Luxeed, the electric vehicle brand jointly created by Huawei and Chery, is on track to secure its own carmaking license in China. The move signals a major step toward Luxeed’s operational independence and a potential future public listing.
Luxeed Moves Toward Independent Manufacturing
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has listed Luxeed among the proposed new vehicle manufacturers in its latest batch 412 announcement. The public comment period for this proposal runs through October 23, 2026.
Luxeed’s production address is No. 8 Wanjiang Avenue, Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone, Anhui province, with the official remark ‘member company of Chery Group.’ Chery has applied to deregister this production address, effectively transferring the plant’s capacity and production entity status to Luxeed.
An insider quoted by Yicai stated, ‘It is Chery’s plant that was given to Luxeed,’ confirming that the transition is a transfer rather than the creation of a new facility.
Badge and Brand Changes Expected
Once Luxeed’s license is approved, the badge on new vehicles is expected to change from ‘Chery’ to ‘Luxeed.’ This mirrors previous moves in the industry, such as Nio’s transition from Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp (JAC) to its own brand after obtaining an independent license.
A similar process is underway for Voyah, a unit of Dongfeng Motor Group, which is also transferring a plant address as part of the same MIIT batch.
Luxeed’s Growth and Structure
Luxeed was established as a joint venture between Chery and Huawei. Its first model, the S7, launched in November 2023, followed by the R7 in September 2024. The current lineup also includes the V9 MPV and the RX all-electric coupe SUV, which launched on September 28, 2026.
In 2024, Chery upgraded Luxeed into an independent business unit with separate accounting and autonomous operations, responsible for research and development, production, and sales. On January 23, 2025, Anhui Luxeed New Energy Vehicle Co Ltd was established in Wuhu with registered capital of $149.3M (~AUD 214.9M), with Chery as the sole shareholder at the time.
On August 7, 2025, Chery and Huawei signed the Luxeed brand strategy 2.0 cooperation agreement in Shenzhen. Under this agreement, the two companies committed to investing more than $1.5B (~AUD 2.1B) in R&D at Luxeed and expanding the R&D team to 5,000 people.
Leadership and Ownership Changes
Luxeed’s management team has seen significant changes in 2026. In January, Zhao Changjiang, formerly general manager of BYD’s Denza sales division, joined as executive director and executive vice president. In April, Guo Rui, previously CMO of Huawei’s consumer business for Greater China and global CMO of Honor, became Luxeed’s chairman and CEO, succeeding Yu Jiufeng.
At the end of June, Luxeed completed business registration changes. Chery’s stake decreased from 100% to 85%, while two equity investment partnerships in Wuhu each now hold 7.5%. After tracing the ownership structure, Guo Rui indirectly holds about 6%, and Zhao Changjiang about 4.5%.
Sales Performance
Luxeed sold 90,493 vehicles in 2025, representing a 56% increase year-on-year. However, in the first nine months of 2026, cumulative sales reached 43,623 units, down 24.50% compared to the same period last year.
Why this matters
Luxeed’s move to obtain an independent carmaking license marks a significant shift in China’s EV industry, reflecting the growing trend of joint-venture brands seeking operational autonomy. The transition from a Chery badge to a Luxeed badge will help the brand establish its own identity in a competitive market.
The planned IPO and large-scale R&D investments highlight Luxeed’s ambitions for long-term growth and innovation, while the management changes and evolving ownership structure suggest a focus on leadership with experience in both the automotive and technology sectors.
What this means for buyers
Buyers can expect future Luxeed vehicles to carry the Luxeed badge instead of Chery, signaling a new phase for the brand. The company’s increased independence and investment in R&D may lead to more innovative models and improved after-sales support.
Those considering a Luxeed vehicle should watch for updates on the license approval and potential changes in branding, as well as any new models or features resulting from the expanded R&D efforts.
Key Specs
- Production Address: No. 8 Wanjiang Avenue, Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone, Anhui province
- Registered Capital: $149.3M (~AUD 214.9M)
- Planned R&D Investment: More than $1.5B (~AUD 2.1B)
- 2025 Sales: 90,493 units
- 2026 YTD Sales (Jan–Sep): 43,623 units
- R&D Team Size Target: 5,000 people
- Ownership Structure (June 2026): Chery 85%, two Wuhu partnerships 7.5% each, Guo Rui ~6%, Zhao Changjiang ~4.5%
Images sourced from: cnevpost.com, baidu.com
