# Changan Automobile

Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (CCAG) is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Jiangbei, Chongqing. Changan Automobile traces its origins back to 1862 when Li Hongzhang set up a military supply factory, the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau. It was not until 1959 when the factory was repurposed to manufacture Changjiang Type 46 jeep that it became an automobile manufacturer.
The company produces and sells vehicles under its own branding, such as Changan, Deepal, Avatr, Kaicene, as well as under foreign-branded joint ventures such as Changan Ford and Changan Mazda. In 2021, its own brands contributed 76% of its sales (1.75 million, including 1.2 million passenger vehicles). Its principal activity is the production of passenger cars, microvans, commercial vans and light trucks.
A subsidiary of Changan, Chongqing Changan Automobile Company (SZSE: 000625), is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (but is also state controlled).

## History

Changan's early origins can be traced back to 1862 when Li Hongzhang set up a military supply factory, the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau. In 1863, it was renamed the Suzhou Arsenal. By 1865, Li Hongzhang relocated the Suzhou Arsenal to Nanjing, and became the largest arsenal in China at the time, known as the Jinling Arsenal.
By 1899, it had grown into a major arms production center, equipped with nearly a thousand machines and employing 1,700 artisans, solidifying its position as one of China's primary military manufacturing hubs.
In 1937, when the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out, as Shanghai fell and Nanjing faced imminent threat, Nationalist government decided to relocate Jinling Arsenal westward to Chongqing After relocating, it was renamed The 21st Arsenal.
In 1951, the 21st Arsenal was renamed The State-Owned Factory 456 under the Central Bureau of Military Industry. This marked a significant transition in its organizational structure, aligning it with the newly established administrative framework of the People's Republic of China. The renaming reflected the factory's continued importance in national defense and industrial production during the early years of the PRC.
In 1959 a predecessor entity, Chongqing Changan Arsenal, under contract to the government, began auto manufacturing and built Changjiang Type 46 which was the first production vehicle of China.
In 1984, Changan entered a significant phase of transformation by signing a technical trade cooperation agreement with Japan's Suzuki Motor Corporation. This partnership focused on the development of mini vehicles and engines, marking a pivotal step in the company's evolution. On November 15, 1984, the first batch of Changan-branded vehicles—the SC112 mini van and the SC110 mini truck—rolled off the production line. It marks the official transition of Changan from a military enterprise to a civilian vehicle manufacturer.
In 2009, Changan acquired two smaller domestic automakers, Hafei and Changhe. In 2013, Changhe was transferred to Jiangxi provincial government for restructuring, and later became a majority-owned subsidiary of another Chinese automaker BAIC Group.
As of 2010, China Weaponry Equipment is the parent company of this state-owned automaker, and that year Changan became the fourth most-productive car manufacturer in the Chinese automobile industry by selling 2.38 million units.
The company also released a new logo for its consumer offerings in 2010 while commercial production retains the former red-arch brand.
Although it only allowed the company to achieve fourth place among domestic automakers in terms of production, Changan made over 2 million whole vehicles in 2011.
In 2012, it was reported that 72% of production was dedicated to passenger vehicles, but this count likely conflates private offerings and microvans, tiny commercial trucks and vans that are popular in China.
In November 2012, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile was divided into two new joint venture companies: Changan Ford and Changan Mazda.
Changan plans on ending production of vehicles powered solely by internal-combustion engines by 2025, as the automaker will be selling only hybrid vehicles and all-electric vehicles from 2025 as a result of climate change and air pollution issues in China as well as stringent emissions regulations. The company stated that this is because Government of China announced that it has passed legislation that will ban new ICE-powered vehicles by the mid-2030s, due to high air pollution and due to China's reiterated commitment in the United Nations Paris Agreement as the automaker wants to remain compliant with the government's automotive emission standards. The automaker is joining Volvo Cars, Jaguar Land Rover, Hongqi, BYD Auto, Lotus Cars, and several other automakers in planning on ceasing production of ICE-powered vehicles in the coming years.
In December 2023, Huawei announced it plans to move core technologies and resources in its smart car unit to a new joint venture with Changan. The new company will engage in research and development, production, sales and service of intelligent automotive systems and component solutions. Changan and its affiliates plan to acquire no more than 40 percent of the new company's equity, with the specific amount of capital contribution and term to be separately negotiated between the two parties.

