Aistaland secures strategic funding from CATL and SOEs

Aistaland, a premium youth-focused smart electric vehicle brand co-developed by GAC Group and Huawei Qiankun, has sealed a $147.76 million strategic capital increase. The funding round, finalized on July 14, was backed by leading battery maker CATL and a number of state-owned enterprise investors, lifting the brand's registered capital from $310.31 million to $445,47 million.

Boasting an integrated development model, the brand leverages GAC's sophisticated manufacturing experience and rigorous quality control system, together with Huawei Qiankun's full-stack strengths in autonomous driving, smart cockpit and vehicle-cloud connectivity technologies.

Its debut model, Aistaland GT7, secured over 5,200 orders within 24 hours of its launch, with more than 60 percent of orders from buyers in their twenties and thirties. Nationwide deliveries officially started on July 9, enabling users to access the full functions of Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 intelligent driving system upon vehicle pickup. The brand is set to launch its second model GX7 in the second half of 2026 and expand a full-range product portfolio between 2027 and 2028.

The Horizon GT7 red shooting brake makes its elegant debut at a European-style estate. [Photo/WeChat account: nanshafabu]

Serving as a pivotal milestone for the brand, the capital injection will help Aistaland to integrate state-backed resources, market-oriented operation efficiency and cutting-edge technologies, boosting its competitiveness in China's thriving new energy vehicle market.