Chinese giant Changan Auto isn’t just eyeing the continent; it’s preparing to enter the market with brand-new electric cars within the next two years. The strategy, confirmed by Changan’s global design chief Klaus Zyciora, involves a multi-brand approach. Unlike many automakers who operate with a single name, Changan is also bringing its specialized sub-brands to Europe.
Sales Begin: 10 Markets First
These include Avatr, which focuses on premium electric vehicles (EVs), and Nevo, which offers a wide range of products from small passenger cars to popular SUVs. Zyciora said they will “test the waters with consumers” to see which offerings are most competitive, but promised “many more products are coming in the near future.”
The company launched its sales offensive in March with the announcement of plans to enter ten different European markets this year. Changan has already launched the Deepal S07 electric SUV, which will be followed by the smaller Deepal 05 EV, scheduled for early next year.
If demand is strong enough, the company is ready to sell hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models under its core Changan brand. They are even considering expanding beyond passenger cars to offer light commercial vehicles in the European market.
A key indicator of Changan’s tactical readiness is the ongoing discussions surrounding “range-extended EVs” (EREVs). An EREV is an electric car with a small gasoline engine that acts solely as a generator to charge the battery, rather than directly driving the wheels.
Europe’s auto industry, and particularly the German government, has called on the European Commission to allow the use of these EREVs during the transition to full electrification. Changan has confirmed that it already has this technology for its Deepal, Avatr, and Nevo models. If regulators give the green light, the Chinese manufacturer could quickly launch these models. This would provide an option for European buyers with charging concerns, easing the transition to electric driving.
Changan’s expansion into Europe is not just about shipping vehicles; it aims to establish a permanent presence on the continent. The company wants to establish a production facility directly on the continent to avoid new European Union tariffs.
By producing EVs in Europe, it would both bypass tariffs and demonstrate a serious, long-term commitment to the market. The factory plan would put Changan on the same footing as local manufacturers, strengthening its competitive advantage against other imported brands.
Changan is a new player joining the list of competitors in the European market. The company is becoming one of the major Chinese automakers making a strong push into European markets, alongside the country’s largest automaker, BYD, its largest exporter, Chery, and other fast-growing EV manufacturers, XPeng and Zeekr. This wave of competition means European consumers will have a wider choice of vehicles in the coming period.
