#Thailand #Changan #Vast Ocean Plan #Rayong #NEV factory

ChangAn's Ambitious Global Expansion Plan

ChangAn Automobile, a leading name in the low-carbon mobility sector, has taken a significant step towards accelerating its global reach by inaugurating its first international New Energy Vehicle (NEV) manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand. This establishment marks a milestone in the company's 'Vast Ocean Plan,' designed to elevate its operations from merely exporting vehicles to creating sustainable industrial ecosystems.

The Significance of the Thai Facility

This new factory in Rayong spans approximately 245 rai (392,000 square meters) and is equipped with state-of-the-art production systems. It encompasses five main workshops dedicated to welding, painting, assembly, engine production, and battery assembly, coupled with comprehensive support functions such as external inspection. This facility has been built with a strong focus on environmental efficiency, featuring optimized operations that integrate natural lighting, photovoltaic systems, and water recycling measures. Notably, these innovations are projected to reduce energy consumption per vehicle by around 20%, illustrating ChangAn’s commitment to sustainable practices.

Production Capacity and Future Plans

The Rayong facility is set to produce vehicles under the CHANG-AN, DEEPAL, and AVATR brands, with an impressive annual capacity projected to double from 100,000 units in 2027. The factory's automated processes and advanced assembly techniques ensure that production remains efficient and meets diverse market demands effectively.

As ChangAn embarks on this new chapter, it aims to align five major international markets—Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, Central and South America, Europe, and Eurasia—equally with its domestic Chinese market. This ambition reflects a strategic scaling through intelligent manufacturing and local collaborations.

A Milestone in Global Expansion

In conjunction with the factory’s opening, ChangAn celebrated the production of its 28.59 millionth vehicle, a DEEPAL S05 tailored for global markets, showcasing the company's commitment to its Vast Ocean Plan. Since launching its Southeast Asia brand initiative in Thailand in late 2023, ChangAn has introduced seven new models and achieved over 14,000 vehicle sales, positioning itself among the top four players in Thailand's NEV market.

This new factory leverages 41 years of automotive manufacturing experience, forming a global standard for investing in international talent. The establishment not only serves as a blueprint for replicable manufacturing standards but also as a model of best practices for international operations. The integration of lean production systems and the innovative CAPDS system forms the base of the company's Lean Management Strategy, focusing on continuous improvement and operational excellence across all its activities.

Navigating Challenges and Future Visions

Zhu Huarong, Chairman of ChangAn Automobile, emphasized the importance of this factory, stating, "This is a significant moment for ChangAn – a giant leap from exporting vehicles to building a local ecosystem. Despite the challenges posed by global anti-integration movements, we remain committed to the Vast Ocean Plan. In the spirit of win-win cooperation, we aim to contribute more significantly to Thailand's economic and social development while advancing the global automotive industry."

As ChangAn ventures into this new territory, the factory not only symbolizes the company's resilience against global challenges but also its aspiration to lead in the green automotive revolution. The future looks bright for ChangAn as it continues to pave the way for sustainable mobility solutions on an international scale.