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
South Africa’s fast evolving automotive industry faces an urgent challenge in ensuring technical aftersales skills keep pace with increasingly advanced vehicle technology.
South Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) market is at a pivotal moment. Progress has been made in manufacturing, registrations, and charging infrastructure, but the pace and scale of adoption will depend on decisive policy choices and coordinated industry action.
TruckStore, the used-vehicle division of Daimler Truck Southern Africa, has opened a new facility on the West Rand, strengthening its presence in one of Gauteng’s busiest used-truck corridors.
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
South Africa’s fast evolving automotive industry faces an urgent challenge in ensuring technical aftersales skills keep pace with increasingly advanced vehicle technology.
Isuzu Motors South Africa has begun distributing the latest D-Max from its Gqeberha plant to dealerships across the country, with further shipments planned for more than 30 African markets.
Stellantis is accelerating its push into software defined vehicles through an expanded partnership with Qualcomm Technologies that will bring more advanced driver assistance, connectivity and in car digital systems to its next generation vehicles.
