Changan Automobile, also known as Changan Auto or Changan, is one of China’s oldest and most established carmakers. Founded in 1862 as a weapons manufacturer, the company transitioned into the automotive sector in the 1950s, producing China’s first domestically built vehicles.
Over the decades, Changan has grown into one of China’s “Big Four” state-owned automakers, alongside SAIC, FAW, and Dongfeng. The company has long-standing joint ventures with international giants including Ford, Mazda, and Suzuki (historically), which helped it build strong engineering and manufacturing expertise.
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Changan’s Sub-Brands
To reach different customer segments, Changan has developed or invested in several sub-brands, particularly in the EV space:
Deepal – A dedicated EV and plug-in hybrid brand focusing on intelligent, connected cars. Models include the Deepal SL05 sedan and S07 SUV.
Avatr – A premium EV brand jointly developed by Changan, CATL (China’s battery giant), and Huawei. Positioned to compete with Tesla and NIO.
Oshan (Oushan) – A more budget-friendly sub-brand, offering SUVs and MPVs.
Kaicene – Focused on light commercial vehicles and pickups.
This multi-brand approach allows Changan to cover the mass-market, premium, and commercial segments, particularly important as it expands abroad.
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