## Brands and products

Changan produces and markets vehicles primarily under 5 brands:
* Changan Auto for SUVs and passenger cars
** Changan Nevo (Qiyuan) for entry premium range extended electric vehicles.
* Deepal (Shenlan) for electric vehicles
* Avatr for premium electric vehicles, jointly invested by Changan and CATL
* Kaicene for the commercial vehicles, light trucks, and MPVs

### Changan Auto

Changan is the main brand of Changan group. Its products lines cover entry-level and medium level price range passenger vehicles include cars, SUVs, and pickups.
* Changan Lumin
* Changan Raeton Plus
* Changan UNI-V
* Changan UNI-T
* Changan UNI-Z
* Changan CS55 Plus
* Changan F70
* Changan Lantuozhe
* Changan Hunter

### Changan Nevo (Qiyuan)

Changan Nevo (长安启源) is the entry level EV line under the Changan brand, launched in 2023. Models initially include the A05 compact sedan, the A06 compact sedan, and the A07 midsize sedan. The A06 is a rebadged Changan UNI-V with restyled front and rear ends. The A05 is a rebadged Changan Yida with restyled front and rear ends.
* Changan Nevo A07
* Changan Nevo A06 (cancelled)
* Changan Nevo A05
* Changan Nevo Q05
* Changan Nevo E07

### Deepal (Shenlan)

Deepal (Chinese name Shenlan) is EV brand owned by Changan Automobile. The company was originally named Chongqing Changan New Energy Automobile Technology founded in 2018 and became an independent brand since 2023.
* Deepal L07
* Deepal S05
* Deepal S07
* Deepal G318

### Avatr Technology

Avatr Technology is a premium EV brand Changan joint-ventured with battery provider CATL and multiple Chinese domestic foundations, technology supported by Huawei.
* Avatr 07
* Avatr 11
* Avatr 12

### Changan Kaicene
#### Current models

* Raesor (Ruixing) ES30
* Raesor (Ruixing) S50
* Raesor (Ruixing) S50T
* Raesor (Ruixing) M60 / Raesor (Ruixing) EM60
* Raesor (Ruixing) M70
* Raesor (Ruixing) M80 (Changan G10)/ Raesor (Ruixing) EM80
* Raesor (Ruixing) M90
* Star 3
* Star 5
* Star Truck/ Star truck EV
* Star Truck C-type/ Star truck L1
* Star 9/ Star 9 EV
* Shenji T10/ Shenji T10 EV
* Shenji T20
* Shenji T30
* F30
* A800
* A600 (Originally Changan Oushang)
* Honor (欧诺)
* Chana Ruixing S50V
* Chana Ruixing S50T
* Chana Ruixing M90
* Chana Ruixing M80
* Chana Ruixing M70
* Chana Honor
* Kaicene F30
* Kaicene Star Truck
* Kaicene Shenqi T30

#### Former Kaicene models

* Ruiline
* Shenqi T20 / Q20
* Shenji F50
* Kaicene Zunxing
* Chana Star
* Chana Star 2
* Chana Star 7 (Formerly Taurustar)
* Chana Star 9 (Formerly Chana Star 4500)
* Chana Star S460
* Changan Zunxing

## Sales

Changan group sales (foreign joint-venture brands excluded) :
| Year | Total | Changan | Deepal | Avatr | Oshan | JMH (Landwind) |
| 2010 | 1,239,990 | 1,047,983 | - | - | - | 192,007 |
| 2011 | 1,025,233 | 816,627 | - | - | - | 208,606 |
| 2012 | 1,053,645 | 841,137 | - | - | - | 212,508 |
| 2013 | 1,152,537 | 901,270 | - | - | - | 251,267 |
| 2014 | 1,363,487 | 1,055,630 | - | - | - | 307,857 |
| 2015 | 1,504,936 | 1,199,053 | - | - | - | 305,883 |
| 2016 | 1,682,741 | 1,304,612 | - | - | - | 378,129 |
| 2017 | 1,597,543 | 1,215,406 | - | - | - | 382,137 |
| 2018 | 1,270,100 | 729,067 | - | - | 192,745 | 348,288 |
| 2019 | 1,331,802 | 849,552 | - | - | 153,258 | divested |
| 2020 | 1,503,604 | 978,398 | - | - | 113,820 | divested |
| 2021 | 1,754,707 | 1,009,822 | - | - | 194,381 | divested |
| 2022 | 1,874,569 | 1,125,048 | 33,354 | 757 | 222,030 | divested |
| 2023 | 2,097,794 | 1,432,543 | 136,912 | 27,589 | discontinued | divested |
| 2024 | 2,226,489 | 1,350,784 | 243,894 | 73,606 | discontinued | divested |

