Chinese automaker Changan said it will begin exporting electric vehicles from its manufacturing plant in Thailand to Europe in December, marking the next phase of its international expansion. The move positions Changan as the second major Chinese manufacturer, after BYD, to leverage Thailand as an export base beyond Southeast Asia.
At a press conference in Bangkok, the company announced plans to ship more than 1,000 units of its Deepal S05 compact electric SUV to Europe in the first export batch. “This initiative not only generates national revenue and attracts foreign investment but also reflects Changan’s mission to position Thailand as a regional hub for electric vehicle manufacturing,” said Shen Xinghua, Managing Director of Changan Auto Southeast Asia and Changan Auto Sales (Thailand). “It is a strategic step toward driving Thailand’s economy and society forward in harmony, with sustainability at its core,” he added.
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Changan had previously identified the United Kingdom as one of the target export destinations when it announced its Thai operations in 2023, prior to the plant’s completion. The factory, which began production in May 2025, can build both left-hand and right-hand drive vehicles, enabling exports to a broader range of European markets. Beyond Europe, Changan also plans to export Thai-made vehicles to Australia and New Zealand.
The company said it intends to deepen its manufacturing presence in Thailand by increasing local content in its supply chain. Currently, about 60% of vehicle components are locally sourced, and Changan aims to raise that figure to 80% by the end of the decade.
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Changan has invested more than 10 billion baht (approximately 263 million euros) in the Thai facility — its first overseas production plant. Located at the WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 4 in Rayong Province, the plant spans around 392,000 square metres and includes a body shop, paint shop, powertrain workshop, battery assembly, and general assembly line. The site has an annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles, with plans to double output by 2027.
The Deepal S05, which made its European debut at the IAA Mobility 2025 show last month, will be launched in the UK in the first quarter of 2026. Changan offers the compact SUV globally in both all-electric and extended-range electric versions, but only the zero-emission variant will be sold in Europe.
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The move underscores China’s growing influence in global electric vehicle supply chains and Thailand’s emergence as a key production hub for Chinese automakers seeking to serve markets in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.