#Changan Automobile #Vast Ocean Plan #NEV factory

ChangAn's Global Expansion Initiatives

In a monumental step towards its global aspirations, ChangAn Automobile has inaugurated its first international NEV (New Energy Vehicle) production facility in Rayong, Thailand. This launch not only signifies a major milestone for the company but also aligns with the release of its 28.59 millionth vehicle and celebrates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand.

Mr. Zhu Huarong, Chairman of ChangAn Automobile, expressed a vision of establishing this factory as a global benchmark. He emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainable growth and the importance of local partnerships that minimize carbon footprints. The mission of ChangAn is to lead in eco-friendly transportation, making lives better for people while navigating the challenges posed by anti-globalization sentiments.

Vast Ocean Plan: A Blueprint for Global Growth

The launch of the Rayong factory is part of ChangAn's comprehensive Vast Ocean Plan, which outlines an ambitious global expansion strategy. This plan aims to transition ChangAn's branding from merely international presence to exporting entire industries. Over the past three years, the company has submitted more than 14,000 patent applications, with around 70% classified as inventions—highlighting its focus on research and development and innovation.

With a goal of becoming a world-renowned automotive brand, ChangAn's strategy also includes establishing teaching programs worldwide, centering on professionalism, youth, internationalization, and market orientation. The industrial outreach is ambitious, planning the establishment of 20 production plants, with nine dedicated to regional assembly and one fully operational factory.

Market Segments and Investments

The marketing strategy looks to launch 22 brands across Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, backed by a network of over 9,000 dealerships. ChangAn’s annual investments exceed 30 million yuan, focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors to cater to global community interests.

The Vast Ocean Plan has accelerated ChangAn's global growth since its inception in 2023. The identified five major international regions have significantly bolstered the company's overseas sales, which set records in 2024. With the onset of 2025, a new phase of the plan is initiating the distribution of high-quality products and services globally at a speed comparable to that in China.

In Southeast Asia and Oceania, ChangAn is strategically developing the transportation markets geared towards right-hand driving. Groundbreaking for the Rayong plant commenced in November 2023, with mass production commencing in May 2025. Within this region, the DEEPAL S05 model and an extended-range electric vehicle were showcased at the Bangkok International Auto Show in 2025. This factory's opening signifies a transition from product exporting to industry exporting.

As ChangAn ventures into Latin America, it hosted a brand-centric conference in July 2024, aiming to accelerate the sales deployment of high-end models to satisfy diverse local demands. After three decades of operation in the Middle East and Africa, the launch of six new energy models was announced in September 2024, along with plans for creating local subsidiaries and joint ventures for enhanced service.

In Europe, where ChangAn established its Turin design center back in 2001, a new brand launch in Germany on March 21, 2025, underscores the commitment to sustainable transport through localized R&D, marked by the mantra