Avatr

Intelligent Luxury EV Companion

Intelligent Luxury EV Companion🇨🇳 Chongqing, ChinaEV-native

Founded

2018

Chongqing

Making EVs since

2022

Entered EU

2025

EVs on EVRadar

Service network

Limited

The story

Avatr (formerly Changan NIO) is a premium Chinese electric vehicle brand founded in 2018 as a joint venture between Changan Automobile, Huawei, and CATL. The brand combines Changan’s manufacturing expertise with Huawei’s full-stack smart car solution (HarmonyOS, ADS autonomous driving) and CATL’s advanced battery technology. After a rebranding to Avatr in 2021, it launched the Avatr 11 SUV in 2022 and the Avatr 12 grand tourer in 2023. The company announced European market entry in 2025 with a range of smart EVs including the compact Avatr 06.

Official site →

Worth knowing

The name 'Avatr' is a stylized version of 'Avatar', reflecting the brand’s vision of a digital human and connected mobility.

Avatr vehicles are deeply integrated with Huawei’s ecosystem, including HarmonyOS infotainment and the HiCar mobile connectivity platform.

The Avatr 11 was styled by the NIO design team in Munich, giving it a distinctive European aesthetic.

Avatr’s REEV models can drive over 1,100 km of combined range, eliminating range anxiety.

The road here

EV milestones

2018: Founded as Changan NIO, a joint venture between Changan and NIO.

2021: Rebranded to Avatr Technology; Huawei and CATL join as strategic partners.

2022: Avatr 11 electric SUV launched in China with Huawei Inside.

2023: Avatr 12 luxury sedan unveiled at IAA Mobility in Munich.

2024: Avatr 07 and compact Avatr 06 models unveiled.

2025: European sales officially commence, starting with selected left‑hand‑drive markets.

Brand DNA

Huawei InsideChangan-CATL-Huawei JVSmart EVPremiumDigital Cockpit

The honest read

Strengths

+Huawei’s advanced ADAS and infotainment provide a highly intelligent driving experience.
+Strong partnership with CATL ensures top‑tier battery safety and performance.
+Both pure electric and range‑extended powertrains cover all use cases.
+European‑influenced design and quality feel.

Watch-outs

–Brand recognition in Europe is still in its infancy.
–Service and sales network remain very limited outside China.
–Heavy reliance on Huawei’s app ecosystem may not fully integrate with European digital services.
–Residual values and long‑term reliability are unproven in export markets.

Battery & platform DNA

Avatr sources its battery cells predominantly from CATL, utilizing advanced cell-to-pack (CTP) technology for high energy density and fast charging. The Avatr 06 EV variant features an 800‑volt architecture capable of ultra‑fast charging, while the REEV (range‑extended) variants pair CATL lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) batteries with a 1.5‑litre turbo‑petrol engine as a generator. Intelligent battery thermal management and pre‑conditioning ensure consistent performance and range.

EVRadar verdict

Avatr brings a compelling mix of Huawei’s software smarts, CATL’s battery technology, and Changan’s manufacturing scale. The Avatr 06 compact SUV is poised to challenge established European players with its versatile REEV and EV powertrains and connected features. Success in Europe will depend on building a robust service network and adapting the digital experience to local tastes.

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