A Major Power Move in China’s Auto Scene
Changan Automobile just got a major promotion from the central government. The company has been officially reformed into China Changan Automobile Group Co., Ltd., a massive state-owned enterprise with a registered capital of 20 billion yuan (about 2.75 billion USD). This isn’t just a new business card. it’s a fundamental shift that places Changan in the top tier of China’s automotive industry.
The new group is now directly supervised by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council. In simple terms, this puts Changan on the same administrative level as legacy giants like China FAW Group and Dongfeng Motor Corporation. It’s a huge vote of confidence from Beijing, signaling that Changan is considered critical to the nation’s industrial strategy, especially in the red-hot new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. The company is now officially a state-owned auto giant.
New Leadership, New Mission
Zhu Huarong, the current chairman of Changan Automobile, is stepping in as the legal representative of the new entity, ensuring continuity in leadership. Headquartered in the industrial hub of Chongqing, the group’s focus is clear: selling cars, pushing the boundaries of NEVs, and developing next-generation automotive components.
The company didn’t waste any time making a splash. On July 28, its affiliated brands, including the premium Avatr, Deepal, and Qiyuan, launched a coordinated campaign under the slogan “New Mission, New Journey.” The message was reinforced by a stunning display of 200 Avatr vehicles at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, all celebrating the new enterprise. This wasn’t just a marketing stunt. it was a declaration of unity and ambition.
A Unified Family of Brands
The restructuring brings a diverse portfolio of brands under one powerful umbrella. The promotional posters proudly featured Avatr, Deepal, Qiyuan, Changan Auto, and Changan Kaicheng, showcasing the breadth of their market coverage from commercial vehicles to high-tech EVs. This consolidation is likely to create new synergies, especially for its rapidly expanding NEV lineup, which includes everything from the budget-friendly Nevo Q05 SUV to the more mainstream Nevo A07 sedan.
To avoid any confusion, this move followed an earlier name change of Changan’s *previous* parent company, which was renamed “ChenZhi Automotive Technology Group Co., Ltd.” The new China Changan Automobile Group is a completely separate entity, established from the ground up to be a state-controlled powerhouse.
What’s Next for Changan?
All eyes are on the group’s first official media briefing scheduled for July 30. Executives from the newly formed entity and its brands will make their first public appearance together. They are expected to outline their performance for the first half of 2025 and, more importantly, reveal their strategic plans for the future. This will be our first real glimpse into how Changan intends to leverage its new status to compete more aggressively with both private domestic rivals and other state-backed players like Dongfeng’s eπ 007.
This restructuring is more than just corporate housekeeping. It’s a strategic realignment that solidifies Changan’s position as a national champion in the global automotive race. With the full backing of the state, the company has the resources and the mandate to accelerate its growth and innovation in the years to come.
