Chinese EV startup AIVA unveiled its first production model, the ME7, at Paris Fashion Week on the evening of September 28, marking the brand's global debut. The event highlighted the company's philosophy that 'AI defines the car; first comes AI, then the car,' now embodied in a tangible vehicle.
According to 电动邦 (DianDongBang), the choice of Paris Fashion Week was deliberate, as the city's reputation for design scrutiny offers a rigorous test for the ME7's design language. AIVA's president and product manager, Li Bo, presented the vehicle, joined by fashion industry guests in a discussion on 'the beauty of life.'
Expressive 'light eyes' and biomimetic design
The ME7's standout feature is its 'Lingdong Guangmou' (smart light eyes), which draw on biomimetic structures to mimic the transparency and depth of biological eyes. Paired with a high-precision light matrix, these headlights can display dynamic emotional expressions. For instance, when guests gestured at the car, the lights responded with different 'looks.' This external interaction interface allows the car to 'see' and 'respond' to people, fostering a sense of rapport.
The body design also follows natural forms. The front features a 'submersible nose' inspired by low-drag marine creatures, with a shark-fin bumper for aerodynamics. The side profile uses 'G4 ultra-smooth curves,' and ten air ducts channel airflow from the front, along the body, and out the rear. The rear adopts a 'double whale tail' wide-body design, with a spoiler resembling a whale's fluke. The wheels, called 'flying hub' wheels, take inspiration from bird wishbones, with semi-transparent covers for improved aerodynamics. Three exterior colors—Seawolf Silver, Coral Purple, and Flamingo Red—are derived from natural organisms, featuring light-art paint that shifts with light and angle.
Backing from industry giants
AIVA is an AI-focused mobility brand under Saidou Technology, which counts state-owned capital, Seres, CATL, and other industrial investors as shareholders. The company operates independently under modern corporate governance. This industrial backing provides AIVA with advantages in production, supply chain, and manufacturing, supporting its plan to target the mainstream market above 200,000 yuan (approximately $28,200) with a range of models.
The brand's approach is to create intelligent companions that perceive, evolve, and grow with users, with a brand philosophy of 'pleasing oneself.' The Paris debut marks the beginning of AIVA's journey to bring the 'beauty of life' into real-world mobility scenarios.