## Joint ventures

Like most major Chinese automakers, Changan partners with Western and Japanese companies to produce and sell the products of these foreign firms in China. It also partners with other companies within China to augment manufacturer capacity and share development costs.
Changan currently participates in the following joint ventures:

### Changan Ford (2001–present)

In 2001, Changan Ford was formed and initially built Ford-branded passenger vehicles from complete knock down kits.
Making Chinese-market versions of Ford consumer offerings, its 2010 dealer network was thought to include many showrooms in second- and third-tier Chinese cities such as Chongqing. So-called second- and third-tier cities are large and medium-sized cities not among the top four in terms of population and contribution to GDP.

### Changan Kuayue

Chongqing Kuayue Automobile is a co-operative venture between Changan and Chongqing Kuayue Group specializing in commercial vehicle production.
The group builds commercial vehicles for Changan primarily under the Kuayue and Kaicene brands.
Kuayue commercial vehicles rebranded as Mamut in former Soviet countries.

#### Current models

* Kuayue D5
* Kuayue T3
* Kuayue Chana V3 / V3 Electric
* Kuayue Chana V5
* Kuayue X1
* Kuayue X3
* Kuayue X5
* Kuayue Kuayuexing V3/V5/V7
* Kuayue Kuayuexing V3
* Kuayue Kuayuexing V5 EV
* Kuayue V5
* Kuayue Kuayuewang X1
* Kuayue Kuayuewang X5

#### Former models

* Kuayue Xinbao Mini
* Kuayue Xunlong
* Kuayue Xinbao mini
* Kuayue Xinbao
* Kuayue Xinbao T3
* Kuayue Kuayuewang X5
* Kuayue Xinbao V5
* Kuayue Xunlong

### Jiangling Investment and Jiangling Motor Holding

Jiangling Motor Holding Co. Ltd. (simplified Chinese: 江西江铃控股有限公司; traditional Chinese: 江西江鈴控股有限公司; pinyin: Jiāngxī Jiānglíng Kònggǔ Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī), also known by the initialism JMH, was a joint venture established in October 2004 and controlled equally by Changan and JMCG. To create Jiangling Motor Holding Changan invested money and in exchange JMCG transferred its Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) equity to the venture. Jiangling Motor Holding was the largest shareholder of JMC, with a 41.03% stake as of March 2018. JMH also owned the Landwind marque.
In April 2019, it was announced that JMCG and Changan planned to split JMH into two separate companies: one keeping the same name and other tentatively called Jiangling Investment. Jiangling Investment would hold the 41.03% JMC stake and some liabilities and would still be equally owned by Changan and JMCG. The new JMH would own the rest of the former JMH assets (including Landwind) and it would issue 100% more shares to be sold to investors, leaving JMCG and Changan with a 25% stake each. Jiangling Investment was formally established in May 2019, completing the split of the former JMH. In June 2019, it was announced that the investor for the new JMH was the car manufacturer Aiways. Aiways acquired a 50% of the new JMH with the aim of securing production permits for new energy vehicles.

