Changan has outlined plans to significantly expand its presence in Europe, targeting the launch of eight new models within three years and the introduction of plug-in hybrid variants to mitigate the impact of European Union tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles.
The roadmap, presented to journalists and reported by Automotive News Europe, includes an investment of up to €2 billion in the region by 2030, according to Wang Dong, deputy managing director of Changan Europe. The expansion will span three brands — Deepal, Nevo, and Avatr — and marks a shift away from Changan’s initial Europe-only focus on battery-electric vehicles.
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Wang confirmed that plug-in hybrid versions of the Deepal S05 and S07 SUVs, already sold in Europe as fully electric models, will be launched in several European markets. The move allows Changan to reduce exposure to an additional 20% EU tariff currently applied to battery-electric vehicles imported from China.
Under the Nevo brand, Changan plans to introduce three vehicles in Europe, including a small hatchback, a compact SUV and a full hybrid model. Deepal’s European pipeline includes the G318 SUV, the L07 sedan and the S09 large van. The premium Avatr brand is preparing two models for launch in “selected European countries,” Wang said.
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“We will test consumer response and see how competitive our offerings are. Many new products will come to market in the near future,” said Klaus Zyciora, vice president and global head of design at Changan, in an interview in December, confirming that the company is open to selling extended-range electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and conventional hybrids in Europe.
Changan’s strategy reflects a broader shift among Chinese automakers as they adjust to EU trade measures. While imports of Chinese battery-electric vehicles to the EU rose 12% last year, hybrid imports surged 155%, according to industry data. Hybrids now account for roughly one-third of China’s global passenger car exports, according to The Economist.
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The expansion comes after Changan was formally re-established as a centrally controlled state-owned enterprise in July 2025, placing it alongside peers such as SAIC Motor, FAW Group and Dongfeng Motor. While the move grants Changan greater financial backing, it also links strategic decisions more closely to Chinese government policy, including informal guidance limiting investment in EU countries that supported tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Changan aims to grow global vehicle sales from 2.9 million units in 2025 to five million by 2030, with Europe playing a central role. The company plans to operate around 1,000 sales and service outlets in the region by the end of the decade, using a mix of national sales organisations and independent importers depending on market size.
See also: EU Considers Extending China Tariffs to Hybrid Vehicles as Imports Surge
As Chinese hybrid imports rise, the European Commission is considering whether to extend additional trade measures to hybrid vehicles, a step that could further reshape Changan’s European strategy.