{"id":69413,"date":"2025-09-05T12:18:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T16:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/changan-drives-into-the-uk-with-italian-designed-electric-suv-and-bold-plans-for-lasting-quality\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T12:18:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T16:18:07","slug":"changan-drives-into-the-uk-with-italian-designed-electric-suv-and-bold-plans-for-lasting-quality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/changan-drives-into-the-uk-with-italian-designed-electric-suv-and-bold-plans-for-lasting-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"Changan Drives Into the UK With Italian-Designed Electric SUV and Bold Plans for Lasting Quality"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why Is Changan Suddenly Making Headlines in the UK Car Market?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been keeping an eye on the UK automotive scene, you might have noticed a new name popping up: Changan. While the brand is a household name in China, it\u2019s only now making its big move into the UK, and it\u2019s doing so with a bang\u2014a fully electric SUV, the Deepal S07, priced at \u00a339,990. But what\u2019s behind this sudden push, and why should UK drivers care? Let\u2019s dig into what\u2019s making Changan\u2019s arrival so noteworthy.<\/p>\n

What Sets the Changan Deepal S07 Apart From Other Electric SUVs?<\/p>\n

At first glance, the Deepal S07 slots right into the ever-growing field of electric crossovers, competing with heavyweights like the Tesla Model Y. But Changan isn\u2019t just relying on a competitive price tag. The S07 has been engineered in the UK, with a dedicated R&D hub in Birmingham employing 100 engineers, and designed in Italy by a team of 300. That\u2019s a rare blend of British engineering and Italian flair, and it shows in the car\u2019s ride and handling.<\/p>\n

The S07 comes in a single, fully loaded trim: rear-wheel drive, 215bhp, 236lb ft of torque, and an 80kWh battery offering a claimed 295-mile range. That\u2019s more than enough for most commutes and family road trips. And if you\u2019re wondering about tech, Changan\u2019s UK team spent months recalibrating the suspension and fine-tuning the advanced driver assistance systems to suit British roads and driving habits. The result? A car that feels purpose-built for the UK, not just a generic import.<\/p>\n

How Is Changan Building Trust With UK Car Buyers?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be honest: breaking into the UK market isn\u2019t easy, especially for a brand that\u2019s new to most local drivers. Changan\u2019s approach is refreshingly thorough. They\u2019ve set up a contracted and stocked parts warehouse at East Midlands Airport, ensuring quick access to spares. They\u2019ve also worked with CAP to achieve a projected residual value of 47%, which is impressive for a new entrant and signals confidence in the car\u2019s long-term value.<\/p>\n

Dealer support is another big focus. Changan is launching with 20 dealerships, with plans to expand to around 100 across 25 dealer groups. They\u2019re partnering with established names like Ancaster, Parks, DM Keith, and Stoneacre. Interestingly, they\u2019re not demanding exclusive showrooms\u2014dealers can display Changan cars alongside other brands, keeping investment costs down and making it easier for customers to compare.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the Story Behind Changan\u2019s Global Ambitions?<\/p>\n

Changan isn\u2019t just another startup. The company\u2019s roots go back to the 1860s as a trading arm of the Chinese government, and it\u2019s been building cars since the 1950s. In the first half of 2025, Changan was the fourth best-selling car group in China, according to industry data. Their global push started years ago, with exports to Southeast Asia and the Middle East, and more recently, a launch in Norway.<\/p>\n

The UK is a key part of Changan\u2019s European strategy, but it\u2019s not the only one. The company is investing over $10 billion in new products and factories to support global growth. And while the Deepal S07 is the headline act for now, a smaller Deepal S05 (think Volvo EX40 size) is on the way, with even more affordable models planned in the \u00a320,000s. There\u2019s also a lower-cost sub-brand, Nevo, set to join the lineup, making Changan a potential one-stop shop for a range of budgets.<\/p>\n

How Is Changan Addressing Quality and Customer Service?<\/p>\n

Quality is a word that comes up a lot in Changan\u2019s UK launch. In China, the brand has been ranked number one for initial vehicle quality by JD Power, a respected industry benchmark. The UK team is determined to bring that same standard to British buyers. That means not rushing to market, adapting products for local needs, and building a team that understands what UK drivers expect.<\/p>\n

