Changan Auto Partners with Tencent to Boost Autonomous Driving Data Collaboration

Chongqing—Changan Auto, a leading NEV manufacturer in Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area, partnered with tech giant Tencent on April 10 to enhance data sharing and collaboration for autonomous driving advancements.

On April 10, Changan Auto and Tencent signed an agreement in Chongqing to further deepen the development of intelligent driving data. (Changan Auto)

Zhong Xiangping, Vice President of Tencent Group and President of Tencent Intelligent Mobility, emphasized that data closed-loop capability will serve as the cornerstone for the evolution of autonomous driving.

A data closed-loop involves collecting road condition data during autonomous driving, analyzing and optimizing it, then feeding it back to improve the system's learning and performance, similar to a self-improving machine.

Zhang Xiaoyu, Executive VP of Changan Auto, highlighted that the company is both a data provider and consumer. Through deeper collaboration with Tencent, Changan aims to enhance its autonomous driving systems, attract more users, and generate valuable data.

Zhong also stated that Tencent will further leverage its strength in cloud computing and integration of mapping and traffic data to explore innovative data technology models with Changan Auto.

As China’s NEV market evolves into an era of intelligent development in 2025, Changan Auto is pushing forward with its autonomous driving strategy. Its latest blueprint, Dubhe Plan 2.0, targets full-scenario L3 autonomy by 2026 and L4 by 2028.

The inclusion of Changan Auto on China’s L3 autonomous driving approval list marks a major milestone. It places it among a select group of only nine domestic automakers with this distinction, including industry heavyweight BYD.

Changan Auto revealed that it has invested 114.8 billion yuan (15.73 billion USD) in intelligent technology so far, building a talent pool of over 5,000 professionals specializing in electronic architecture, software, and artificial intelligence.

Boosting smart partnerships but facing profitability challenges

In addition to Tencent, Changan Auto is collaborating with another major Chinese tech company, Huawei. Its high-end NEV brand, Avatr, has completed an equity acquisition, becoming a 10% shareholder in Yinwang, an automotive tech firm led by Huawei.

Changan Auto is advancing in smart partnerships but faces challenges balancing revenue growth and profitability. Its 2024 annual report reveals a 5.58% rise in revenue to 159.73 billion yuan, but net profit dropped by 35.37%, totaling 7.32 billion yuan.

The report also revealed that Changan's NEV subsidiaries, Deepal and Avatr, are operating at a loss. Deepal earned 37.23 billion yuan in 2024 but suffered a net loss of 1.57 billion yuan, while Avatr posted 15.35 billion yuan in revenue and a 4.02 billion yuan net loss.

The Avatr 06, the new NEV model of Avatr, is set to be officially launched on April 19. (Photo/Avatr)

Changan attributed Deepal's narrowing losses to improved product mix, increased sales, and efforts to reduce costs and enhance efficiency. As for Avatr's continued investments in product development, branding, and channel expansion aimed at enriching its product portfolio contributed to its deeper losses.

Despite these challenges, Changan Auto has achieved notable progress in its international business. Overseas sales reached 536,000 vehicles in 2024, marking a robust year-on-year growth of 49.6%. Recently, Changan Auto held a successful press conference in Europe, announcing plans to introduce its three NEV brands—Changan, Deepal, and Avatr—to the European market within the next three years, launching a total of eight models.