Changan Automobile has opened pre-sales for its Qiyuan Q06 SUV, a model that marks the first large-scale deployment of the company's self-developed Tianshu intelligent driving assistance system. According to Sina Auto, the Q06 received more than 11,000 orders within the first two hours of pre-sale on September 4, with 53% of customers choosing the Ultra trim level that includes the more advanced ADAS features.
Self-developed ADAS strategy
The Q06 is positioned as a mainstream family vehicle with a price range of 80,000 to 200,000 yuan (about $11,300 to $28,200), and it is the first model to carry the Tianshu system, which Changan has developed in-house rather than sourcing from an external supplier. Yang Dayong, executive vice president of Changan Automobile, said the company deliberately chose a Changan-branded model to showcase its own technology, emphasizing that the self-development path allows the company to build a complete technical moat. "From the very beginning of the Qiyuan brand, we have been waiting for Tianshu to mature," Yang said during a media interview.
The Q06 offers two ADAS configurations: Tianshu Pro and Tianshu Ultra. The high take rate for the Ultra version, especially among buyers of the 700 km (435-mile) range variant, indicates that consumers are increasingly valuing intelligence and performance over just space and price, according to Changan executives. The company also noted that 33% of orders were for the dual-motor rear-wheel-drive version.
Insurance package and long-term investment
Alongside the Q06, Changan introduced the "Tianshu Linghang Peace of Mind Package," an insurance add-on that provides up to 10 million yuan (about $1.4 million) in coverage for ADAS-related incidents. The package includes a dedicated service manager who handles police, repair, and towing procedures, aiming to reduce consumer anxiety about adopting advanced driver assistance. Yang said the goal is to make customers feel secure in using the technology, addressing a key barrier to mass adoption.
Changan has invested over 6 billion yuan (about $845 million) in its broader intelligent systems, with nearly half of that going to product development. The company employs 7,500 R&D personnel, including more than 300 intelligent driving experts, and 39% of the team holds master's or doctoral degrees. This investment supports the "Beidou Tianshu" architecture, which integrates AI with smart products, management, and manufacturing.
The company is also preparing for Level 3 autonomous driving, with plans to have L3-ready products by the end of the year, though feature releases will follow national regulations. Changan executives stressed that the Q06 underwent a three-year development cycle, including over 1,000 validation tests in temperatures ranging from minus 50 to plus 50 degrees Celsius, to counter industry criticism of "fast-casual" vehicle development.
Based on reporting by 新浪汽车. Edited and published in English by geisou.
