With China regaining dominance in the global EV market, cornering 53% of global sales in 2021, Changan Automobile levels up its new energy vehicle capabilities with the addition of the Avatr EV brand.
Changan Auto, 5G leader Huawei, and the world’s leading lithium battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), entered into a joint venture to develop a new breed of intelligent high-performing electric cars under the Avatr brand.
Avatr will operate as an independent entity, assembling EVs based on its new architecture, using automotive chips designed by Huawei. The first Avatr model is expected to hit the China market this year, boasting 200 kW of supercharging, a driving range of up to 700 km on one charge, and acceleration time of zero to 100 km/hour in less than four seconds.
“Given these exciting developments, Changan is truly on a massive EV offensive. Under its new energy program, the Shangri-La Plan, it aims to be a global leader in EV by 2030. With the rising fuel prices and the Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act (Senate Bill No. 1382) soon to be passed into law, we are optimistic that the much-desired EV ecosystem will be established, so that more and more Filipinos will be given the chance to enjoy the benefits of owning one of world’s best-selling pure electric cars,” said Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, CMPI president and CEO of Changan Motor Philippines, Inc. (CMPI), the official distributor of Changan cars in the Philippines.
Known to dedicate some 5% of its annual sales to research and development (R&D), the Changan Group recently announced a whopping USD12.55 billion (B) priority investment on NEVs by the end of 2025 with projected sales of 1.5 million (M) electric cars and plug-in hybrids or some 35% of the company’s total sales for that year.