Gasgoo Munich-Speaking at the 2026 China Auto Forum, Wang Hui — executive vice president of Changan Automobile and chairman of Avatr Technology (Chongqing) — said the Chinese auto sector is undergoing a profound transformation sweeping across entire enterprises. This shift is driving a "fourfold reshaping" of the market landscape, technology roadmaps, supply chain value, and competitive dynamics.
Image source: China Auto Forum
Wang noted that while domestic wholesale volumes slid 21% in the first half, exports surged 65% — with new-energy vehicle shipments jumping 122%. The globalization of Chinese automobiles is fully underway. Wang highlighted a significant rise in acceptance and recognition of Chinese brands abroad. "We now face far lower education costs overseas," he said. "You can feel the confidence in every country we visit."
On the technology front, Wang argued the industry is rapidly pivoting from the first half of electrification to the second half of intelligence. The era of "software-defined vehicles" is accelerating toward one of "AI-defined vehicles." He emphasized that 2026 marks a critical inflection point for moving technology from concept validation to mass adoption. "Whoever establishes a generational advantage in AI and intelligent driving will seize the power to define the next generation of mobility."
As Changan Automobile's premium smart brand, Avatr is accelerating its growth by leveraging three major strategies: "Beidou Tianshu," "Shangri-La," and "Haina Baichuan." Wang revealed that Changan's self-developed, single-stage end-to-end intelligent driving system, "Tianshu Linghang," will go into mass production in the second half of the year, starting with models like the Avatr 07L.
Having spent over two decades at Changan and weathered multiple shifts from micro-cars to new energy, Wang said this current wave of overseas expansion is different. "It is the first time I’ve felt that Chinese auto brands have a real shot at standing at the pinnacle of the world," he remarked. "This is the greatest fortune of our careers as automakers, underpinned by national strategy."
