Chongqing—On September 27-28, media representatives from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, experienced firsthand Changan Automobile’s intelligent manufacturing and innovative prowess, one of China’s leading automotive brands.
The press tour began at Changan’s digital smart factory, the world’s first fully 5G-enabled AI flexible super factory. With a 10 billion RMB investment, the factory covers 1,159 acres and has a building area of 410,000 square meters. It features an annual production capacity of 280,000 vehicles.
The factory, built on a digital foundation and cloud applications developed in collaboration with Huawei, has become an industry-leading benchmark for smart, low-carbon manufacturing.
The press representatives closely observed Changan Automobile vehicles at its R&D Center. (Photo/Changan Automobile)
The factory showcased nearly 800 robots and over 500 Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), all contributing to its impressive 100% automation rate. It delivers personalized, transparent, and flexible production powered by real-time data and AI, setting a vibrant benchmark for smart manufacturing in the automotive industry.
The CIS delegation also visited Changan Automobile’s Global R&D Center, which serves as the company’s innovation epicenter. Changan has developed industry-leading safety technologies, vehicle dynamics, NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness), and advanced powertrain solutions.
Notably, Changan’s research efforts have resulted in 5,739 new patent applications in 2023 alone, making it a top innovator in China’s automotive sector, particularly in intelligent vehicle technology.
In a testament to its global impact, Changan has taken a pioneering role in international automotive standards. As a member of the United Nations Standardization Organization, it has led the development of China’s first ITU-T international standard, highlighting China’s growing influence in the global automotive arena.
Media representatives gave a thumbs-up while test-driving Changan cars. (Photo/Changan Automobile)
Another highlight of the tour was the visit to Changan’s Global Test Center, a state-of-the-art facility representing an investment of 3 billion RMB. Spanning 3,500 acres, it stands as the only comprehensive automotive test center in western China, open to global automotive R&D and certification institutions.
The center features over 70 road surfaces, including high-speed loops, braking test tracks, dry and wet handling circuits, and noise testing tracks, simulating a wide range of real-world driving conditions.
Since 2003, Changan has shown its commitment to global expansion with a “Six Countries and Ten Places” R&D footprint. It has become one of the fastest-growing Chinese automotive brands in the CIS region, leading in Azerbaijan and experiencing the most robust growth in 2023.
Changan plans to invest in a KD (Knock-Down) plant in Kazakhstan, aiming for an ambitious annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles to strengthen its presence in the CIS market.
Sun Zejun, General Manager of the CIS Division, emphasized, “Changan is steadily advancing its strategy in the CIS market, aiming to become the most trusted Chinese automotive brand among consumers through relentless efforts and innovation.”