2024
Aito M7 crash and fire in Yuncheng kills 3, raising questions over escape and assisted braking
In April 2024, an Aito M7 crashed and caught fire in Yuncheng, Shanxi, killing three people, prompting questions about assisted braking, door unlocking, and the handling of accident data. The brand said the speed exceeded the operating range of the relevant AEB system and that the collision interrupted signals, while Seres denied altering accident data. This entry preserves the company's explanation and does not replace the final liability investigation.
Source

Recent events

2026-10-30
Seres wins 2026 ESG Pioneer Award[10]赛力斯获评2026财联社致远奖ESG先锋奖finance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2026-11-02
Seres received the 2026 CLS ESG Pioneer Award at a sustainable development forum held in Beijing on October 30.
Unconfirmed
Seres sues user over AI-generated video about AITO[9]Seres sues user over AI-generated video about AITOfinance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2026-10-20
Seres sued a user who allegedly generated and publicly posted an AI video depicting a vehicle collapsing and labeling it AITO; the user received a court summons. The article does not specify when the lawsuit was filed.
2026-10-08
Seres releases September 2026 production and sales report showing YoY declines[11]赛力斯发布2026年9月产销快报，产销同比下滑finance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2026-10-08
On October 8, 2026, Seres announced in its September 2026 production and sales report that new energy vehicle output was 28,387 units, down 37.55% year-on-year, and sales were 29,271 units, down 34.48% year-on-year; cumulative output for the year was about 258,000 units (down 16.78%) and cumulative sales about 256,500 units (down 15.79%). Seres Auto's monthly sales were 25,370 units, down 38.50%, with year-to-date sales of 227,272 units, down 17.72%.
Unconfirmed
EU Commission approves Mercedes-Benz China, BMW Brilliance and Seres joint control of Ionchi[12]欧盟委员会批准奔驰中国、华晨宝马和赛力斯共同控股逸安启163.com
Reported: 2026-08-28
The European Commission approved the joint control of charging operator Ionchi by Mercedes-Benz China, BMW Brilliance and Seres, finding no competition concerns because the transaction has limited effect on the European Economic Area.
2026-08-19
AITO M6 cumulative deliveries exceed 40,000 units 97 days after launch[13]问界M6上市97天累计交付突破40000台k.sina.com.cn
As of August 19, cumulative deliveries of the AITO M6 exceeded 40,000 units 97 days after its launch, while the new AITO M9 exceeded 20,000 units in seven weeks.
2026-08-19
Seres releases 2026 half-year report with revenue of 57.493 billion yuan[14]赛力斯发布2026年半年度报告，营收574.93亿元auto.zol.com.cn
Reported: 2026-08-19
Seres released its 2026 half-year report on August 19, 2026, reporting operating revenue of 57.493 billion yuan and R&D investment of 7.007 billion yuan, up 34.8% year on year. The AITO brand's cumulative deliveries in the first half rose 10.2% year on year.
2021-12-03
SERES launches AITO automotive brand[15]赛力斯发布AITO汽车品牌auto.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2021-12-03
SERES launched its AITO premium smart new-energy vehicle brand. Its first model was unveiled at the same time and was scheduled for formal release on December 23.
Unconfirmed
AITO unveils the M5[16]AITO问界M5亮相auto.cnfol.com
AITO's first model, the M5, was unveiled. A separate report said the model would be unveiled on December 23, but this article reports that it had already been unveiled.
Unconfirmed
Huawei unveils Seres SF5 crossover[17]华为发布赛力斯SF5跨界车bizcommunity.com
Reported: 2021-04-26
Huawei unveiled the battery-powered SF5 crossover at the recent Auto Shanghai 2021 exhibition. The vehicle will be produced by Seres, and the updated version is planned to be sold through Huawei flagship stores in China.
Unconfirmed
Seres launches the SF5 electric SUV[18]赛力斯推出SF5电动SUVnews24.com
Reported: 2021-04-25
Chinese automotive company Seres launched the SF5, an extended-range electric SUV. The article describes its pure-electric and extended-range driving ranges and features.

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Seres Group