On December 9, Changan, a prominent independent Chinese automaker, marked a significant milestone as its 30 millionth vehicle rolled off the production line in China. This achievement, nearly 40 years in the making since the company’s entry into the automotive industry in 1983, establishes Changan as the first independent Chinese automaker to reach this impressive figure. What is truly remarkable is the accelerated pace of their success, with the last 10 million vehicles produced in just four years.
Changan’s diversified portfolio currently includes five distinct sub-brands, namely Avatr, Nevo, Deepal, Changan, and Kaicheng. These brands cater to various segments of the market, reflecting Changan’s strategic approach to expanding its footprint.
A major restructuring on July 29 saw the official establishment of China Changan Automobile Group Co., Ltd., transforming it into a state-owned enterprise directly overseen by China’s central government, alongside industry giants FAW and Dongfeng. At its inaugural media briefing, Chairman Zhu Huarong outlined an ambitious vision for the company: a production and sales volume target of 5 million vehicles by 2030. This includes a significant push into new energy vehicles (NEVs), aiming for them to constitute over 60% of sales, with overseas sales projected to account for more than 30%.
This milestone places Changan among an elite group of automakers. Other companies that have achieved similar production figures in China include the SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) and FAW-Volkswagen joint ventures earlier this year. For context, FAW-Volkswagen took 34 years to reach this milestone, while Volkswagen globally achieved it in 46 years.
The company’s recent performance highlights its momentum. In November, Changan reported sales of 283,000 vehicles, a 2.3% increase year-on-year. NEVs were a significant contributor to this growth, with 125,000 units sold, marking a substantial 23% year-on-year increase. Overseas sales also surged, growing by 47% to 55,000 vehicles. While Changan is making strides in the NEV sector, its export figures for last month, at 4,189 units, placed it 11th in NEV exports, behind agile startups like Xpeng and Leapmotor.
Looking ahead, Changan is not slowing down. At the 2025 Guangzhou Auto Show, the automaker revealed plans to launch over 50 NEV models by 2030. These upcoming vehicles will all feature Changan’s new Tianshu intelligent architecture and will span various categories, from entry-level SUVs to mid-to-large MPVs and rugged off-road vehicles. This strategic move underscores Changan’s strong commitment to the future of electric mobility and smart vehicle technology.
Delving into the performance of its sub-brands last month, Avatr sold 14,057 vehicles, Deepal moved 33,060 units, and Nevo led the pack with 46,909 vehicles. Notably, Deepal has already achieved cumulative deliveries of 700,000 vehicles, showcasing its rapid market acceptance and growth. This reflects Changan’s successful multi-brand strategy in tackling the dynamic Chinese EV market. Their ambitious targets, paired with a clear roadmap for NEV expansion and technological integration, position Changan as a key player to watch in the evolving global automotive landscape.
