Avatr arrives in Greece: how Changan, CATL and Huawei team up for the European push
D.Novikov
Avatr signs a deal with Autohellas to enter the Greek market, joining Deepal in the group's portfolio. Greece becomes a testing ground for Chinese premium in Europe.
Chinese premium brand Avatr officially enters the Greek market. The company has signed an agreement with Autohellas — a major automotive group active in distribution, retail, long-term rental and mobility services across Greece, the Balkans, Cyprus and Portugal.
For Avatr, this is another step in its European expansion. The brand was launched as a joint project of Changan Automobile, CATL and Huawei: Changan handles the vehicle platform, CATL supplies the batteries, and Huawei delivers the digital cockpit and driver assistance systems. In Europe, that combination matters as much as design — Chinese brands have to sell not just on price, but also on software quality, service standards and dealer trust.
Autohellas looks like a logical partner. Through its Velmar network, the group already works with Ford, Opel, Volvo, Hyundai, Kia, BMW and MINI. It has known Changan for a while as well: in Greece, the group already runs the Deepal S07 and S05. Avatr now joins them, aimed at a pricier and more tech-heavy segment.
The brand’s global plans are aggressive: by 2030, Avatr wants to reach 800,000 sales per year, with 40% coming from overseas markets. Its footprint should exceed 110 countries and regions. Today, the brand claims a presence in more than 40 countries and says its overseas operations are already profitable.
Avatr’s line-up includes sedans and crossovers, and the next key product is the 07L — a luxury family SUV co-developed with Huawei’s Qiankun team. It’s expected to come with a Huawei 896-channel LiDAR and the ADS smart driving system. The current Avatr 07 in China starts at 219,900 yuan and tops out at 279,900 yuan — roughly $32,410 to $41,250 at current rates.
For Europe, the real question isn’t whether Avatr arrives, but at what price after certification, logistics, taxes and dealer margins. The brand will have to compete not only with Tesla, BMW, Mercedes and Volvo, but also with other Chinese players who have already carved out mind-share. Greece isn’t the end goal — it’s a test of whether Chinese premium can sell in Europe as a normal choice, not just an exotic one.
