Once hailed as China’s ultra-premium EV, HiPhi has faced many ups and downs since its inception in 2019. Launched with futuristic designs, cutting-edge tech, and ambitious global aspirations, HiPhi quickly captured global attention.
However, by 2023, HiPhi faced intensifying competition from other Chinese EV brands and a slowdown in demand for ultra-premium pure-electric models. By the end of 2024, its parent company, Human Horizons, finally suspended all operations and filed for pre-bankruptcy restructuring. Many saw it as a potential death of this remarkable marque.
But in early 2026, signs of a strategic resurrection are emerging—fueled by new partnerships, leaner operations, and a bold reimagining of its brand identity. This is the story of HiPhi’s phoenix-like revival.
The Fall from Grace
Founded in 2019 by former SAIC executive Ding Lei, HiPhi burst onto the scene with its audacious HiPhi X—an $80,000+ SUV boasting gullwing doors, AI-driven personalization, and a “Digital Vehicle” philosophy with advanced human-machine interaction. The HiPhi Z sedan followed, doubling down on avant-garde design and immersive tech. At that time, HiPhi was being admired for its advanced technology.
Yet by 2023-24, cracks started to appear. Despite strong initial buzz, sales lagged behind the break-even thresholds. High R&D costs, an overextended dealer network, and intensifying competition from NIO, Zeekr, and even BYD’s premium offerings strained finances. By late 2024, Human Horizons had halted production, laid off its workforce, and entered a period of strategic review.
HiPhi Turnaround Blueprint
By mid-2025, a comprehensive restructuring plan began taking shape. Initially, Lebanon’s EV Electra committed to inject significant funds aiming to restart production. However, the collaboration collapsed, delaying revival.
Undeterred, its interim administrators pressed forward. As of January 2026 reports, two secret prospective investors remain in active, substantive negotiations to revive HiPhi. The official HiPhi website remains active with test drives still bookable, suggesting at least promotional continuity. If successful, HiPhi could become one of the first EV manufacturers to revive back from dormancy.
“We’re not just rebuilding a car company. We’re redefining what intelligent luxury means in the age of AI,” says Ding Lei, founder of HiPhi.
Challenges Ahead
Despite promising signals, skepticism remains. Can HiPhi rebuild consumer trust after its near-collapse? Will its software-defined vision resonate in markets where Huawei OS is a dominant player along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay?
No doubt, HiPhi has got the tech DNA, but this time around it needs to cut down costs, try to reduce prices, focus on key markets, and form strategic alliances.
Conclusion: HiPhi Could Be a New Chapter in Chinese Ultra-Premium EVs
HiPhi’s saga highlights the volatility of the premium EV segment. Unlike liquidated peers, HiPhi retains valuable IP, facilities, and a dedicated owner base. A successful revival could even inspire other struggling startups and prove that even in a hyper-competitive market, bold innovation and strategic partnerships can enable second acts.
The era of burning cash for hype is over. The future belongs to those who blend visionary tech with operational pragmatism. For now, HiPhi lingers in limbo—neither fully gone nor triumphantly returned—but undeniably alive with possibility.
In an industry where many flame out quickly, the pursuit of resurrection alone makes HiPhi’s story one of the most intriguing in the EV world today. If successful, HiPhi won’t just return—it may redefine the rules of the premium EV game once again.
