China Changan Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (CCAG) is a Chinese central state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Jiangbei, Chongqing. The group traces its origins to 1862, when Li Hongzhang established the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau as a military supply factory. It did not become an automobile manufacturer until 1959, when the factory was repurposed to produce the Changjiang Type 46 jeep.
The group produces and sells vehicles under its own brands — including Avatr, Deepal, Changan, and Kaicene — as well as through foreign-branded joint ventures such as Changan Ford and Changan Mazda. In 2021, its own brands accounted for 76% of sales (1.75 million units, including 1.2 million passenger vehicles). Its principal activities are the production of passenger cars, microvans, commercial vans, and light trucks. A subsidiary, Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (), is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
Etymology The name "Changan" originated from "Chongqing Changan Arsenal", the predecessor defence-industry entity established in the 1950s, and literally means "long-lasting peace". Chang'an is also the name of the ancient Chinese capital of the Tang dynasty.
The name was first applied to a commercial vehicle with the SC112 mini truck, based on the Suzuki Carry introduced from Japan in the 1980s.
History
Changan's origins trace to 1862 when Li Hongzhang established the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau as a military supply factory. In 1863 it was renamed the Suzhou Arsenal, and by 1865 Li relocated it to Nanjing, where it grew into the largest arsenal in China at the time, known as the Jinling Arsenal. By 1899 the Jinling Arsenal had become a major arms production centre equipped with nearly a thousand machines and employing 1,700 artisans, consolidating its position as one of China's primary military manufacturing hubs. When the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1937 and Nanjing faced imminent threat, the Nationalist government relocated the Jinling Arsenal westward to Chongqing, where it was renamed the 21st Arsenal.
In 1951 the 21st Arsenal was renamed State-Owned Factory 456 under the Central Bureau of Military Industry, aligning it with the administrative framework of the newly established People's Republic of China. In 1959 a predecessor entity, Chongqing Changan Arsenal, began automobile manufacturing under government contract and produced the Changjiang Type 46, China's first domestically manufactured production vehicle. In 1984 Changan entered a new phase by signing a technical cooperation agreement with Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan focused on mini vehicles and engines. On 15 November 1984, the first batch of Changan-branded vehicles — the SC112 mini van and SC110 mini truck — rolled off the production line, marking the company's official transition from a military enterprise to a civilian vehicle manufacturer.
In 2009 Changan acquired two smaller domestic automakers, Hafei and Changhe.For purchase of Hafei, see . For purchase of Changhe, see In 2013 Changhe was transferred to the Jiangxi provincial government for restructuring, and later became a majority-owned subsidiary of BAIC Group. As of 2010, China Weaponry Equipment was the parent company of Changan, and that year Changan became the fourth-largest car manufacturer in the Chinese automobile industry by selling 2.38 million units. In 2010 Changan also released a new logo for its consumer vehicle range; commercial production retained the former red-arch branding. Changan produced over 2 million vehicles in 2011, placing it fourth among domestic automakers.
In 2012, 72% of production was attributed to passenger vehicles, though this figure likely conflates passenger cars with microvans and light commercial vehicles, which are commercially distinct but sometimes grouped in Chinese industry statistics. In November 2012, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile was divided into two separate joint ventures, Changan Ford and Changan Mazda, as part of Ford's divestment from Mazda. In October 2017 Changan announced plans to end production of vehicles powered solely by internal-combustion engines by 2025, after which it would sell only plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles, citing regulatory pressure and China's commitments under the Paris Agreement. In November 2023 Huawei announced plans to move core technologies from its smart car unit into a new joint venture with Changan. The resulting brand, Avatr Technology, engages in research, development, production, sales, and servicing of intelligent automotive systems and components. Changan and its affiliates hold up to 40% of the new company's equity.
On 9 February 2025, Changan Automobile and Dongfeng Motor both announced they were exploring potential mergers with unnamed state-owned enterprises, sparking speculation that the two groups would be combined with Dongfeng as the dominant partner. On 4 June 2025, both companies announced that merger plans had been abandoned. On 5 June 2025 the State Council announced that the automotive business of China South Industries Group Corporation, namely Changan Automobile, would be spun off as an independent central state-owned enterprise directly under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC). The spin-off formally severed Changan's long-standing ties to its military-industrial background and elevated it to sub-ministerial-level enterprise status. In July 2025, China Changan Automobile Group Co., Ltd. was formally established as a new independent legal entity, becoming the 100th central state-owned enterprise and the third automotive enterprise under SASAC, as well as the first central state-owned enterprise domiciled in Chongqing. The company was registered in Chongqing with registered capital of 20 billion yuan. Zhu Huarong, former president of Changan Automobile, was appointed legal representative and chairman by SASAC. The founding ceremony was held in Chongqing on 29 July 2025.
In June 2026, Changan Automobile and BAIC Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly develop autonomous driving technologies, pursue joint component procurement, co-develop new vehicle models, and build shared overseas sales channels. The agreement does not involve equity investment by either party.
