Changan Auto Plans to Integrate Avatr and Deepal; Domestic Fuel Prices Cut for First Time This Year

On April 21, during a briefing following Changan Automobile Group's global strategy launch event, Chairman Zhu Huarong announced strategic integration of the Avatr and Deepal brands. The goal is to build a mid-to-high-end brand portfolio with annual production capacity of 1.5 million vehicles by 2030—comprising 500,000 Avatr units and 1 million Deepal units. The integration is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 to enhance operational efficiency. On the same day, Geely Auto Group revealed it will unveil China’s first natively developed Robotaxi prototype at the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. The vehicle, deeply customized by CaoCao Mobility, is slated for mass production and commercial operation in 2027. Xiaomi Auto also announced its Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo concept car will debut at the 2026 Beijing show, having already made its global premiere at MWC Barcelona on February 28, 2026, with a physical display shown in early March. Also on April 21, Li Auto released a poster announcing the debut of the Amap Automotive Mobility AI Agent. The collaboration includes capabilities such as accurately interpreting complex travel commands, multi-turn dialogue for route adjustments, personalized navigation customization, and intelligent planning of long-distance charging routes. Amap had released a product promotional video the previous day showcasing its ability to proactively understand ambiguous and complex user intents in mobility scenarios. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume stated the company is considering further cutting up to one million units of vehicle production capacity to address overcapacity and meet cost targets. Recently, Jieshou NIO New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.—a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of NIO—was established, with business scope covering integrated circuit chip design and manufacturing, automotive component R&D, and AI application software development. Dreame Technology’s automotive project, codenamed “Stellar Plan,” has entered substantive implementation phase, aiming to begin mass production and delivery of its first coupe model in 2027. The initiative falls under the company’s internal “First Incubator” unit, with a team size of approximately 1,000 employees. In the supply chain sector, Toyota Boshoku (China) signed a joint venture agreement with HQ Tech to co-establish a new company focused on R&D and sales of intelligent cockpit control products and software. ROHM announced completion of development of its fifth-generation silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET, achieving approximately 30% lower on-resistance at 175°C junction temperature compared to the previous generation. Suzhou Hangsheng Autoliv Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd.—a joint venture between Hangsheng Electronics and Autoliv—recently held an inauguration ceremony in Changshu, marking the transition of their partnership into tangible operational phase. On the economic front, effective 24:00 on April 21, domestic retail prices for gasoline and diesel were reduced by RMB 555 and RMB 530 per tonne respectively, equivalent to decreases of RMB 0.44, RMB 0.46, and RMB 0.45 per liter for Grade 92 gasoline, Grade 95 gasoline, and Grade 0 diesel—marking the first price cut in 2024. On the same day, DeepWay announced it has closed its Pre-IPO funding round, raising over USD 310 million cumulatively—the largest single fundraising round in the heavy-duty autonomous trucking sector in nearly five years. Additionally, more than ten NEV manufacturers have recently announced price increases. Since mid-April, over 70 tire companies have issued price hike notices, primarily due to rising raw material costs; however, most adjustments range only from 1% to 5%, insufficient to fully offset cost increases. On the policy front, the General Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government issued the “Implementation Plan for the National Pilot Zone for Innovation and Development of Digital Economy (Shanghai),” proposing the establishment of data innovation platforms in fields such as autonomous driving and embodied intelligence, and fostering two to three high-quality incubators in data technology. In executive appointments, Marelli announced that Cao Ziyue, General Manager of its Lighting Business Group in Asia-Pacific, will temporarily assume the role of Global President of the Lighting Business Group and join the company’s Global Executive Committee, overseeing execution, performance, and customer relationship management for global lighting operations.