Changan Automobile

Changan Automobile is a major Chinese automotive group headquartered in Jiangbei District, Chongqing. The organization traces its institutional history to 1862, when Li Hongzhang established the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau as a military supply factory. Through successive reorganizations, the operation became part of China’s defense-industrial manufacturing system, moved westward during the Second Sino-Japanese War, and eventually developed into the Chongqing Changan Arsenal. It did not become an automobile manufacturer until 1959, when a predecessor factory began producing the Changjiang Type 46 jeep under government direction. The company’s transition from military production to civilian vehicle manufacturing accelerated in the 1980s. A technical cooperation agreement with Suzuki Motor Corporation helped Changan develop small vehicles and engines, and the SC112 minivan and SC110 minitruck became the first vehicles sold under the Changan name in 1984. The Changan name is associated with the former Chongqing Changan Arsenal and is commonly interpreted as referring to lasting peace. It also evokes Chang’an, the historic name of the ancient Chinese capital. Changan expanded from microvans and light commercial vehicles into passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, pickups, sedans, and new-energy vehicles. Its principal listed operating company, Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd., trades on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under ticker 000625.SZ. The broader group has also used joint ventures to manufacture and sell vehicles associated with Ford, Mazda, and other international partners. Changan Ford and Changan Mazda became separate joint ventures in 2012 after the restructuring of the earlier Changan Ford Mazda operation. The group now operates a multi-brand architecture. The core CHANGAN brand covers mass-market and mid-market passenger vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, pickups, and selected light commercial products. CHANGAN UNI is positioned around more design-led and technology-oriented passenger vehicles. CHANGAN NEVO, known domestically as Qiyuan, focuses on electrified and range-extended vehicles. DEEPAL is an electric-vehicle brand covering battery-electric and range-extended models, while AVATR Technology occupies a more premium intelligent-electric-vehicle position and combines Changan manufacturing capabilities with CATL battery expertise and Huawei intelligent-vehicle components. CHANGAN LCV, also known as Kaicene or Changan Kaicheng, serves commercial-vehicle customers with vans, multipurpose vehicles, and light trucks. Electrification and intelligent driving have become central to Changan’s strategy. In 2017, the company announced an objective of ending production of vehicles powered solely by internal-combustion engines by 2025, with the intended replacement mix consisting of battery-electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles. Although the group continues to manage a broad portfolio and regional market requirements differ, the strategy marked a major shift away from its historic dependence on conventional petrol-powered vehicles. Internationalization has also become a principal growth objective. Changan maintains design and engineering capabilities in China, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. It established a right-hand-drive manufacturing operation in Pakistan with Master Motors and developed a major plant in Rayong, Thailand, intended to supply ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The group has also expanded distribution in Russia, Australia, Indonesia, Europe, and Latin America. In March 2025, it formally introduced the CHANGAN, DEEPAL, and AVATR brands to European audiences in Mainz, Germany, as part of its broader global expansion program. Changan’s corporate structure changed substantially in 2025. The State Council announced that the automotive business formerly associated with China South Industries Group Corporation would be separated into an independent central state-owne…

