ChangAn Marks Milestone Global Expansion with New Energy Vehicle Factory in Thailand
ChangAn's Milestone in Global Expansion
ChangAn Automobile has recently made headlines with the official opening of a new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand. This important event coincides with two significant milestones: the production of the company’s 28.59 millionth vehicle and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand.
The inauguration of this factory represents a major leap in ChangAn's Vast Ocean Plan, which aims to facilitate the company's global expansion. This strategy transitions from merely internationalizing the brand to exporting entire industries. At the helm of this initiative, Chairman Zhu Huarong has expressed the vision of establishing this facility as a global benchmark in sustainable manufacturing.
Commitment to Sustainable Mobility
Zhu Huarong articulated that ChangAn’s mission is to promote sustainable mobility that improves human life. Despite the challenges posed by rising anti-globalization sentiment, the company remains devoted to its Vast Ocean Plan and aims for long-term growth alongside mutually beneficial, low-carbon localized operations.
The Vast Ocean Plan is designed to support ChangAn’s global outreach in five critical regions, giving the company the potential to establish itself as a world-class automotive brand. Over the past three years, ChangAn has filed over 14,000 patents, 70% of which are for inventions, averaging 19 patents per working day. This extensive commitment to research and development has kept the company at the forefront of automotive technology.
ChangAn is focused on fostering a workforce characterized by professionalism, youth, international capability, and market orientation, paving the way for significant industrial growth. This new facility in Rayong is just one of a planned 20 factories worldwide, with nine assembly plants for automotive parts already operational, alongside one full vehicle assembly plant.
A Global Marketing Strategy
In terms of market penetration, ChangAn plans to launch 22 brands across Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, supported by a network of over 9,000 sales outlets. Their commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investments exceeds 30 million yuan every year, further reinforcing their dedication to global public welfare.
Since its launch in 2023, the Vast Ocean Plan has propelled ChangAn's global footprint, achieving record overseas sales in 2024. Looking ahead, 2025 represents a new phase of growth for the company as it aims to share superior quality products and services globally at a rapid pace.
Expansion Plans Ahead
In Southeast Asia and Oceania, ChangAn is establishing key markets suited for right-hand drive vehicles. The Rayong factory's construction commenced in November 2023, with mass production starting in May 2025. The DEEPAL S05 model and a long-range electric vehicle made their debut at the 2025 Bangkok International Motor Show, embodying the shift from merely exporting products to the export of entire sectors.
In Latin America, a brand conference held on July 23, 2024, accelerated the introduction of highly-valued products tailored to local needs. After three decades in the Middle East and Africa, by September 2024, six new energy models were launched as part of the brand's introduction. With plans for local subsidiaries, joint ventures, and expanded service offerings, ChangAn is setting the stage for a significant presence in global markets.
In Europe, the establishment of a design center in Turin in 2001 indicates ChangAn's commitment to localized research and development, aimed at sustainable mobility solutions tailored for European markets. Their market re-entry in Germany on March 21, 2025, showcased this renewed dedication.
To support this growth strategy, ChangAn is focused on enhancing its global market capacity from 30 million to 50 million vehicles, with plans to bolster localization efforts in various regions. With 11 projects aimed at assembling automotive parts in countries like Kazakhstan and Egypt, the ambition is to achieve an international manufacturing capacity of 500,000 vehicles.
Thus, ChangAn is not just expanding its manufacturing capabilities; it's also elevating its position as a significant player in the global automotive industry, paving the way for a sustainable future in mobility.