Chongqing – "I believe the future cars will evolve into intelligent automotive robots," said Zhu Huarong, NPC deputy and Chairman of Changan Automobile, during the 2025 China's Two Sessions.

Zhu emphasized that automobiles are increasingly becoming multi-functional platform products that serve not only as vehicles but also as work assistants, life partners, financial experts, and emotional companions for users. Leading this transformative shift in the automotive industry, Changan Automobile, under Zhu's leadership, is at the forefront of AI-powered intelligent vehicles in Chongqing.

As of 2024, Changan Automobile has invested 114.8 billion yuan (about 16.19 billion USD) to establish a global R&D network spanning six countries and ten locations. The company has also launched 17 technology firms and 16 product research platforms, building a software and AI talent pool of over 5,000 people.

Zhu believes Chongqing holds significant potential in the intelligent connected new energy vehicle sector. Alongside Changan, brands such as Seres and AVATR are rapidly reshaping the global image of Chongqing's auto industry, driving a fast-paced transformation across the entire sector.

He further noted that the industry's structure is shifting from mechanical components to soft technologies, including chips and software, and may even evolve into new service industries.

"Changan is committed to becoming an intelligent, low-carbon mobility technology company and a world-class brand," Zhu said. "I'm confident that Chongqing will have a significant role to play in the global automotive industry."

As an NPC deputy, Zhu also conducts industry research in his daily life. During this process, he identified some challenges, including the lack of a common database for overseas automobile markets.

Zhu pointed out that Chinese auto brands face numerous hurdles in their internationalization efforts. For instance, the complex policies and regulations across different countries often lead to repeated investments, resulting in significant resource waste.

To address these challenges, Zhu suggested in this year's Two Sessions that China enhance the global competitiveness of its intelligent vehicles. His suggestions included accelerating the development of autonomous driving regulations and standards, creating a national-level shared database for overseas automobile markets, and strengthening national support for scientific and technological innovation.

(Huan Ran, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)