Google AI
The Times Australia

Times Media

Changan Launches 2026 Global Testing Season with SDA Intelligence Update and Sodium-Ion Battery Strategy

YAKESHI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 8 February 2026 – Changan Automobile held a release event themed "Changan SDA Intelligence Update & Global Launch of Sodium-Ion Battery Strategy" in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia.

During the event, Changan formally unveiled its global sodium-ion battery strategy and announced the commencement of its 2026 Global Testing Season.

Changan is accelerating the advancement of sodium-ion battery technology as part of its global battery strategy. Tan Benhong, Chief Brand Officer of China Changan Automobile Group, noted that Changan will continue to roll out new sodium-ion battery–equipped vehicles across multiple brands in the near future.

"From extreme conditions to everyday driving — every pursuit of limits at Changan ultimately serves to protect each of our users' everyday journeys." stated Mr. Tan.

Under extreme low temperatures, sodium-ion battery systems demonstrated stable discharge capability, with validation extending beyond minus 40 degrees Celsius. To verify intrinsic safety, Changan and CATL conducted extreme abuse tests exceeding national standards, including compression, nail penetration, drilling, and full cutting under full charge, all without fire, explosion, smoke, or thermal runaway.

SDA Intelligence: Validation in Extreme Conditions

The launch also showcased SDA Intelligence, which moves beyond passive safety into proactive, AI-driven vehicle stabilization. During live extreme-cold testing in Yakeshi, vehicles from AVATR and Changan brands—including the CS Series, CHANGAN DEEPAL, and CHANGAN NEVO—were subjected to real-world scenarios under severe low-temperature conditions.

The AVATR 12 completed an ice-surface emergency lane-change following a tire blowout at 80 km/h. CHANGAN NEVO Q05 identified obstacles on low-friction ice during an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) challenge and achieved a controlled emergency halt. CHANGAN DEEPAL L06 demonstrated rapid posture adjustments during a high-speed circular drift challenge on snow.

User-facing safety at Changan is built on a validation-first approach supported by a robust verification system and globally advanced laboratory infrastructure, including the Western Automotive Proving Ground and the CHANGAN SDA Lab, enabling comprehensive, all-scenario validation across the full vehicle lifecycle.

Yakeshi is only the starting point. The 2026 Global Testing Season will include Southeast Asia for high-humidity durability and the European Alps for high-altitude chassis tuning. In Eurasia, Changan will conduct winter testing centered on confidence in ice and snow, with AVATR 12 as the test vehicle. In Latin America, Changan will carry out a Mexico cross-country drive from Cancun to Merida, focusing on long-distance reliability.

Hashtag: #Changan

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Times Magazine

Australia Needs Permission Budgets for AI Agents

The Times recently argued that Australia should keep building the data centres the AI economy requ...

Nikon Is Developing Nine New Cinema Lenses and a Major ZR Firmware Update

Nikon is developing a new series of nine NIKKOR Z CINEMA T1.9 VV cinema lenses, designed for cinem...

The Hormuz conflict enters a more dangerous phase — and Australia will pay for every voyage

The conflict around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz has entered a more dangerous phase, with the Uni...

Technology

Australia Needs Permission Budgets …

The Times recently argued that Australia should keep building the data centres the AI economy requ...

Local News

Fitstop Global Games to Bring 1,000…

The Australian-born fitness brand is bringing its global competition home, with athletes from across...

Culture

Australia Needs Permission Budgets for AI Age…

The Times recently argued that Australia should keep building the data centres the AI economy requ...

Travel

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon — the stage where Cai…

“All the world's a stage.” Shakespeare wasn't writing about Cairns when he penned that famous lin...

The Times Features

Epson launches LifeStudio Series of smart mini projecto…

A major new chapter in smart home projection “designed for every moment” Epson has announced on...

Fitstop Global Games to Bring 1,000 Athletes to Brisban…

The Australian-born fitness brand is bringing its global competition home, with athletes from across...

AI Health Coaching Pilot Shows Potential to Extend Prim…

Early results from a New Zealand primary care rollout suggest AI could help health teams reach sig...