Peter Lyon
May 23, 2025
State-owned Chinese car company Changan Automobile has just made a strategic investment in Southeast Asia with operations officially underway at the company’s new production plant in Rayong, Thailand. This facility will serve as the production centre for markets in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It is the automaker’s first “full process production” new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing base outside of China, and as such, will carry significant weight in the region.
After BYD, Neta, GWM, SAIC, and GAC, Changan is the fifth Chinese automaker to open a factory in Thailand in the last two years. The new facility was first reported in 2024.
In addition to the general assembly line, the Changan Rayong facility, which occupies an area of over 960,000 square meters, boasts five primary workshops, including welding and painting body shops, battery assembly and an engine assembly line.
New hub to employ ‘green and intelligent’ design concept
According to Changan, the Rayong plant was constructed using a “green and intelligent” design concept that uses water recycling, solar power, and daylight optimisation to reduce energy usage per car by about 20%. By 2027, the factory’s present yearly manufacturing capacity of 100,000 units is expected to rise to 200,000.
With the goal of providing 24-hour deliveries throughout the area, Changan is also building a global right-hand-drive parts centre in Rayong in addition to the plant.
The fully-electric Deepal S05, which will also be introduced in Malaysia and other markets later this year, is the first car to leave the factory floor and its 28.59 millionth vehicle worldwide. However, Changan claims that the factory can also produce plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and range-extender electric vehicles (REEVs), including models under the Changan and Avatr brands.
Changan also intends to launch 12 new NEV models in the region over the next three years.
Although not present at the most recent Malaysia Autoshow 2025, Bermaz Changan Sdn Bhd (BCSB), a new subsidiary of Bermaz Auto, was just named the brand’s distributor in Malaysia. Changan Auto Southeast Asia Managing Director Shen Xinghua said that the Deepal S07 and the previously announced S05 have both been confirmed for our markets and will eventually be imported from the new Thai plant.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
The S07 model was recently previewed in Malaysia, hinting at an upcoming debut. When it arrives in Southeast Asian showrooms and beyond soon, it’ll go head-to-head with the Tesla Model Y and Xpeng G6 – which is also distributed by Bermaz – boasting a now customary futuristic design and luxurious interior.
