Seris-Backed Firm Launches AI Auto Brand AIVA; First Mass-Production Model to Debut in 2026

On June 9, Sidou Technology unveiled its new AI-powered automotive brand, AIVA, in Beijing, alongside the debut of the AIVA Origin Concept car. The brand’s first mass-production model, the AIVA ME7, is scheduled to launch within 2026 and will target the mainstream market segment priced above RMB 200,000. The name “AIVA” stands for “Artificial Intelligence Voyage Ahead,” reflecting the brand’s core philosophy: “AI defines the car—AI comes first, then the vehicle.” Volcano Engine, a subsidiary of ByteDance, will provide AIVA with key technological support, including the Doubao large language model and intelligent cockpit solutions. The two parties have adopted a “hardware-software integrated” collaboration model based on joint definition and co-design. Sidou Technology was formerly known as Chongqing Landian Technology Co., Ltd. In late May 2024, the company completed a capital increase and share expansion round totaling approximately RMB 6.671 billion and officially changed its name. Following the capital injection, Shaci Zhiyuan, a local Chongqing state-owned investment platform, became the largest shareholder. SERES Group’s stake was reduced to approximately 32.96%, while industry-chain investors such as Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) also participated in the funding round. Consequently, SERES transitioned from a controlling shareholder to a significant minority investor, and Sidou Technology now operates independently. This equity restructuring enables SERES to transform its former Landian-related assets into a new platform jointly supported by multiple stakeholders, thereby alleviating the financial burden associated with independently funding the development of a new brand—including investments in intelligent technologies, batteries, supply chains, and sales channels. Additionally, divesting this business is expected to improve SERES’ consolidated financial performance, enhancing key metrics such as gross margin and return on equity. As an independent entity, Sidou Technology now enjoys greater operational autonomy, allowing it to independently plan production capacity, supply chain strategy, market positioning, and marketing resources. Its shareholders bring clearly defined strengths: Chongqing’s state-owned capital provides local industrial and policy support; CATL supplies power battery and energy system solutions; SERES contributes expertise in vehicle manufacturing, supply chain management, and engineering; and the AIVA brand focuses exclusively on product development, branding, and business execution. The AIVA brand targets the new energy vehicle (NEV) market segment above RMB 200,000—a segment characterized by a large user base, high repurchase frequency, and strong consumer acceptance of features like intelligent cockpits and AI-driven interactions. AIVA’s entry marks SERES’ strategic evolution from traditional vehicle manufacturing toward a synergistic model integrating manufacturing capabilities, industrial capital, and an AI technology platform.