Chang'an Automobile Co., Ltd. is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Jiangbei, Chongqing. Founded in 1862, it is China's oldest automobile maker. It is currently the smallest of the "Big Four" state-owned car manufacturers of China, namely: SAIC Motor, FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, and Changan Automobile, with car sales of 5.37 million, 3.50 million, 3.28 million and 2.30 million in 2021 respectively.
The company produces and sells vehicles under its own branding, such as Changan, Oshan, Kaicene, as well as under foreign-branded joint ventures such as Changan-Ford and Changan-Mazda. In 2021, domestic branded cars took over 76% of sales (1.75m, 1.2m passenger vehicles).
Its principal activity is the production of passenger cars, microvans, commercial vans and light trucks.
It is China's second most popular car brand, with 1.4 million Changan cars sold in 2016. A subsidiary of Changan, Chongqing Changan Automobile Company (), is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (but is also state controlled).
History
Changan's early origins can be traced back to 1862 when Li Hongzhang set up a military supply factory, the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau. It is China's oldest automobile maker. In 1937, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the factory was moved to Chongqing when Shanghai was invaded and bombed.
In 1959 a predecessor entity, Chongqing Chang'an Arsenal, under contract to the government, began auto manufacturing and built Changjiang Type 46 vehicle which was the first production vehicle of China. Changan introduced minicar by licensing from Suzuki.
In 2009, Changan acquired two smaller domestic automakers, Hafei and Changhe. In 2013, Changhe was transferred to Jiangxi provincial government for restructuring, and later became a majority-owned subsidiary of another Chinese automaker BAIC Group.
As of 2010, China Weaponry Equipment is the parent company of this state-owned automaker, and that year Chang'an became the fourth most-productive car manufacturer in the Chinese automobile industry by selling 2.38 million units.
The company also released a new logo for its consumer offerings in 2010 while commercial production retains the former red-arch brand.
Although it only allowed the company to achieve fourth place among domestic automakers in terms of production, Changan made over 2 million whole vehicles in 2011.
In 2012, it was reported that 72% of production was dedicated to passenger vehicles, but this count likely conflates private offerings and microvans, tiny commercial trucks and vans that are popular in China.
In November 2012, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile was divided into two new joint venture companies: Changan Ford and Changan Mazda.
Changan plans to ending production of vehicles powered solely by internal-combustion engines by 2025, as the automaker will be selling only hybrid vehicles and all-electric vehicles from 2025 as a result due to the climate change, air pollution issues in the China and stringent emissions regulations. The company stated that this is because Government of China announced that it has passed legislation that will ban new ICE-powered vehicles by the mid-2030s, due to high air pollution and due to China's reiterated commitment in the United Nations Paris Agreement as the automaker wants remain compliant with the government's automotive emission standards. The automaker is joining Volvo Cars, Jaguar Land Rover, Hongqi, BYD Auto, Lotus Cars, and several other automakers in planning on ceasing production of ICE-powered vehicles in the coming years.
Changan said it plans to launch 21 electric cars in the 2021–2025 period, increasing its sales of that kind of vehicles to over 1 million units.
Brands and products
Changan produces and markets vehicles primarily under 5 brands:
Changan Auto for SUVs and passenger cars
Changan Qiyuan for entry premium electric vehicles line under Changan brand
Deepal (Shenlan) for electric vehicles
Avatr for premium electric vehicles, jointly invested by Chang'an and CATL
Oshan (frequently transliterated as Auchan, Ossan, or Oushan) for mid-level SUVs and MPVs Kaicene for the commercial vehicles, light trucks, and MPVs