## Former
### Oshan (2017–2024)

Oshan (Chinese: 欧尚) was a passenger car brand under Changan Automobile. It was originally known as the Changan Commercial Vehicles, the division which focus on micro vans and light trucks. The brand was renamed to Oshan in April 2017 and began to produce passenger vehicles since.
In 2024, Changan decided to cease the operation of Oshan brand and merge the product line and sales channel into Changan brand.
* Oshan X5
* Oshan Z6
* Oshan X7

### Changan PSA (2010–2020)

Changan and the French car manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroën agreed in 2010 to set up a 50/50 passenger car and light commercial vehicle-making joint venture. Named CAPSA, it was the PSA Group's second joint venture company in China, after Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile, and its first with Changan. Centering on a newly built production base in Shenzhen, it was estimated that initial production capacity for the project will be 200,000 units/year. Manufacturing commenced in 2014, with China specific Citroën DS models; the DS 5LS first and then the DS 6WR. The venture was dissolved in 2020.

### Changan Suzuki (1993–2018)

Technical and commercial cooperation with Suzuki Motors, beginning in 1983, saw Changan assembling inexpensive commercial trucks (originally the Suzuki Carry ST90 as the Changan SC112) under license into the 2000s. The two companies formed Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co in 1993, which built licensed versions of the Suzuki Alto, Suzuki Cultus, and more recently the Swift.
In parallel with its Suzuki joint venture, Changan also continued to build small trucks and vans for commercial use based on the 1999 Suzuki Carry license, but independently developed vehicles are quickly replacing them. These small cars carry the Changan brand name although Suzuki technology is used in their design and manufacture.
On 4 September 2018, Suzuki transferred its 50 percent stake in Changan Suzuki to Changan Automobile Group, ending 25 years of joint venture. Under the plan, Changan would continue to make and sell Suzuki-branded cars in China under license.
In 2021, Changan Suzuki was renamed to Chongqing Lingyao Automobile.

## Production and research facilities
### Domestic

Changan has four major production bases (in the City of Chongqing, Hebei province, Jiangsu province, and Jiangxi province), eleven automobile production bases, and two engine production bases in mainland China for a more-current total of 21 vehicle-making bases including newer sites in Anhui province, Guangdong province, Heilongjiang province, Shandong province, and Shanxi province.

#### Anhui

A planned 300,000 units/year capacity mini-vehicle production base in Hefei, Anhui province, should see completion in 2011. Production capacity figures may consider engines and vehicles as discrete.

#### Beijing

An existing R&D center in Beijing will soon be joined by a passenger car production base in Fangshan District, Beijing, which will become operational in 2012.

#### Chongqing

Changan has numerous sites in the city of Chongqing. A Changan-Ford plant and another, planned Changan-Ford plant (which may produce engines) are joined by a Chongqing-based R&D center and an industrial park in Yubei, Chongqing.

#### Hebei

An industrial park in Hebei province may continue to be Changan controlled.

#### Heilongjiang

A Harbin, Heilongjiang province, R&D center, is now a Changan asset. It may have been owned by Hafei prior.

#### Jiangsu

A Changan-Ford plant and an industrial park in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, comprise Changan operations in this province.

#### Jiangxi

A planned Changan commercial vehicle production base in Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi province, will produce JMC and Ford-branded vehicles and join an R&D center as a second facility in this province. The latter facility may be a former Changhe asset.

#### Shanghai

Changan has an R&D center in this coastal city.

### International (Overseas)

The company maintains four factories in international markets and several overseas R&D centers. Changan had an assembly plant in Poteau, Oklahoma, piecing together products sold under the Tiger Truck brand from 2007 to 2010. The Changan CS35 is built in Lipetsk region of Russia since 2016. Also Changan vans and pickup trucks were assembled at Ganja Auto Plant in Ganja city, Azerbaijan in 2005.

#### 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.

#### R&D centers

Changan has over 7,000 engineers and researcher working in R&D facilities in Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai and Harbin, Turin, Italy, and Yokohama, Japan. It set up two more in 2011. These are located in Birmingham (originally was set up in Nottingham), United Kingdom, and Detroit, United States. The Detroit center opened in early 2011, and its office was moved to Plymouth 2015.

## Etymology

The name "Changan" originated from "Chongqing Changan Arsenal", the predecessor entity in defense industry in 1950s, which literally means "Long Lasting Peace". Changan is also the name ancient Chinese capital of Tang Dynasty.
It was first used in its first light commercial truck, the Changan-brand SC112, which was based on the Suzuki Carry mini-truck introduced from Japan in the 1980s.