Gasgoo Munich-Changan Automobile Group and Huawei Technologies signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement in Shenzhen on August 11. Zhu Huarong, chairman of Changan Automobile, and Xu Zhijun, vice chairman and rotating chairman of Huawei, attended the ceremony.
Image Credit: China Changan Automobile Group
Under the agreement, both parties will deepen cooperation in areas such as AI products and scenarios, general and automotive-specific large models, digital infrastructure, computing power, and software and hardware. The partnership will also expand into digital energy, global expansion, and the cultivation of digital and intelligent talent.
The disclosed scope suggests Changan's relationship with Huawei is evolving from specific vehicle models and smart automotive solutions toward more foundational AI and digital capabilities. The inclusion of automotive-specific large models, computing power, and software and hardware signals that the partnership is no longer limited to consumer-facing features like smart cockpits and driver-assistance systems. Instead, it could penetrate deeper into R&D, manufacturing, and enterprise digitalization.
This is not the first deep tie between the two. Changan and Huawei signed a memorandum of investment cooperation in November 2023, gradually moving their partnership to the capital level. In August 2024, Avatr Technology signed an agreement to invest in Yinwang; in 2025, Avatr completed the acquisition of a 10% stake in the Huawei-backed entity. Meanwhile, Avatr has long relied on Huawei's autonomous driving and smart cockpit solutions, serving as a key platform for the duo's automotive collaboration.
Changan's own identity has shifted. In July 2025, Changan Automobile Group was officially established under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), creating a tripartite structure of central state-owned automakers alongside FAW Group and Dongfeng Corporation. For this newly formed entity, accelerating intelligent transformation and boosting the competitiveness of its proprietary technology system are challenges it cannot avoid.
Therefore, the true significance of this signing lies not in the renewed partnership between Changan and Huawei, but in the continued expansion of their cooperation boundaries. As industry competition pivots from electrification to intelligence and AI, Huawei's capabilities in computing power, large models, and ICT infrastructure hold tangible appeal for traditional automakers. Yet, as cooperation deepens, balancing reliance on external expertise with retaining control over core proprietary technology will remain a long-term challenge for carmakers.
For Changan, the agreement is merely a starting point. Whether collaborations on AI large models and digital infrastructure ultimately translate into better product experiences, R&D efficiency, and global competitiveness will depend on the execution speed of specific projects and models. More than a broad strategic agreement, the market needs to see tangible products—and whether these investments can genuinely drive sales and brand premium.
