Changan Auto to Launch 35 Digital Vehicles in Three Years, Phasing Out Non-Digital Models

Chongqing - On February 9, Changan Auto, a major automaker in Chongqing, unveiled its new intelligent strategy, Dubhe Plan 2.0, marking a significant step toward the company’s transformation into a digital and intelligent future.

Under the Dubhe Plan 2.0, Changan Auto launched four major digital and intelligent upgrade actions, focusing on product, manufacturing, operations, and ecosystem to accelerate its intelligent development.

Zhu Huarong, Chairman of Changan Auto, stated at the press conference that Changan Auto will focus on investment in intelligent driving technologies, energy, and product development.

Zhu added Changan plans to achieve full L3 autonomous driving by 2026 and unveil solid-state battery prototypes by late 2025. Starting this year, Changan Auto will no longer develop non-digitalized new products, with plans to launch 35 new digital vehicles in the next three years.

On February 9, at the Dubhe Plan 2.0 launch event, Zhu Huarong, Chairman of Changan Auto, delivered a speech. (Photo/Changan Auto)

Starting in 2025, Changan Auto will accelerate its factories' transition to digitalization, offering personalized, customized products, improving delivery efficiency by 40%, and reducing costs by 20%.

Changan Auto is leveraging AI algorithms to optimize inventory and cut costs. The company is also partnering with top domestic firms like OPPO and CATL and opening its API to global developers for access to vehicle platform data and functions.

Furthermore, Changan will offer a Software Development Kit (SDK) for developers worldwide, providing tools to seamlessly create intelligent applications compatible with Changan’s automotive systems.

At the conference, Zhu shared a video with leaders from Chinese automakers like Chery, Geely, and BYD, showing their commitment to advancing intelligent driving. Wang Jieyu, Editor-in-Chief of Nice Car, commented that Chinese brands are now united in their drive to break through in intelligent technology.

As a key component of the Dubhe Plan 2.0, Deepal is driving the implementation of Changan Auto's intelligent technologies. Deng Chenghao, President of Deepal, announced at the subsequent press conference that Deepal and Huawei signed a comprehensive business cooperation agreement on February 9 to jointly develop cutting-edge intelligent driving technologies.

During the event, Deepal unveiled new intelligent driving versions of the S07 and L07 models, priced from 169,900 (USD 23,257.27) to 197,900 yuan for the S07 and 151,900 to 170,900 yuan for the L07.

Huang Zhengqiao, Senior Editor of Autohome, expressed surprise at the new model launch, noting that the best-sellers now feature the latest intelligent driving tech. He emphasized that this proves Deepal is not just showing promise but actively advancing intelligent driving development.

The Deepal S09 model, which made its debut at the launch event, was surrounded by attendees. (Photo/Huxin Luo)

The highly anticipated Deepal six-seat family SUV, the S09, also made its debut at the press conference, attracting considerable attention from attendees. Deng revealed that the S09 would feature Huawei's Qian Kun Intelligent Driving ADS 3.0 system and a custom-designed Huawei Harmony Space cockpit. However, the final price was not disclosed during the event.

Huang said automakers are learning from the market experience of Li Auto, the pioneer in large-size luxury SUVs in China. By incorporating better technology, they can now produce even better large-size luxury SUV models.

Deng also introduced that Deepal's vehicle operating system, Deepal OS 3.0, will integrate with DeepSeek, the AI large model that is booming in China, and the upgrade is expected to be rolled out to all Deepal models in Q1 of 2025.

In this regard, Huang believes that the integration of DeepSeek will help optimize human-vehicle interaction, allowing drivers to communicate effectively with the vehicle using everyday language.

(Huan Ran, as an intern, also contributed to the report)