Changan’s institutional history begins in 1862, when Li Hongzhang established the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau as a military supply factory. The operation was renamed the Suzhou Arsenal in 1863 and moved to Nanjing in 1865, where it became the Jinling Arsenal. By the end of the nineteenth century, the arsenal had developed into one of China’s major industrial and military manufacturing centers. When the Second Sino-Japanese War threatened Nanjing in 1937, the Nationalist government moved the arsenal westward to Chongqing. There it became the 21st Arsenal. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the facility was renamed State-Owned Factory 456 in 1951 and was incorporated into the administrative structure of the country’s military-industrial system. The organization entered automobile manufacturing in 1959. A predecessor of Chongqing Changan Arsenal was directed to produce the Changjiang Type 46 jeep, generally described as China’s first domestically manufactured production vehicle. For the next several decades, Changan’s industrial identity remained closely connected to defense manufacturing, but the company gradually developed civilian production capabilities. A decisive transition began in the 1980s. Changan entered into technical cooperation with Suzuki Motor Corporation, focusing on small vehicles and engines. On November 15, 1984, the first batch of vehicles carrying the Changan name, the SC112 minivan and SC110 minitruck, left the production line. These products established Changan as a civilian vehicle manufacturer and provided the basis for later expansion into microvans, light commercial vehicles, and passenger cars. During the 2000s and early 2010s, Changan increased its scale through domestic acquisitions, joint ventures, and product diversification. In 2009, it acquired Hafei and Changhe. Changhe was subsequently transferred to the Jiangxi provincial government for restructuring and later became associated with BAIC Group. Changan also developed international joint ventures, including Changan Ford and Changan Mazda. In 2012, the earlier Changan Ford Mazda Automobile structure was divided into separate Changan Ford and Changan Mazda companies after Ford’s divestment from Mazda’s China operations. Changan’s domestic brands grew rapidly during this period. The group introduced a new consumer-vehicle logo in 2010 while retaining its earlier red-arch identity for commercial vehicles. It became one of China’s largest automakers by annual volume, with passenger vehicles, microvans, light trucks, pickups, and commercial vans forming the core of its product base. The company’s strategic emphasis shifted toward electrification and intelligent vehicles during the second half of the 2010s. In October 2017, Changan announced an intention to end the production of vehicles powered only by internal-combustion engines by 2025 and to focus on battery-electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles. The company also launched its “Third Business Venture” transformation program in 2017, emphasizing innovation, software, efficiency, and new-energy mobility. Changan subsequently built a multi-brand new-energy structure. DEEPAL developed from Changan’s new-energy operations and became an independent electric-vehicle brand. AVATR Technology emerged as a premium intelligent-electric-vehicle venture involving Changan, CATL, and Huawei. Changan also launched CHANGAN NEVO, known in China as Qiyuan, to offer electric and range-extended models using a mixture of dedicated designs and electrified derivatives of existing Changan vehicles. The CHANGAN UNI family provided a more design-focused and technology-oriented passenger-vehicle line, while CHANGAN LCV and Kaicene continued serving commercial users. International operations expanded in parallel. Changan established a design center in Turin in 2003, later added design and engineering capabilities in Birmingham and Germany, and developed a broad overseas distribution network. The group established a right-hand-drive manufacturing facility in Pakistan with Master Motors, began developing a major manufacturing base in Rayong, Thailand, and increased its presence in Russia, Australia, Indonesia, Europe, and Latin America. Its March 2025 European launch in Mainz introduced CHANGAN, DEEPAL, and AVATR as the principal brands for its European expansion program. In 2025, Changan’s corporate status changed substantially. The State Council announced that the automotive business associated with China South Industries Group Corporation would be separated into an independent central state-owned enterprise directly supervised through SASAC. China Changan Automobile Group was established in July 2025, with registered capital reported at 20 billion yuan and Zhu Huarong appointed chairman and legal representative. The restructuring created a more autonomous automotive group while retaining state ownership and ended the previous organizational arrangement under the military-industrial parent. By 2026, Changan was pursuing cooperation with other Chinese automakers in areas including autonomous driving, procurement, vehicle development, and overseas distribution. Its historical identity had therefore evolved from a military factory into a large state-owned automotive group, and then into a multi-brand intelligent and low-carbon mobility company with global ambitions.

1. 2026Strategic cooperation with BAIC Group

   Changan and BAIC agreed to cooperate on autonomous driving, procurement, vehicle development, and overseas sales channels.

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2. 2025European multi-brand launch

   Changan introduced CHANGAN, DEEPAL, and AVATR to European audiences at an event in Mainz, Germany.

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3. 2025China Changan Automobile Group established

   The automotive business was separated from China South Industries Group Corporation and reorganized as an independent central state-owned enterprise.

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4. 2025Thirty-millionth vehicle ceremony

   Changan held a ceremony marking the roll-off of its thirty-millionth vehicle.

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5. 2023CHANGAN NEVO and DEEPAL expansion

   Changan launched the NEVO/Qiyuan electrified line and developed DEEPAL as an independent electric-vehicle brand.

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6. 2017Electrification and transformation program announced

   Changan announced its intention to end production of vehicles powered solely by internal-combustion engines by 2025 and launched its Third Business Venture transformation program.

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7. 2012Changan Ford Mazda divided into two joint ventures

   The earlier Changan Ford Mazda structure was separated into Changan Ford and Changan Mazda.

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8. 2009Hafei and Changhe acquisitions

   Changan acquired the domestic automakers Hafei and Changhe as part of a consolidation and scale-building strategy.

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9. 2003Turin design center established

   Changan established a design presence in Turin, beginning the development of a broader international design and engineering network.

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10. 1984Suzuki cooperation and first Changan-branded vehicles

    Changan signed a technical cooperation agreement with Suzuki and produced the SC112 minivan and SC110 minitruck, establishing its civilian vehicle business.

