With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.
BAIC Group, Changan Automobile enter strategic partnership
On June 13, BAIC Group announced that it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China Changan Automobile Group. The two parties will focus on collaboration in key areas including forward-looking technologies and emerging industries, green and low-carbon development, industrial and supply chain integration, as well as overseas markets. Together, they aim to explore new pathways for modern state-owned enterprise cooperation between central and local governments, and jointly build a new framework for high-quality development of China's automotive industry.
As two pillar enterprises in China's automotive sector, BAIC Group and Changan Automobile share a common mission of strengthening national automotive brands, driving industrial transformation and upgrading, and supporting the development of a new growth paradigm. Notably, both companies are among the first—and only two—automakers in China to have obtained regulatory approval for Level 3 autonomous driving vehicles, marking their early entry into the L3 autonomous driving era.
This strategic partnership represents a concrete step toward deeper collaboration in response to the call of the new era. Leveraging their respective strengths in R&D, industrial chain resources, and overseas expansion, both sides aim to enable resource sharing, value co-creation, and mutual benefit, contributing jointly to the high-quality development of China's automotive industry.
Huawei-backed HIMA unveils its first luxury off-road SUV STELATO G9
Recently, the new model STELATO G9 under Huawei-backed Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) was officially unveiled. Positioned as the brand's first technology-driven luxury off-road SUV, it belongs to the flagship "Series 9" product lineup and has already been listed in China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) vehicle catalog.
According to regulatory filings, the STELATO G9 adopts a boxy, rugged design with strong off-road styling cues. In terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures 5206–5377 mm in length, 2050 mm in width, and 1897 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3160 mm. It will be offered in both extended-range electric and pure electric variants, both built on an 800V high-voltage architecture and equipped with the new "Jujing" battery pack. The range-extended version features a 75 kWh battery, while the pure electric version is equipped with a 120 kWh pack.
In terms of intelligent driving, the Shangjie G9 is equipped with Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5.0 autonomous driving system, supported by a dual-path imaging automotive-grade LiDAR system (896-line configuration). The vehicle also features redesigned C-pillar side cameras, Huawei's headlights, dual-color DLP projection, and electrochromic smart glass. Additional options include roof racks, electric tow hooks, deployable side steps, and a variety of wheel designs.
Renault establishes R&D center in Hangzhou
On June 15, Renault Group announced the official launch of its ACDC (Advanced Creative Development Center) R&D office in Hangzhou. This follows the operational launch of its Shanghai R&D office, marking the establishment of Renault's second ACDC hub in China.
With this development, Renault has formed a dual-site R&D structure in China—"Shanghai + Hangzhou." According to the company, the Shanghai office continues to focus on hardware integration, powertrain systems, and full vehicle engineering, while the Hangzhou office is dedicated to software, artificial intelligence, and user experience innovation.
The division of responsibilities is clearly defined: Shanghai leads hardware development, while Hangzhou specializes in software. Together, they create a complementary R&D ecosystem covering both hardware and software capabilities. The role of Renault's ACDC is also evolving—from project execution toward becoming a global competence center, serving as an accelerator for enabling "Tech-Ready" capabilities under its futuREady strategy.
Beyond geographic expansion, Renault's move reflects a deeper strategic intent: to systematically leverage China's unmatched speed and capabilities in software and AI ecosystems, transforming them into reusable assets that can support its global vehicle development programs.
