Aiva Origin concept car. Credit: Saidou Technology Understand China EV’s Market Real-time notifications when critical EV data is released All important data in one place 2,000,000+ data points Become a member Aiva, the new automotive brand from Chongqing Saidou Technology, is expected to adopt battery swapping solutions provided by CATL, according to exclusive sources quoted by Late Post. Insiders reveal that Aiva is currently in discussions with CATL to integrate a battery swap model into its ecosystem, with detailed planning still underway. The brand’s first mass-produced model, the Aiva ME7, is scheduled to make its debut before the end of this year. Pre-orders are expected to open in early 2027, with the vehicle intended for both the Chinese market and international export. To support its market entry, Aiva is currently constructing its first flagship store in the Guanghuan business district of Chongqing. The decision to pursue battery swapping is closely linked to Aiva’s corporate structure. Chongqing Saidou Technology (formerly Chongqing Landian Technology) recently underwent a capital increase of approximately 6.671 billion yuan (1 billion USD). The company’s ownership is currently led by Chongqing local state-owned assets as the largest shareholder, followed by Seres as the second-largest. CATL also holds a stake through its investment platform. Under this strategic alliance, Seres provides comprehensive support in vehicle manufacturing, supply chain management, quality systems, and engineering expertise, with production taking place at the Seres Phoenix Plant. CATL contributes battery technology, safety expertise, and charging/swapping infrastructure. As of June 30, 2026, CATL reported a total of 2,000 “Chocolate” battery swap stations across 180 cities in 31 provinces nationwide for passenger cars. By tapping into an established public swapping network, Aiva can reduce the financial burden of building its own energy replenishment system while increasing efficiency. Furthermore, the battery leasing model decouples battery costs from the vehicle price, potentially narrowing the gap between the consumer’s actual payment and the product’s premium positioning, thereby providing the brand with greater pricing flexibility. Launched in early June, Aiva operates under the product philosophy “AI defines the car: AI first, then the vehicle.” While its official Chinese name is still under discussion, the brand’s entire lineup is planned to target the mainstream market with price points above 200,000 yuan (29,400 USD). Beyond its primary shareholders, Aiva has enlisted several high-tech partners. Volcano Engine (a ByteDance subsidiary) provides the “Doubao” large language model and intelligent cockpit capabilities through a “joint definition, joint design” partnership. For advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), Aiva has adopted solutions from DeepRoute. This year, CATL launched the 26# Chocolate battery for larger vehicle models. It features an 800V high-voltage architecture, with the initial version offering a capacity of 75 kWh, expanding the compatibility range from the previous A0-B segments to the B-C segments. Based on its model type, the Aiva ME7 is very likely to use this version of the battery. Photos of the Aiva Origin Concept car. Most important news in your inbox. Recaps · scheduled All you need, in one email. Instant alerts · real-time Ping me when an article goes live. 0 of 27 topics selected Bundle into one email per day — instead of one email per article No spam · Unsubscribe with one click · Change settings anytime
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