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11. 1959Automobile manufacturing begins

    A Changan predecessor began producing the Changjiang Type 46 jeep under government direction.

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12. 1937Arsenal relocated to Chongqing

    The Jinling Arsenal was moved westward to Chongqing during the Second Sino-Japanese War and renamed the 21st Arsenal.

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13. 1865Operations relocated to Nanjing and became the Jinling Arsenal

    The operation moved to Nanjing, where it developed into the Jinling Arsenal and became a major Chinese industrial and military manufacturing center.

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14. 1862Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau established

    Li Hongzhang established the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau, the institutional predecessor from which Changan traces its history.

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A broad-market Chinese automotive group combining affordable passenger and commercial vehicles with rapidly expanding electric, range-extended, connected, and intelligent-vehicle brands.

• CHANGANMass-market passenger vehicles

  The core CHANGAN brand is the group’s broadest passenger-vehicle franchise. It covers sedans, compact and midsize SUVs, pickups, and selected electrified derivatives. The brand is intended to combine accessible pricing, high-volume manufacturing, connected features, and progressively stronger electric and hybrid technology. Its principal model families include the CS SUV range, Eado sedans, UNI vehicles, and newer global products such as the E07.

• CHANGAN UNIDesign-led passenger vehicles

  CHANGAN UNI is a passenger-vehicle sub-brand or model family emphasizing distinctive exterior design, digital interiors, and technology-led positioning. It occupies a more aspirational place within the mainstream Changan portfolio and includes sedan and SUV applications. Some later electrified products, including the NEVO A06, use existing UNI vehicles as their technical or structural basis.

• CHANGAN NEVOElectric and range-extended vehicles2023

  CHANGAN NEVO, known domestically as Qiyuan, is an electrified line launched in 2023. It includes battery-electric, plug-in-hybrid, and range-extended vehicles. Early products included the A05, A06, and A07 sedans, followed by the Q05 and Q07 SUVs and the E07 crossover. The line combines dedicated new-energy designs with electrified versions of existing Changan models and is intended to make low-carbon mobility available across a broad market range.

• DEEPALElectric vehicles2023

  DEEPAL is Changan’s mainstream electric-vehicle brand. It developed from Changan’s new-energy operations and became an independent brand in 2023. The portfolio includes battery-electric and range-extended sedans, SUVs, and crossovers, including the S05, S07, L07, and SL03. DEEPAL is positioned as a technology-oriented global brand for markets where customers seek electrified vehicles with modern digital cabins and intelligent-driving functions.

• AVATRPremium intelligent electric vehicles2018

  AVATR is a premium intelligent-electric-vehicle brand operated by AVATR Technology. Changan is its largest shareholder, while CATL is a strategic shareholder and Huawei supplies intelligent-driving and cockpit technologies. AVATR combines Changan’s vehicle-development and manufacturing capabilities with CATL battery technology and Huawei software and electronic systems. Its products include the AVATR 11 SUV, AVATR 12 grand coupe, AVATR 07 SUV, and AVATR 06 sedan.

• CHANGAN LCV / KaiceneCommercial vehicles

  CHANGAN LCV, also known as Kaicene or Changan Kaicheng, serves commercial users with vans, minivans, multipurpose vehicles, light trucks, and related work vehicles. The line descends from Changan’s early strength in small commercial vehicles and remains important in China and selected export markets. Products are designed around payload utility, operating cost, fleet use, and flexible body configurations rather than premium passenger-car features.

• Changan FordForeign-brand joint venture vehicles

  Changan Ford is a joint venture between Changan and Ford. It produces and markets Ford-branded vehicles in China and forms part of Changan’s foreign-partner manufacturing and distribution network. The venture has historically provided Changan with access to international product programs, engineering practices, manufacturing processes, and established global-brand distribution.

• Changan MazdaForeign-brand joint venture vehicles2012

  Changan Mazda is Changan’s joint venture with Mazda. It was established as a separate venture in 2012 after the earlier Changan Ford Mazda structure was divided. The company produces and markets Mazda vehicles in China and represents the group’s continuing involvement in international-brand joint-venture operations.

• 2025Sharing the Future

  Europe

  Changan used the Sharing the Future theme for its March 2025 European launch of CHANGAN, DEEPAL, and AVATR in Mainz, Germany.

  Outcome. The event established the group’s three-brand European market proposition and communicated a longer-term plan for products, local operations, and market expansion.

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• 2025China Auto Export 4.0 / Vast Ocean Plan

  Global

  Changan framed its international expansion as a move from product export toward the export of brands, technology, industrial capacity, and localized operations.