International expansions
Russia In 2013, Changan signed a cooperation agreement with Russian distributor Irito, targeting sales of 12,000 units in 2014; actual sales fell far short of that figure. Between 2016 and 2019, Changan assembled the CS35 at Irito's Motorinvest facility in Lipetsk, and in 2020–2021 the CS35 and CS75 were also assembled at Unison in Belarus. The Irito partnership produced limited commercial results, and sales began accelerating only after Changan established direct distribution in 2020.
With major European, Japanese, South Korean, and American carmakers leaving the Russian market following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Changan rapidly expanded its model range and distribution network. Annual sales grew from modest pre-2022 levels to 11,267 units in 2023 and approximately 103,000 units in 2024, making Changan the fourth-largest brand in the Russian market behind Haval, Chery, and Geely. In early 2026, mass production of Changan models commenced at the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad, beginning with the CS35 Max and CS75 Plus crossovers, localising final assembly to reduce logistics costs and mitigate the impact of Russia's escalating vehicle recycling fees.
Europe Changan had maintained a European R&D and design presence since 2003, when it established a design centre in Turin, Italy. A further design centre was opened in Birmingham, United Kingdom, and since 2024 the company has operated a design and engineering function in Germany. In September 2024, Changan registered Changan Automobile Deutschland GmbH in Munich, designated as the European sales headquarters, and simultaneously registered Changan Automobile Europe Holding B.V. in the Netherlands as the regional corporate holding entity.
After its planned brand launch event in Milan in October 2024 was cancelled at short notice amid tensions in the EU–China trade dispute over tariff investigations into Chinese-made electric vehicles, the European brand launch was held in Mainz, Germany, on 21 March 2025. The event introduced three Changan brands to Europe, Deepal, the core Changan brand, and Avatr. Changan stated its plan to be present in all major European markets by 2028, with a planned total investment of two billion euros in the region by 2030 and a target of eight new models across its three brands by 2027.
Changan's head of European marketing confirmed in July 2025 that the company was actively scouting factory sites within Europe, stating its intent to establish local manufacturing for the European market.
Changan Automobile established a prominent global strategic partnership in Portugal by becoming the official partner of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) in May 2026.
Pakistan Changan has built a production facility in Karachi, Pakistan. It is a joint venture with Master Motors with an investment of US$100 million. This plant makes right hand drive passenger vehicles for Pakistan as well other right hand drive markets. The first "Made in Pakistan" unit of Changan rolled out on 2 May 2019. With a manufacturing capacity of 30,000 cars per year, this facility is Changan's first to produce right hand drive cars.
Thailand In 2023, Changan established its Southeast Asia business unit and set up three local operating entities: Changan Auto Southeast Asia Co., Ltd., Changan Auto Sales (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Changan Thailand Auto Parts. On 27 November 2023, the company held its Southeast Asia brand launch event in Bangkok. The Deepal L07 and S07 were officially launched at the 40th Thailand International Motor Expo later that week, attracting more than 3,000 orders within the first two weeks.
Construction of a manufacturing facility commenced simultaneously at the WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 4 in Rayong Province, with an initial investment of 10 billion baht (approximately US$280 million) for a first-phase annual capacity of 100,000 vehicles, with plans to expand to 200,000 units in a second phase. The plant commenced production on 15 May 2025, with the Deepal S05 as the first model to roll off the line. The Rayong facility serves as Changan's primary right-hand-drive manufacturing hub, supplying vehicles for ASEAN markets as well as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Australia Changan began preparing its Australian operations from late 2024, appointing a local general manager and recruiting support staff for a Sydney-based subsidiary. The Deepal S07 was launched in Australia on 8 November 2024, distributed through Inchcape, one of the world's largest automotive distribution groups. Changan models for Australia are manufactured at Changan's Rayong plant in Thailand.
Indonesia On 21 February 2025, Changan signed a distributor agreement with PT Indomobil Sukses Internasional, one of Indonesia's largest automotive distribution groups. The brand was officially launched at the Gaikindo Jakarta Auto Week (GJAW) on 21 November 2025 with the Deepal S07 and Changan Lumin as the first models offered in the country.
Brazil In 2025, Changan signed an agreement with Brazilian manufacturer CAOA and formed CAOA Changan to sellits cars on Brazil. CAOA has a history of partnership with foreign brands that starts operations in Brazil, like Renault, Hyundai and Chery.
Leadership
Chairman Xu Liuping (2006–2017) Zhang Baolin (2017–2020) Zhu Huarong (2020–present)
Presidents Xu Liuping (2006–2010) Zhu Huarong (2010–2020) Wang Jun (2020–2025)
General managers Zhao Fei (2025–present)
Brands and products
Changan produces and markets vehicles primarily under five brands:
Changan Auto for SUVs and passenger cars