Changan Automobile delivered its strongest annual performance in nine years in 2025, selling 2.913 million vehicles worldwide. Total sales rose 8.5% year on year, marking a sixth consecutive year of growth.
The sharper signal for EVLife readers sits within the mix. New energy vehicle sales reached 1.109 million units, up 51% year on year. For the first time, all of Changan’s new energy brands achieved record results, with combined sales exceeding one million vehicles.
In its full-year statement, the company said the 2025 results “confirm the successful transformation towards sustainable mobility solutions”, pointing to the scale-up of its electrified portfolio.
How significant is 1.1 million new energy vehicles?
A 51% rise in new energy sales places Changan firmly among China’s second tier of EV heavyweights. It remains behind BYD on scale, yet it is closing the gap with diversified brands and overseas growth.
BYD sold 4.6 million vehicles in 2025, up 7.73% year on year, consolidating its position as China’s volume leader. That includes battery electric and plug-in hybrid models.
Geely is also expanding rapidly. Geely Auto said it sold 3.02 million vehicles in 2025, including 1.687 million new energy vehicles, up 90% year on year.
Meanwhile SAIC Motor reported 4.507 million total sales in 2025, up 12.3%, driven by brands including MG. Chery Automobile, now China’s leading exporter, set a 2026 sales target of 3.2 million vehicles after strong 2025 growth.
Against that backdrop, Changan’s 2.913 million total and 1.109 million new energy units show solid momentum, though the competitive field remains intense.
Changan’s UNI-V
What is driving Changan’s electrified push?
Changan’s strategy relies on brand segmentation. Its mainstream Changan line-up sits alongside newer marques including Deepal and Avatr.
Deepal delivered more than 333,000 vehicles in 2025, up 36.6%. Avatr surpassed 120,000 units and expanded into more than 40 countries across four continents.
The company also highlighted progress in intelligent driving. Deepal obtained its first official Level 3 autonomous driving approval, a milestone as Chinese brands push software differentiation.
Changan linked this acceleration to its wider global strategy, known as the Vast Ocean Plan. In 2025, it celebrated production of its 30 millionth vehicle, underlining its manufacturing scale.
Why does the Middle East and Africa matter?
Changan reported 88,000 vehicle sales across the Middle East and Africa in 2025, up 8.2% year on year. Egypt stood out, with 8,000 units sold, representing a 760% increase. Across Africa more broadly, sales reached 25,000 vehicles, up 438%.
New energy vehicles accounted for 9,000 units in the region, supported by the phased rollout of extended-range electric models.
Mr Xiao, General Manager of Changan Automobile’s Middle East and Africa Division, said: “Changan achieved exceptional milestones in 2025, particularly in the Middle East and Africa region, where we witnessed a notable shift towards smart mobility solutions.”
He added: “The record 760% growth in Egypt and the significant 438% increase across African markets reflect strong customer demand for our products, with a clear focus on innovation and quality.”
The statement also set out ambitions for 2026. Xiao said the company would continue “strengthening localisation of our offerings and expanding the presence of our new energy vehicle portfolio in the region”.
Mr Xiao, General Manager of Changan Automobile’s Middle East and Africa Division.
Is overseas growth becoming decisive?
Overseas sales reached 637,000 vehicles in 2025, up 18.9% year on year. That export momentum aligns with a broader Chinese industry trend.
Chinese manufacturers are no longer dependent solely on domestic demand. They are scaling distribution, parts supply, and financing operations across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
BYD is building factories overseas. Chery has expanded aggressively into Europe and the UK. Geely is leveraging Volvo and Polestar linkages. SAIC’s MG brand remains a top-selling Chinese nameplate in several European markets.
Changan is following a similar path. Reuters reported in July 2025 that the company was considering a European factory as volumes grow. Local production may become more important as regulatory pressures and tariff regimes evolve.
The G-318.
What should EV buyers watch in 2026?
For consumers, the headline is choice. Chinese brands now offer multiple EV architectures, extended-range variants, and increasingly sophisticated driver assistance systems at competitive prices.
For Changan, execution will matter more than ambition. The company must sustain battery supply, manage pricing pressure, and deliver reliable aftersales support in new markets.
The competitive landscape is unforgiving. Price competition in China remains intense. Overseas expansion requires careful capital allocation. Brand building takes time.
Yet the 2025 figures mark a clear inflection point. Crossing one million new energy vehicles in a single year shifts Changan from transition mode to scaled electrification.
If overseas momentum continues and regional EV adoption deepens, 2025 may be remembered as the year Changan consolidated its place among China’s global electric contenders.
