You forgot they are still a leading global provider of telecommunication technology and infrastructure.

Your last point is a good one…maybe…who knows…
Huawei still have 2 unique advantages overall:
– their software is ahead of those you mentioned (not sure how far but they probably have an edge and are considered by many as the best perhaps in the world (including teslas FSD).
– Their marketing channel (selling cars in their electronics retail outlets) along with an eco system which is superior to the rest..

It is, but only by a very small amount. It is only 0.5cm shorter in wheelbase and 4cm shorter in length, which is enough to differentiate it on paper but unlikely to matter in real life outside of a marginally smaller rear cargo area/3rd row space. If the M9 was significantly bigger it would make sense to me. The biggest changes I can see is better efficiency despite a smaller battery, lower end ADAS with only 1 lidar, and different styling without the fancy front lights. I don't think that's enough to make up for a 23% lower starting price.

If they're expecting M9 sales to plummet from the incoming competition (Lynk&Co 900, Denza N9, Zeekr 9X, Hyptec HL, etc), then the M8 is a good move to undercut them while maintaining sales momentum.

Its smaller in size than M9 if I'm not mistaken…

Any company that does well gets sanctioned by America.