  Outcome. The strategy supported overseas manufacturing and distribution initiatives in Thailand, Pakistan, Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, and other regions.

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• 2023Belt and Road Global Tour

  International · Belt and Road markets

  Changan participated in an international vehicle tour featuring models including DEEPAL S7, NEVO A07, and AVATR 11 to demonstrate its new-energy portfolio and overseas ambitions.

  Outcome. The tour supported Changan’s transition from exporting individual products toward presenting a broader Chinese automotive brand and technology proposition.

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• 2017The Third Business Venture

  China

  Changan introduced a transformation program centered on innovation, entrepreneurship, organizational efficiency, software capability, and the development of an intelligent low-carbon mobility business.

  Outcome. The program provided a strategic framework for the group’s later investment in electric vehicles, intelligent driving, digital systems, and new brands.

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• 2026Strategic cooperation with BAIC GroupStrategy

  Both companies sought ways to improve technology development, purchasing efficiency, product coverage, and overseas scale without undertaking an equity transaction.

  What changed. Changan and BAIC agreed to cooperate on autonomous-driving technologies, joint component procurement, vehicle development, and shared overseas sales channels.

  Aftermath. The agreement broadened cooperation among Chinese state-owned automakers while leaving each company independently owned.

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• 2025Abandonment of potential merger arrangements with DongfengM&A

  Changan and Dongfeng had announced that they were exploring potential combinations with other state-owned enterprises, prompting speculation about a major automotive consolidation.

  What changed. On June 4, 2025, both companies announced that the potential merger plans would not proceed.

  Aftermath. Changan remained a separate automotive group while China’s state-owned automotive-sector restructuring continued through other organizational measures.

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• 2025Spin-off into an independent central state-owned automotive groupStrategy

  The State Council reorganized the automotive business previously associated with China South Industries Group Corporation.

  What changed. China Changan Automobile Group was established as an independent central state-owned enterprise directly supervised through SASAC, with Zhu Huarong appointed chairman and legal representative.

  Aftermath. The reorganization gave Changan a more autonomous corporate identity while retaining state ownership and its listed operating subsidiary.

  Registered capital of China Changan Automobile Group. 20 billion yuan (July 2025)

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• 2025European multi-brand market entryStrategy

  Changan sought to move from exporting vehicles to establishing a localized, multi-brand presence in Europe.

  What changed. The group launched CHANGAN, DEEPAL, and AVATR in Europe and presented plans for broader market coverage, additional models, local partnerships, and potential regional manufacturing.

  Aftermath. Europe became a central component of Changan’s global expansion and intelligent-electric-vehicle strategy.

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• 2023Launch of CHANGAN NEVOProduct launch

  Changan sought to create a dedicated electrified line covering battery-electric, plug-in-hybrid, and range-extended vehicles.

  What changed. The company launched CHANGAN NEVO, initially introducing the A07 and later adding the A05, A06, Q05, Q07, and E07.

  Aftermath. NEVO became one of the group’s principal electrified product families and expanded the Changan portfolio beyond conventional powertrains.

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• 2023Expansion of the AVATR Technology structureStrategy

  Changan pursued a premium intelligent-electric-vehicle platform requiring advanced batteries, software, cockpit systems, and assisted-driving technology.

  What changed. Changan, CATL, and Huawei formed a cooperative structure around AVATR Technology, with Changan and affiliates holding up to approximately 40 percent of the company’s equity and Huawei contributing intelligent-vehicle technologies.

  Aftermath. AVATR became a premium technology brand within Changan’s multi-brand architecture and an important vehicle for international expansion.

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• 2017Plan to end production of internal-combustion-only vehiclesStrategy

  Changan cited China’s policy direction, emissions pressure, and the country’s climate commitments as reasons to accelerate electrification.

  What changed. The company announced an objective of ending production of vehicles powered solely by internal-combustion engines by 2025 and shifting toward battery-electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles.

  Aftermath. The decision established electrification as a central pillar of Changan’s later product and brand strategy.

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• 2012Separate Changan Ford and Changan Mazda joint venturesStrategy

  The earlier Changan Ford Mazda Automobile structure was reorganized after Ford’s divestment from Mazda’s China operations.

  What changed. Changan and its international partners created separate Changan Ford and Changan Mazda joint ventures.

  Aftermath. The restructuring clarified the two foreign-brand partnerships and preserved Changan’s role in both joint-venture operations.

