Gasgoo Munich- China Changan Automobile Group and China Telecom signed a strategic partnership agreement in Beijing on July 22, opening a new chapter in their cooperation across intelligent vehicles, digital infrastructure and industrial applications.
Image source: Changan Group
China Changan Automobile Chairman Zhu Huarong said the two state-owned groups have built a strong foundation through years of cooperation. Under the new agreement, they plan to combine Changan's automotive expertise with China Telecom's communications and digital capabilities to support the industry's transformation.
The collaboration will use digital connectivity technologies to strengthen the infrastructure underpinning intelligent vehicles, while Changan's vehicle development and manufacturing operations will provide additional scenarios for deploying information technologies. The companies also intend to develop an integrated ecosystem spanning vehicles, communications networks, cloud platforms and satellites.
China Telecom Chairman Ke Ruiwen said the telecommunications group is advancing a strategy centered on cloud services, digital transformation and AI-enabled applications. It is also developing a five-in-one intelligent cloud architecture and what it describes as an "L-shaped" strategic footprint.
China Telecom will draw on these capabilities to support Changan's transition toward more intelligent, digitally connected and environmentally sustainable operations.
The agreement expands the partnership into a broad range of business and technology areas. Planned initiatives cover vehicle procurement and employee services, group-wide oversight and treasury systems, connected-vehicle services and operations, the development of high-quality datasets, and the construction of digital factories in overseas markets.
By pooling their respective strengths, the companies aim to establish a model for strategic cooperation between centrally administered state-owned enterprises while supporting China's automotive and digital development.
Looking ahead, Changan plans to accelerate its intelligent-vehicle development around the Tianshu Pilot assisted-driving system. The automaker ultimately envisions its vehicles evolving beyond conventional transportation products into intelligent machines capable of continuous improvement.
