Changan to export Thai-built EVs to Europe soon
At a local press conference recently, Changan stated that it will begin exporting cars from Thailand to Europe by December. The company plans to ship more than 1,000 units of the Deepal S05 compact SUV in the first 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, the 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.
Changan had confirmed the UK among the planned export markets for its Thai plant in 2023, well before it commenced operations. When it inaugurated the factory in May this year, Xinghua revealed that this facility will build even left-hand drive models, which would open doors to other key European markets. The company plans to export Thai-made cars to Australia and New Zealand as well.
Further into the press conference, Changan said it will scale up its manufacturing operations in Thailand. The company aims to increase the level of locally sourced parts and components from currently 60% to 80% by the end of the decade.
Changan has so far invested over ten billion baht (approximately 263 million euros) in the Thai plant, its first overseas factory. Spread across approximately 392,000 m2 at WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 4 in Pluak Daeng District (Rayong Province), it houses a body shop, paint shop, powertrain workshop, battery assembly, and general assembly. The Thai plant offers an annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles, and Changan plans to double the capacity by 2027.
The Deepal S05 (here is our first drive review) made its European debut at IAA 2025 just last month, and in the UK, Changan has scheduled its launch in Q1 2026. The company offers the compact SUV as an EV and an EREV globally, but in European markets, it has introduced only the zero-emission variant.
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