Changan Automobile is one of China's four major automotive groups with a history spanning 162 years and over 40 years of vehicle manufacturing experience. It has 14 production bases worldwide and operates 33 plants producing vehicles, engines, and powertrains including electric and internal combustion engines. Its product portfolio includes brands such as CHANGAN QIYUAN, DEEPAL, Avatr, Changan Yinli, and Changan Kaicheng, along with joint venture brands like Changan Ford, Changan Mazda, and Jiangling.
Changan Automobile employs over 17,000 engineering and technical staff from more than 30 countries. It has established an R&D network across 6 countries and 10 locations, each specializing in different areas: Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, Dingzhou (Hebei), Hefei (Anhui), Turin (Italy), Yokohama (Japan), Birmingham (UK), Detroit (USA), and Munich (Germany). The company maintains comprehensive automotive R&D and testing systems to ensure every vehicle model achieves a lifespan of 10 years or 260,000 kilometers.
In 2024, new energy vehicle production in Chongqing reached 953,200 units, a 90.5% increase over 2023, significantly exceeding China's national average growth rate by nearly 60%. This rapid growth is attributed to the establishment of a new Changan Automobile plant in Chongqing. Total vehicle production in Chongqing in 2024 climbed to 2,540,100 units, up 9.4% year-on-year. Meanwhile, new energy vehicles priced above 200,000 yuan accounted for 48.3% of production, rising notably by 21.6% within one year. These figures reflect successful quantitative and qualitative growth in Chongqing's new energy vehicle industry.
In 2025, Changan Automobile plans total vehicle sales of approximately 2.91 million units, with significant growth in new energy vehicles (NEVs). Internationally, NEV sales are expected to surpass one million units by 20 December 2025, covering subsidiaries such as Avatr, Deepal, and Changan Qiyuan. First-quarter 2025 sales reached 705,187 units, up 1.89% year-on-year. The company’s annual targets include 3 million total vehicle sales, 300 billion yuan in revenue, and 1 million overseas NEV sales. In Thailand, Changan secured 5,689 bookings at the 2025 Motor Expo and 10,008 at the 47th Bangkok International Motor Show in 2026, demonstrating rapid growth in Thailand’s electric vehicle market, especially for brands managed by Changan such as DEEPAL, AVATR, and CHANGAN NEVO. Expansion plans include growing Thailand’s service centers to 100 locations.
Changan Automobile's headquarters is located in Jiangbei District, Chongqing. Its operations include Digital Twin factories focused on advanced automation, particularly at the Liangjiang New Area Economic Zone. These factories specialize in new energy vehicle production, featuring about 90% automation connectivity, 5G networking, and over 650 Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) for parts transport, enabling faster production of key models like Avatr 07 and Deepal S05 (left-hand drive versions).
The Liangjiang factory is central to Changan's smart manufacturing strategy, with an annual capacity of approximately 280,000 vehicles focused on NEVs. Utilizing smart 5G and industrial internet technology, it connects over 12,000 devices, reducing operating costs by up to 20%. The factory employs more than 650 AGV robots to deliver parts and components, speeding assembly by 80% compared to traditional plants. Key models produced include Avatr 07, Deepal S05, and Qiyuan E07. The company is transforming its traditional production base into a modern intelligent industrial park while honoring its 162-year heritage.
The new energy vehicle assembly plant in Chongqing plays a crucial role in Changan’s growth, aiming to develop high-quality intelligent driving technologies.
Joint Ventures
Changan has a long history of joint ventures with global brands, maintaining key production bases in Chongqing.
Changan Ford is a 50:50 joint venture between Changan and Ford, focusing on passenger vehicles such as the Ford Explorer, Mustang Mach-E, and various Lincoln models for the Chinese market. Its Chongqing plant is Ford's largest manufacturing facility outside the United States.
Changan Mazda was originally a three-party joint venture (Changan Ford Mazda) before splitting in 2012. Changan Mazda's main production base is located in Nanjing.
Stamping begins with feeding steel or aluminum sheets into production lines to form vehicle structural parts. The Chongqing plant uses near-total automation to ensure precision in Changan Automobile’s smart factory operations, such as the new Avatr Digital Intelligent Factory, which employs Digital Twin technology and 5G networks for production control. The Avatr Digital Intelligence Factory uses Integrated Die Casting (IDC) technology to mold large, complex aluminum parts in just 2 minutes, making vehicle bodies lighter and stronger compared to traditional methods that take 1-2 hours. Robots handle installation of high-precision parts like windshields, panoramic sunroofs, and wheels, and software exceeding 10GB is installed on the entire vehicle in just 30 minutes. Giga Casting technology reduces parts count and weld points.
/Painting/
The welded vehicle bodies undergo fully enclosed robotic painting with multiple layers to ensure durability exceeding 10 years and reduce emissions using environmentally friendly technology.
/Battery Assembly (for NEV models)/
Focusing on new energy vehicles (EV/PHEV), the factory features dedicated battery assembly stations using Visual Guidance systems to accurately install delicate components.
/Final Assembly/
At final assembly, all components—engines/motors, powertrains, batteries, seats, and tires—are integrated. Over 650 AGVs transport parts to each assembly station precisely and efficiently.
/Inspection & Calibration/
ADAS calibration is a critical smart factory stage, testing and adjusting intelligent driving systems like sensors and cameras to ensure precise operation.
Quality inspection checks overall finish, including gap and flush alignment and paint quality, using 77 cameras and 62 foolproof inspection points.
Testing grounds represent the final step before vehicles leave the factory, involving comprehensive test track runs, NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) testing, and water leakage assessments. On average, Changan’s smart factory in Chongqing can complete assembly of a new vehicle in just 60 seconds.
The Avatr Digital Intelligence Factory, employing new Integrated Die Casting (IDC) technology, is rapidly advancing China’s automotive industry to a level that is difficult for others to match.