On August 11, China Changan Automobile and Huawei signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement in Shenzhen, deepening collaboration in AI, large models, and digital energy, with all five Changan brands appearing at the signing ceremony.
High-Level Meeting: Reading the Cooperation Landscape from the Backdrop
On August 11, China Changan Automobile Group and Huawei Technologies formally signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement in Shenzhen. Changan Chairman Zhu Huarong and Huawei Rotating Chairman Xu Zhijun personally attended and witnessed the signing. Notably, the backdrop displayed all five Changan brands: Avatr, Deepal, Nevo, Changan, and Kaicheng, underscoring the agreement's strategic scope across the entire group.
Under the agreement, both parties will deepen cooperation in the following areas:
- AI products and scenarios — Exploring AI applications in the automotive sector
- General and automotive vertical large models — Building industry-grade intelligent infrastructure
- Digital infrastructure and computing power — Strengthening technical foundations
- Digital energy — Collaborating on charging networks and energy management
- Internationalization — Jointly expanding overseas markets
- Digital talent — Jointly cultivating intelligentization professionals
Controversy and Response: A Dramatic Turnaround in Three Days
Just three days before the signing, a controversy emerged. On August 8, media reported that Avatr Vice President Yong Jun had stated that "cooperation with Huawei is not a necessary option," sparking speculation about strained relations. Avatr quickly responded, calling the interpretation a misunderstanding, clarifying that the comment referred specifically to Huawei's Inwheel creating exclusive ADAS versions, not the overall partnership value.
The high-level signing three days later served as the most definitive response to external doubts. Zhu Huarong's personal visit to Huawei and in-depth discussions with Xu Zhijun on intelligent connected vehicles and digital transformation sent a strong signal that the partnership has entered a new phase.
| Cooperation Dimension | Existing Achievements | Future Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Avatr's 11.5B yuan investment for 10% of Huawei Inwheel | Continued deepening of equity cooperation |
| Technology | Huawei's thousand-person team stationed at Avatr HQ | Joint R&D on AI large models |
| Products | Avatr full lineup equipped with Huawei Qiankun ADS | First co-developed product launching H2 2026 |
| Ecosystem | Nevo joined Huawei's ultra-fast charging alliance | Full digital energy synergy |
Partnership Upgrade: From Single Tech Adaptation to Full-Chain Collaboration
Reviewing the cooperation history, the Changan-Huawei relationship has undergone clear escalation:
- Early stage — Huawei as supplier providing HI-mode full-stack solutions to Avatr
- Capital stage — In 2024, Avatr invested 11.5B yuan for 10% of Huawei Inwheel, valued at 115.2B yuan
- Current stage — Group-level strategic framework agreement expanding from single-brand to full-brand, full-chain deep collaboration
A key signal of this cooperation is that both parties are no longer satisfied with single-function tech adaptation, but are moving toward full-chain co-construction. From joint R&D, testing to certification, forming a collaborative system covering the complete technical ecosystem. For overseas consumers, this means Changan brands' products will see continuously improved intelligent capabilities.
For overseas buyers sourcing Changan vehicles through platforms like EX1000.COM, the intelligent configurations of subsequent models are expected to remain highly competitive.
