Shanghai (ZXZC)- In the past year, Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (Changan Auto), the China's fourth-largest automaker, did many big moves in various areas. Let's look back on the automaker's top stories in 2017.

FAW, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Changan sign cooperation agreement

On December 1st 2017, FAW, Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFM) and Changan Auto, China's three largest state-owned automakers, signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement. According to the agreement, the three parties will cooperate in technology pioneering and innovation, auto whole value chain operation, overseas businesses expansion and new business mode creation.

Changan Auto gets permit to test autonomous vehicles on California roads

On November 11 last year, Changan Auto vice president Li Wei revealed that the company had received its autonomous vehicle testing permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles which will accelerate its development in the autonomous driving sphere.

Changan Auto plans to gain CATL's equity indirectly

On October 31, Changan Auto announced that it plans to invest Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) by purchasing the fund shares of Zhenjiang Demao Hairun Equity Investment Fund Partnership, aiming to ensure its development and also strengthen the cooperation with CATL. After the acquisition, Changan Auto will be the partner of Zhenjiang Demao Hairun Fund with partnership shares of 32.67%, and will possess 0.3855% of CATL's shares indirectly.

Changan Auto initiates “Shangri-La Plan” to build new energy vehicle ecosystem in the future

On October 19, 2017, Changan Auto released its Mission Shangri-La new energy strategy while launching three new electric models at the China National Convention Center in Beijing City. Mission implementation includes four strategic actions, one hundred billion investment in new energy vehicle area, R&D by ten thousand people, partnership planning in sharing economy and a new energy vehicle platform building.

Changan Auto cuts price to promote sales

In May 2017, Changan Auto started official price cut for the first time in 2017. Any customer buying CS15, CS24, CS75, New Eado, New Eado XT, Alsvin V3, Alsvin V7, New Benni and Raeton will enjoy price benefits from RMB 4,000 to 18,000. All the star models, apart from CS95 and Ling Xuan, will join in the price cuts. 

Changan Auto starts construction of a global R&D center in Liangjiang New Area

On April 13, Changan Auto started construction of a global R&D center at its production base in Liangjiang's Yufu Industrial Park on April 13. At the same time, Changan Auto's first middle-sized MPV was officially off the production line which marked that the Liangjiang New Area-based new plant was put into operation. With an investment of 3.83 billion yuan, the factory covers an area of 908 mu (around 605 thousand square meters) with a designed production capacity of to 240,000 units per year.

Changan Auto signs strategic cooperation agreement with NIO

In April 2017, Changan Auto and NIO, a China's EV startup, signed a strategic cooperation agreement to co-build a joint venture. The Changan-NIO JV will focus on research, sales and service for electric vehicles. Besides, under a broader partnership the two sides would also share resources related to smart vehicle technologies, manufacturing and other areas.

Changan Auto teams up with iFlytek to develop intelligent vehicles

On March 14, Changan Auto and iFlytek Co., Ltd. (iFLYTEK), a leading company in Chinese intelligent speech industry, signed a strategic cooperation agreement to set up a joint lab with a focus on technology R&D and product design for auto intelligentization and vehicle applications. The cooperation aims to provide people with more convenient services and a better experience in travelling.