Changan just rolled its 30 millionth vehicle off the production line, a staggering number that makes it the first independent Chinese automaker to hit such a milestone. The company has been building cars since 1983, so it took nearly 40 years to get here. But here’s the kicker, the last 10 million of those vehicles were built in just four years. That’s not just growth. It’s a jaw-dropping acceleration that tells you everything you need to know about the speed of China’s auto industry.
A State-Backed Powerhouse with Global Ambitions
This isn’t just a story about manufacturing volume. Earlier this year, Changan underwent a major re-organization, becoming a central state-owned enterprise, putting it in the same top-tier league as industry giants FAW and Dongfeng. This move signals serious backing and even higher expectations.
The company’s chairman, Zhu Huarong, has already laid out an ambitious roadmap. They’re targeting 5 million vehicles in annual production and sales by 2030. The most critical part of this plan is the pivot to electrification. New energy vehicles (NEVs) are expected to account for over 60% of sales, with overseas sales making up more than 30%. For context on their production speed, it took joint venture FAW-Volkswagen 34 years to reach this 30-million milestone. Volkswagen itself took 46 years.
The EV Offensive: Avatr, Nevo, and Deepal Lead the Charge
Changan isn’t a single, monolithic brand. It’s a portfolio of five distinct brands, including Avatr, Nevo, Changan, Kaicheng, and the all-electric Deepal. The sales figures from November show their EV-focused brands are already firing on all cylinders. Avatr sold 14,057 vehicles, Deepal moved 33,060 units, and the recently launched Nevo brand sold an impressive 46,909 vehicles. Deepal alone has already surpassed 700,000 cumulative deliveries, proving its models are resonating with buyers.
However, the picture isn’t perfect. While domestic sales are booming, Changan’s NEV exports are still finding their footing. The company ranked 11th in exports last month, shipping only 4,189 units. This places it behind nimble NEV startups like Xpeng and Leapmotor, highlighting a key area for growth if it wants to meet its 30% overseas sales target.
A Look Ahead: An NEV Onslaught
So what’s next? Changan is preparing an absolute onslaught of new electric models. At the recent Guangzhou Auto Show, the company announced plans to launch more than 50 NEVs by 2030. This product blitz will cover everything from entry-level SUVs and mid-to-large MPVs to purpose-built off-road vehicles.
Underpinning this entire strategy is Changan’s new Tianshu intelligent architecture. Think of this as the digital backbone for all future models. It’s a unified system that will manage everything from the powertrain and battery to the infotainment and driver-assistance features, allowing for smarter, more connected, and easily updatable vehicles. It’s a clear signal that Changan isn’t just focused on building cars, it’s building a comprehensive technology ecosystem for the electric era.
