Business

Changan Automobile has hosted its Global Partner Conference 2026 in Dubai under the theme “30 Million United, One Future Together,” bringing together partners from around the world to mark a major production milestone and outline the company’s next phase of global growth.

The conference followed the rollout of Changan Automobile’s 30 millionth vehicle from its production line in December 2025. The company reached its first 10 million vehicles over three decades, the second 10 million in seven years, and the third in just four and a half years, highlighting an accelerating growth trajectory driven by quality improvements, operational efficiency and powertrain transformation.

Performance and scale backed by global trust

The 30 million-vehicle milestone marks a significant point in Changan Automobile’s 44-year manufacturing history and reflects sustained market presence and the trust of a global user base. Speaking at the conference, Zhao Fei, President of Changan Automobile, said the company’s progress over the past five years has been shaped by close collaboration with partners worldwide, enabling it to navigate industry challenges while maintaining momentum toward higher-quality growth.

Over the past five years, Changan’s global ranking has improved from 14th to 13th, while compound annual growth in total vehicle sales reached 7.8 per cent. In 2025, the company recorded total vehicle sales of 2.913 million units, representing year-on-year growth of 8.5 per cent. Overseas sales rose to 0.637 million units, up 18.9 per cent, while new energy vehicle (NEV) sales surpassed one million units for the first time, reaching 1.109 million units, a 51 per cent annual increase.

Changan’s global footprint has expanded from 63 markets in 2020 to 117 markets in 2025. Over the same period, its overseas product portfolio grew from 17 models to 41, enabling the company to address diverse market requirements and regulatory environments.

In 2025, Changan introduced six new models across its five major international regions, including the fourth-generation CHANGAN CS75 PLUS and CS55 PLUS, DEEPAL S05, DEEPAL G318, AVATR 11 and AVATR 12. The entry of DEEPAL S07 and S05 into key European markets further marked the company’s progress in expanding its new energy vehicle lineup globally.

Safety and user experience driven by SDA Intelligence

Changan continues to place safety and user experience at the core of its technology strategy. The company has introduced the “SDA Intelligence” brand, built around three digital intelligence pillars: SDA Pilot, SDA Cockpit and SDA Chassis. This system-based approach positions safety as a comprehensive ecosystem covering driving performance, health, psychological well-being and data security in the intelligent vehicle era.

Improvements in customer experience have been reflected in independent industry assessments. In J.D. Power’s 2025 Sales Satisfaction Index, Changan ranked sixth among mainstream brands, surpassing the industry average and improving by 21 positions compared with 2020. In the Customer Service Index, the brand ranked seventh, an improvement of eight positions over the same period.

To support long-term innovation, Changan plans to invest more than 5 per cent of annual revenue in research and development over the next five years. The company also aims to recruit more than 10,000 technical professionals and over 400 industry experts in areas such as artificial intelligence, software, electric powertrains and design, delivering more than 160 new technology outcomes across intelligent driving, AI cockpits and next-generation battery systems.

Strategic outlook and 2026 priorities

At the conference, Changan outlined its targets for 2026, including total vehicle sales of 3.3 million units, NEV sales of 1.4 million units and overseas sales of 0.75 million units. Looking further ahead, the company aims to reach approximately 40 million cumulative vehicle sales by 2028.

By 2030, Changan plans to achieve annual production and sales of more than five million vehicles, with new energy vehicles accounting for over 60 per cent of total sales and overseas markets contributing more than 35 per cent. These goals support its ambition to rank among the world’s top ten automotive brands and to complete its transformation into an intelligent, low-carbon mobility technology company.

This strategy is guided by three long-term initiatives: the Green Plan for new energy development, the Intelligent Plan for autonomous and connected mobility, and the Vast Ocean Plan for global expansion. Together, these initiatives are intended to strengthen Changan’s international presence, accelerate innovation and reinforce collaboration across its global partner ecosystem.

• Tags
• #Business
• #Magazine
• #Lifestyle