← Changan Automobile
Avatr
"ah-VAH-tar."
>150K since launchA premium EV brand launched in 2021 by Changan Automobile together with Huawei and battery maker CATL. The name comes from "Avatar Transformation" — a nod to reinvention and new approaches in the auto industry. Avatr was conceived at Changan's global design studio in Munich, led by Nader Faghihzadeh, previously responsible for the look of BMW models including the iconic 7 Series.
Distinguishing feature
Changan originally planned a joint venture with Chinese EV startup NIO to build modern electric vehicles — founded in 2018 on a 50:50 split — but the alliance collapsed in 2020 and NIO walked away. Avatr Technology, the company that actually launched, was founded in November 2021 with CATL and Huawei instead.