Chinese car giant Changan prepares Australian launch

The News Chinese automotive giant Changan is preparing to launch under its own name in Australia. The company is already more present in the local market than its unfamiliar badge suggests. Changan is recruiting staff as it prepares to launch its namesake brand in Australia. Luxury Changan offshoot Avatr is also being prepared for an Australian launch. Local recruitment includes development of an Avatr/Changan sales and service network. Existing Changan-owned Deepal will continue to be distributed by Inchcape. Avatr will target the emerging affordable Chinese luxury segment occupied by BYD’s Denza and Geely’s Zeekr X7 PLUS. Changan is one of China’s largest state-owned automotive manufacturers, with origins dating back to 1862. It sold 2.913 million vehicles globally in 2025, including 1.109 million new-energy vehicles and 637,000 vehicles in overseas markets. Changan’s products are sold in over 100 markets worldwide. The company operates brands Changan, Deepal, and Avatr, and has joint ventures with Mazda and Ford. Changan’s Australian strategy involves separate factory-backed operations for its mainstream Changan and premium Avatr brands, while Deepal remains under Inchcape’s distribution. Key unanswered questions include launch timing, pricing, model line-ups, and the size of the dealer network.