Changan has unveiled its ambitious “1+4+4+5” global strategy, signalling a determined push to become one of the world’s top ten automotive brands by 2030.
Central to this plan is a revenue target of RMB600 billion and overseas sales of 1.5 million vehicles. While the announcement reflects a global ambition, its significance for South Africa is particularly striking, as the company reinforces its long-term commitment to the local market.
The strategy is built on electrification, intelligent mobility and international expansion. Changan has outlined six major transformations, including advances in vehicle intelligence, greener powertrains, and a broader mobility ecosystem.
These shifts are designed to deliver safer, more efficient and practical vehicles, while also strengthening customer experience, Changan claims.
South Africa features prominently in Changan’s localisation efforts. The company’s Vast Ocean Plan emphasises global expansion through local integration, ensuring stronger dealer networks, improved parts availability and a more responsive ownership journey.
Changan’s Green Plan and Intelligent Plan further highlight its direction. The former advances new energy vehicle technologies while embedding sustainability across design, manufacturing and recycling. The latter accelerates smart mobility solutions, focusing on safety and user experience.
The company’s global scale underpins its ambitions. In 2025, Changan sold nearly 2.9 million vehicles, including more than 1.1 million new energy models. Its operations span 118 countries, supported by 22 overseas manufacturing facilities and over 1 100 sales outlets. A global R&D team of 24 000 specialists continues to drive innovation.
At the launch, Chairman Zhu Huarong emphasised collaboration and shared prosperity, noting that every transformation creates conditions for new world-class enterprises. His words underline Changan’s intent to deliver not only innovative vehicles but also a credible and trustworthy brand experience
Audi South Africa has introduced the new Q5 range, comprising the third-generation Q5 SUV, second-generation Q5 Sportback, and the performance-focused SQ5 SUV and SQ5 Sportback. The range is built on Audi's Premium Platform Combustion and brings a new generation of petrol and diesel engines to the nameplate.
Geely Auto South Africa (GASA) has introduced Riddara, Geely Auto Group's new energy bakkie brand, to the South African market.
Ford’s next big electric vehicle push is less about a dramatic new badge and more about what happens behind factory doors.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
The Toyota Starlet has improved from zero to a four-star rating for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP's latest #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test results. This follows a safety upgrade to make six airbags a standard fit.
South Africa's new vehicle market sustained strong momentum in August 2026, with aggregate sales increasing by 11,4% year-on-year to 57 898 units, says the Automotive Business Councill | naamsa.
South Africa’s new-vehicle market maintained its momentum in August, with aggregate sales of 57 898 units representing an increase of 11.4% compared with the same month last year.
