About Changan
Changan likes to trace its roots to an arsenal founded in 1862, which makes it a contender for the oldest industrial lineage in the Chinese car business. The modern company is a state-owned giant based in Chongqing, one of China's largest carmakers by volume, and for decades it learned the trade through partnerships, building cars with Suzuki, Ford and Mazda while developing its own Changan-badged sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs. Models such as the CS35, CS75 and Alsvin made it a household name in China and a growing presence in export markets.
The electric era has reshaped the company. Deepal, launched in 2022, sells sleek electric and extended-range electric vehicles, in which a petrol engine works only as a generator, and has become Changan's spearhead abroad with the S05, S07 and the larger S09. Avatr, a premium brand developed with Huawei and battery giant CATL, aims at the BMW and Mercedes end of the Chinese market. A value-oriented Nevo line, the Uni family and the Oshan brand round out a portfolio that covers nearly every price point.
Changan has expanded steadily into Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Australia and Europe, with assembly plants in Thailand and partnerships in markets such as Pakistan, where its Alsvin sedan is a familiar sight. Its rivals are the other Chinese giants, BYD, Geely, Chery and GWM, as well as Toyota and Hyundai in emerging markets. Its joint ventures with Ford and Mazda remain an important part of its business at home, and Mazda has used Changan engineering for electric models sold in China and beyond.
Expect a busy mix of news. Deepal and Avatr keep arriving in new countries, from the Gulf states to Spain and the Philippines; extended-range technology keeps drawing comparisons with rival systems from Geely, Li Auto and BYD; and Beijing's periodic reshuffles of its state-owned car companies can change Changan's corporate shape overnight. Sales figures, recalls, parts-price stories from export markets and the regular arrival of new models aimed at the world's fastest-changing car market fill out the picture.