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• 2026Changan and BAIC Group sign strategic cooperation agreement

  Changan and BAIC Group agreed to cooperate on autonomous-driving technologies, component procurement, vehicle development, and overseas sales channels. The announced agreement did not include equity investment by either party.

  Other
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• 2025Changan and Dongfeng explore possible restructuring transactions

  Changan Automobile and Dongfeng Motor announced that they were examining possible combinations with other state-owned enterprises. The announcements generated market speculation about a broader automotive-sector consolidation, but no completed merger between the two groups followed.

  M&AOther
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• 2025Changan and Dongfeng abandon reported merger plans

  On June 4, 2025, Changan and Dongfeng stated that they no longer intended to proceed with the potential merger arrangements that had been discussed earlier in the year.

  M&A
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• 2025China Changan Automobile Group established as an independent central state-owned enterprise

  China Changan Automobile Group was formally established after the automotive business was separated from China South Industries Group Corporation. The new group became a central state-owned enterprise directly supervised through SASAC, with Zhu Huarong appointed chairman and legal representative.

  M&ALeadership changeOther
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• 2025Changan launches CHANGAN, DEEPAL, and AVATR in Europe

  Changan held its European brand launch in Mainz, Germany, presenting the CHANGAN, DEEPAL, and AVATR brands and outlining a multi-year plan for broader European market coverage.

  CampaignProduct launch
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• 2025Changan presents expanded technology portfolio at IAA Mobility

  At IAA Mobility 2025, Changan exhibited CHANGAN, DEEPAL, and AVATR vehicles and highlighted its Golden Shield battery, BlueCore hybrid and electric-drive technologies, and SDA Pilot intelligent-driving system.

  Product launchProduct generationCampaign
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• 2025Changan reaches thirty-millionth vehicle milestone

  Changan reported a ceremony for the roll-off of its thirty-millionth vehicle on December 10, 2025, marking the scale of its cumulative manufacturing and sales history.

  Other
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• 2025Changan completes the acquisition of 20 percent of Changan Auto Finance

  Following regulatory approval and registration, Changan’s holding in Changan Auto Finance increased to 48.66 percent while the affiliate remained accounted for as an associate.

  M&A
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• 2025China Changan Automobile Group is established

  A new central-enterprise automotive group was established in Chongqing to coordinate Changan-related vehicle, component, finance, logistics and service businesses and support global expansion.

  M&A
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• 2024Changan plans a targeted offering to fund new-energy development

  The company disclosed a proposed private placement of up to RMB 6 billion for new-energy vehicle development, platform upgrades and global research capabilities.

  Other
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• 2024Changan proposes acquiring a 20 percent stake in Changan Auto Finance

  Changan announced plans to acquire Chongqing Yufu Capital’s 20 percent holding in its automotive-finance affiliate to strengthen financing support for vehicle sales.

  M&A
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• 2018Changan launches the Beidou Tianshu intelligent strategy

  Changan formalized an intelligent-vehicle strategy covering connected products, digital technologies and cooperation with technology companies.

  Other
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• 2017Changan announces the Shangri-La new-energy strategy

  The company announced a major program to accelerate electrification, low-carbon products and the development of new-energy vehicle capabilities.

  Other
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• Changan unveils the Intelligent Electric Night product-launch campaign

  A livestream launch used music, celebrity participation, product demonstrations and creator-led explanations to promote the UNI-V iDD, UNI-K iDD, CS75 Plus iDD and Oshan Z6 iDD.

  CampaignProduct launch
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• Changan adapts its advertising for Thailand

  Three locally produced Thai campaigns used humor, local performers and Thai cultural references to communicate localized production and faster delivery at the Rayong plant.

  Campaign
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1. Changan Automobile
2. About Changan Automobile
3. Changan Automobile Launches CHANGAN, DEEPAL, and AVATR in Europe
4. Changan Accelerates European Expansion at IAA Mobility 2025
5. CHANGAN NEVO
6. DEEPAL
7. AVATR
8. Changan Automobile ESG Report 2023
9. BAIC Group and China Changan Automobile Strategic Cooperation
10. 2025 Annual Report of Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd.
11. China Auto Export 4.0 / Vast Ocean Plan
12. Changan completes the acquisition of 20 percent of Changan Auto Finance
13. China Changan Automobile Group is established
14. Changan plans a targeted offering to fund new-energy development
15. Changan proposes acquiring a 20 percent stake in Changan Auto Finance
16. Changan launches the Beidou Tianshu intelligent strategy
17. Changan unveils the Intelligent Electric Night product-launch campaign
18. Changan adapts its advertising for Thailand