Changan Automobile has reached a significant milestone in its intelligent mobility journey after its DEEPAL brand received product access approval for Level 3 autonomous driving, positioning the company at the forefront of next-generation driving technology.
The approval allows DEEPAL vehicles to independently manage key driving functions under defined conditions, including traffic congestion on highways and urban expressways. In line with Level 3 autonomy requirements, drivers must remain alert and ready to assume control when prompted, ensuring a balanced approach between automation and human oversight.
This achievement reinforces Changan’s leadership in intelligent driving technologies and reflects its commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and future-ready mobility solutions for global markets.
Safety remains central to Changan’s autonomous driving strategy. The Level 3 certification follows extensive system-level validation, encompassing more than 5 million kilometres of real-world testing across 185 driving scenarios, with over a third conducted under extreme conditions. These rigorous tests demonstrate the system’s reliability and its ability to operate responsibly within clearly defined boundaries.
At the core of this capability is SDA Intelligence, Changan’s proprietary intelligent driving framework. Designed as a full-lifecycle, closed-loop safety system, SDA Intelligence integrates vehicle engineering, software development, multi-layer testing, cybersecurity safeguards, and continuous real-world monitoring. This comprehensive approach ensures autonomous functions are deployed securely, operate strictly within approved parameters, and continuously evolve through data-driven insights.
Changan’s progress in autonomous driving is supported by decades of automotive expertise and a robust global research and development network spanning six countries and ten locations. With more than 24,000 engineers, over 180 laboratories, and more than CNY 60 billion invested in R&D in recent years, the company has built a strong foundation for innovation and rapid technological advancement.
The Level 3 approval marks a crucial step in Changan’s strategy to expand intelligent driving solutions across key international markets. By combining cutting-edge technology, extensive engineering capabilities, and a safety-first philosophy, Changan is well positioned to deliver advanced and trustworthy mobility solutions for the evolving global automotive landscape.