Avita Questions Similarity of New Brand AIVA; Seed Tech Launches Brand Same Day, Denies Vehicle Partnership with ByteDance

On June 9, Avatr posted on social media that a certain brand had recently emerged in the market with a name design highly similar to its own. While acknowledging it as an "honor," Avatr emphasized it was more of a warning, stressing that China's automotive industry should avoid simplistic copying or improper "reverse engineering." The company called on the industry to jointly promote original innovation. Avatr Technology’s legal department subsequently reposted the statement, clearly declaring its firm opposition to unfair competition practices that disrupt market order and reserving the right to pursue legal action. On the same day, Saidou Technology announced on its official platform that it would unveil a new AI-powered automotive brand, “AIVA,” later that evening. According to the company, AIVA stands for “Artificial Intelligence Voyage Ahead,” symbolizing AI accompanying users on their journey forward, while also evoking the Chinese phrase “love me” (ài wǒ). The brand aims to address user needs through warm, human-centric AI technology. Although Avatr did not explicitly name the brand in question, netizens widely speculated it referred to AIVA. Saidou Technology was formerly known as Chongqing Landian Technology Co., Ltd. The Landian brand was launched by Seres in March 2023, targeting the mid-to-low-end market segment priced between RMB 100,000 and 150,000, but received lukewarm market response. In February 2024, Seres announced it would spin off Landian’s assets into a newly established company and bring in investment from a government-backed fund affiliated with Shapingba District in Chongqing, along with external investors. Following the capital increase, the government platform acquired approximately 33.5% ownership, becoming the largest shareholder, while Seres retained about 32% and held only one seat on the five-member board, thereby relinquishing control over the company. Industry observers interpreted this move as a strategic adjustment aimed at optimizing asset structure and improving financial performance. On May 29, Chongqing Landian Technology officially changed its name to Chongqing Saidou Technology Co., Ltd. This renaming was led by Shaci Zhiyuan New Energy Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership), a platform established under the leadership of Shaxing Group and co-invested by Ningbo-based CATL subsidiary Wending Investment, Jiangsu Bojun Technology, and Changzhou Xingyu, collectively injecting RMB 3.43 billion. Authorities in Shapingba District stated that this marked a new phase in the restructuring of Landian’s automotive business, with Saidou Technology now focusing on intelligent, connected new-energy passenger vehicles to build differentiated competitive advantages. According to media reports, Saidou Technology will serve as the legal entity for Seres’ new automotive brand, which targets young, sporty consumers and is scheduled for launch in June 2024. Its products will be sold through independent sales channels in both domestic and overseas markets. The first model is expected to debut within the year—likely a crossover vehicle offering both battery-electric and extended-range powertrain options—and will be manufactured at Seres’ Phoenix Factory, currently undergoing production line upgrades. In response to speculation about “ByteDance entering the auto industry,” ByteDance issued a statement on June 6 clarifying that Saidou is neither a car brand launched by ByteDance nor its AI assistant Dobby, and there is no equity partnership between the two parties. Volcano Engine and Dobby merely act as technology service providers, offering large AI models and smart cockpit solutions to the automotive sector, without involvement in vehicle manufacturing or brand operations. Founded in 2018, Avatr is backed by Changan Automobile (majority shareholder), Huawei, and CATL (second-largest shareholder). In November 2023, Avatr filed for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, planning to use the proceeds for product development, technological R&D, brand building, channel expansion, and working capital. In May 2024, its prospectus automatically lapsed after six months, but Avatr stated this was part of standard IPO procedures and confirmed it was updating required documents for prompt re-submission, emphasizing that its listing process remains unaffected.