Changan, Huawei and CATL's luxury EV brand Avatr to be distributed by Premium Automobiles in Singapore
[SINGAPORE] China luxury electric vehicle (EV) brand Avatr will be distributed and sold by Premium Automobiles in Singapore.
Lee Hoe Lone, Premium Automobiles' managing director, told The Business Times that the brand will be officially launched in the Republic in late July or early August.
The brand's first model, the Avatr 11 sport utility vehicle (SUV), will debut at the same time, with another SUV, the Avatr 07, to follow in 2025.
The brand will occupy a temporary showroom at Premium Automobile's facility on 281 Alexandra Road until its permanent showroom, on the fourth level of the same facility, completes renovation.
Positioned as a luxury EV brand and pitting itself against the likes of Mercedes-Benz and BMW, Avatr is the result of a partnership between major players in China's automotive, battery and technology industries.
Founded in 2018, Avatr is majority-owned by China state automotive group Changan, with a minority stake held by Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited (CATL), the world's largest producer of EV batteries.
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China tech company Huawei does not own a stake in Avatr, but is a partner and key parts supplier in the project. It develops the Harmony operating system used in the vehicles as well as other components, including the electric motors.
Like other China car brands, Avatr is seeking to boost its export numbers in the region, having debuted in Thailand and the Philippines last year. The brand said it plans to expand its presence to 50 countries and regions worldwide in 2025.
Premium Automobiles, owned by businessman Hadi Tanaga, is now the representative to four China brands, including Geely-owned luxury brand Zeekr, Xpeng and Deepal – which is also a Changan brand, but targets the mainstream.
Premium Automobiles was the former dealer for Audi in Singapore, but ceased that operation as the German luxury brand pivoted to direct sales. It currently provides Audi's after-sales services.
Avatr is positioned in the premium EV space, a segment which now has numerous competitors in Singapore, including Tesla, Xpeng and IM Motors.
Lee said that its larger, more upscale models – including the Avatr 11 – will rival luxury models such as those offered by BMW or Mercedes-Benz.
The Avatr 11 is a large, luxury SUV that will compete with the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. No pricing has been revealed for the car yet, but two versions will be available: standard and long range.
The smaller Avatr 07, which competes with the Tesla Model Y, will be introduced in the first quarter of 2026.
Abroad, the brand offers two sedans – the Avatr 06 and Avatr 12 – though it is not clear if or when they will be available in Singapore.
Avatr sold 73,606 vehicles in its home market in 2024 – a 133 per cent year-on-year increase.
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