Changan's production facility in Thailand will introduce models from sub-brands Deepal, Avatr, and Qiyuan, with an annual capacity of 100,000 units in the first phase.
(Image credit: Changan Automobile)
Changan Automobile aims to have its plant in Thailand, which began construction earlier this month, up and running by the first quarter of 2025.
The Chinese auto giant held a brand launch in Thailand today, saying it will use Thailand as a base to enter more Southeast Asian countries and other right-hand drive car markets.
The first phase of Changan's production base in Thailand, which will start production in the first quarter of 2025, will introduce models under sub-brands Deepal, Avatr, and Qiyuan (or Nevo), the company said.
The carmaker will invest 20 billion baht ($570 million) in the facility, with a total planned capacity of 200,000 units per year, and the first phase of the investment will be about 10 billion baht with a capacity of 100,000 units per year.
On August 23, Changan's operating entity in Thailand was officially established, marking an important step in the company's globalization strategy.
On October 17, Changan reached an agreement with the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation event in Beijing.
Changan plans to invest 8.8 billion baht in Thailand to build a NEV production plant with a design capacity of up to 100,000 units in the first phase, according to its press release last month.
The Thailand BOI secretary general Narit Therdsteerasukdi presented changan chairman Zhu Huarong with an investment certificate for the carmaker's project in Thailand at an event last month.
At today's event, two Deepal models -- Deepal S07 and Deepal L07 -- made their debut in Thailand and will be officially launched at the Thailand auto show on November 29. These two models are known as Deepal S7 and Deepal SL03 in China.
The Deepal S07 and Deepal L07 will be imported into the Southeast Asian market before going into production at the Thai plant of Changan.
Both models were available in both extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions in China, although they will initially be available in BEV versions in Thailand.
Earlier today, Deepal CEO Deng Chenghao said on Weibo that the SL03 will be renamed L07 and the S7 will be renamed S07 in Thailand for reasons including registration.
Deepal will continue to build globalized models next, accelerating its entry into ASEAN and European markets, he said.
Deepal aims to sell 450,000 units globally in 2024 and plans to launch two new models next year, Deng said.
Changan aims to sell 5 million units globally by 2030 to become one of the top 10 largest carmakers in the world in terms of sales, Zhu said today.
By 2030, Changan's investment overseas will top 10 billion US dollars and its annual overseas sales will top 1.2 million vehicles, he said.
($1 = 35.1000 baht)
Changan's NEV unit Deepal aims to sell 450,000 vehicles globally in 2024
