Changan's Robot Pivot: China's Sixth-Largest Carmaker Targets Humanoid Mass Production by 2028

Changan Automobile, one of China's largest state-owned automakers, has formally registered a robotics subsidiary. Changan Tianshu Intelligent Robot (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. was established on March 31 with 450 million yuan ($62 million) in registered capital.

The company published a timeline that leaves little room for ambiguity:

Q1 2026: First specialized vehicle-component robot
2027: General-purpose humanoid debut
2028: Mass production
2030: Family service robots
2035: Low-altitude industrial ecosystem, 100 billion yuan target

From cars to robots

The new entity is a joint venture. China Changan Automobile Group and Changan Automobile hold 50%, Chongqing Changan Technology takes 10%, and Chenzhi Automobile Technology rounds out the ownership.

Changan calls its approach "1+N+X": the humanoid robot is the core thread (1), vehicle components and mobility ecosystems are the extensions (N), specialized service applications fill the gaps (X). The "Tianshu" brand, previously an automotive intelligence platform inside Changan, now stands on its own as a robotics company.

The automaker-to-robot pipeline

Changan is not the first. BYD, Xpeng, GAC and Geely have all announced robotics programs in the past twelve months. The logic is identical across the board: automakers already run supply chains for motors, sensors, batteries and precision manufacturing. The same components power humanoid robots.

What separates Changan is the specificity. A 2028 target for humanoid mass production is aggressive, even by Chinese standards. Most competitors are still showing prototypes at trade fairs.

The $62 million in registered capital looks modest. But Changan's real backing comes from its parent: state-owned China Changan Automobile Group, headquartered in Chongqing, a city that is spending heavily to position itself as a robotics manufacturing hub.

Sources: Humanoid Daily, Gasgoo, South China Morning Post