Changan Expands Operations in Germany and Australia, Targets Greater European Market Presence

Changan, China’s second-largest auto group, has launched a subsidiary in Germany, named Changan Automobile Deutschland, to enhance its European market presence and support engineering research.

In August, Changan's Deepal S07 received approval for Australian roads. Changan, which already partners with Ford and Mazda in China, developed the Deepal S07 with Huawei and CATL. The new German subsidiary will focus on market expansion and customer service in Europe as part of Changan's Vast Ocean strategy, aimed at global growth.

Last April, Changan announced a $10 billion investment plan outside China by 2030 and set a target to sell 1.2 million cars annually. In August, the company revealed a $257.4 million investment in a new EV plant in Thailand, its first outside China, with a production capacity of 100,000 cars annually for export to Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and South Africa.

Despite new EU tariffs of up to 36.3% on Chinese EVs, including a 21.3% tariff on Changan, Europe remains a key market. Changan exported 228,000 vehicles in the first seven months of the year, a 67.6% increase from last year, and aims to double its international sales to 480,000 vehicles this year, focusing on its Avatr, Deepal, and Nevo brands.