Avatr Secures L3 Autonomous Driving Test Permit, Submits HKEX Listing Application

Avatr has recently received an official L3-level autonomous driving road test permit from Chinese authorities, marking a critical step forward in its commercialization of advanced intelligent driving. Meanwhile, Avatr has formally submitted its listing application to The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEX), seeking further capital market support.

L3 autonomous driving allows vehicles to assume primary control under specific conditions — such as highway traffic jams or urban expressways — enabling drivers to briefly take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road, though they must remain ready to intervene at any moment. Previously, Changan's Deepal SL03 had already secured L3 test approval for designated sections in Chongqing; Avatr, meanwhile, was among the first domestic automakers approved for highway L3 testing back in 2023 — its AVATR 11 all-electric SUV completed over 5,000 km of real-world testing on Chongqing highways, covering cruise speeds from 0–80 km/h and earning certification from the China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC).

Notably, Avatr has not yet officially disclosed which specific model received this latest L3 test authorization. Industry speculation suggests it could be the new crossover AVATR 07L, slated to launch in the Chinese market in 2026. However, this remains unconfirmed and is currently only rumored; Avatr has stated only that multi-scenario road testing is progressing steadily per plan.

Technically, Changan-brand L3 models commonly feature 4D imaging radar, claiming industry-leading performance across 17 typical scenarios spanning five major categories. On lidar, Hesai's FTX sensor — developed specifically for L3 applications and offering a 180° field of view — has already been deployed on Deepal SL03. Market analysts believe Avatr's newly approved L3 test vehicle is highly likely to adopt the same solution.

In terms of sales, according to China EV DataTracker, Avatr delivered 6,912 vehicles in May 2026 — a 37.8% year-on-year decline. Cumulative deliveries for the first five months of 2026 totaled 23,458 units. While accelerating both intelligent driving deployment and capital market initiatives in parallel, Avatr continues to face short-term sales pressure.