China’s rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) sector is about to welcome a unique new player.
Automaker Seres Group is preparing to introduce a fresh automotive brand later this year through its newly restructured company, Saidou Technology, in collaboration with ByteDance’s cloud and artificial intelligence platform, Volcano Engine.
The upcoming brand has already attracted industry attention, with many referring to it as the “TikTok car” due to ByteDance’s involvement. The move highlights the growing integration of artificial intelligence and smart technologies into the automotive industry.
Major Restructuring Paves Way for New Brand
The launch follows a significant corporate transformation. Formerly known as Chongqing Landian Technology, the company officially changed its name to Chongqing Saidou Technology after securing a major capital injection worth 6.67 billion yuan (around $953 million).
The investment was backed by several prominent stakeholders, including a government-supported fund from Chongqing’s Shapingba District, a subsidiary of battery giant CATL, Bojun Technology, and Xingyu Shares.
As part of the restructuring, Seres reduced its ownership stake to approximately 32.96%, while the government-backed investment platform became the largest shareholder with a 34.50% stake.
The strategic shift is expected to strengthen Seres’ financial position by separating legacy operations that had previously weighed on profitability.
AI-Powered Vehicle Targets Young Buyers
Industry sources indicate that Saidou Technology’s first vehicle will arrive before the end of 2026. The model is expected to be a crossover that blends the practicality of an SUV with the sleek styling of a sedan.
Buyers will reportedly have a choice between a fully electric version and a range-extender variant. Production is expected to take place at the Seres Phoenix manufacturing facility, which is currently being upgraded for the new project.
What makes the new brand stand out is its strong focus on artificial intelligence. Unlike Seres’ Aito lineup, which relies on Huawei’s intelligent driving technologies, the new brand is expected to utilize Volcano Engine’s advanced AI cockpit systems and large language model capabilities to enhance user interaction and in-car experiences.
Growing Competition in China’s EV Industry
The brand is being positioned for younger, tech-savvy consumers and will operate through dedicated sales channels in both domestic and overseas markets.
Its launch also reflects a broader trend across China’s automotive sector, where companies are creating specialized sub-brands to capture emerging market segments. Automakers such as Leapmotor and Xiaomi are also reportedly preparing new sub-brand launches this year.
Meanwhile, Seres continues to post steady growth. The company sold 33,476 new energy vehicles in May 2026, while cumulative sales during the first five months of the year reached 145,108 units, marking a 15.14% year-on-year increase.
As AI becomes a key battleground in the automotive industry, the upcoming Saidou brand could emerge as one of the most closely watched EV launches in China this year.