Changan\u2019s UK managing director, Nic Thomas, is clear: the goal isn\u2019t to chase quick sales at the expense of quality or resale values. Instead, the focus is on building a sustainable, trustworthy business that can stand the test of time. That\u2019s a smart move, especially in a market where new entrants often struggle to win over skeptical buyers.<\/p>\n

What Can UK Drivers Expect Next From Changan?<\/p>\n

The Deepal S07 is just the beginning. Changan\u2019s playbook includes a full range of powertrains\u2014electric, plug-in hybrid, and more\u2014tailored to evolving UK and European regulations. The brand\u2019s modular approach means more models will follow, including the Deepal S05 and the budget-friendly Nevo range. There\u2019s even talk of European production down the line, which could further boost local trust and reduce delivery times.<\/p>\n

Changan\u2019s ambitions don\u2019t stop at the UK border, either. The company is eyeing a spot among the top 10 car brands in the UK, though there\u2019s no set timeline for that goal. With a mix of competitive pricing, robust dealer support, and a clear focus on quality, Changan is positioning itself as a serious contender\u2014not just another fleeting newcomer.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the Real Takeaway for UK Car Buyers?<\/p>\n

Changan\u2019s arrival signals a new era of competition in the UK car market. For buyers, that means more choice, better value, and the chance to experience a blend of global design and local engineering. If you\u2019re in the market for an electric SUV, the Deepal S07 is worth a look\u2014not just for its specs, but for the thought and investment behind it.<\/p>\n

As the UK automotive landscape evolves, Changan\u2019s careful, quality-driven approach could set a new standard for what drivers expect from a new brand. The outcome? Game-changing. And it\u2019s only just getting started.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"Changan<\/a><\/p>\n

Dealer support, Birmingham development hub and Italian design key as historic firm eyes successful launch<\/p>\n

\n

Changan is the latest Chinese car brand to launch in the UK, doing so with a new \u00a339,990 electric SUV that has been engineered in the UK and designed in Italy.<\/p>\n

The Changan Deepal S07 will be in the first of the 20 new Changan dealerships this month and will be followed into showrooms later this year by a smaller Deepal S05 model, which will be revealed at next week\u2019s Munich motor show.<\/p>\n

Ex-Nissan executive Nic Thomas is Changan\u2019s UK managing director and told Autocar that the British engineering in the brand\u2019s cars would shine through in how they drive.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will see the difference versus some of the other cars that are coming to market,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Based in Chongqing, Changan can trace its roots back to being a trading arm of the Chinese government back in the 1860s but moved into cars in the 1950s when it started manufacturing Jeeps<\/a> under licence.\u00a0Its first own-brand cars followed in the 1980s.<\/p>\n

In 2010, it laid the groundwork for a global launch of its models with a UK R&D centre in Birmingham that’s home to 100 engineers. This is seen as crucial in ensuring its cars are ready to launch in the UK \u2013 as is a design centre in Italy that’s\u00a0home to around 300 designers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Work on the Deepal S07 from the UK engineering team included a full rebuild and redesign of the suspension in just three months to make it more suitable for UK roads and driving tastes, plus extensive calibration work on the automated driving assistance functions to better tailor the software.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Our software works really well and has been properly tailored to provide a customer a really usable experience,” Thomas said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Deepal S07 is a Tesla Model Y<\/a>-sized crossover that will be sold in just one, fully loaded trim level. It’s rear-wheel-drive with a 215bhp, 236lb ft motor and an 80kWh battery that\u2019s good for a 295-mile range.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Changan<\/p>\n

While Changan is launching with the Deepal S07 as an EV, a plug-in hybrid version is also set to follow as part of plans for the brand to offer a full range of powertrain options across its line-up.<\/p>\n

Deepal is a sub-range of models under the Changan brand, but\u00a0while in China there are saloons as well as crossovers under the Deepal badge, the range in the UK is set to include only crossovers.<\/p>\n

The Deepal S07 is the largest planned for now and the Volvo EX40<\/a>-sized Deepal S05 is next to follow. Smaller models are also planned that will be priced in the \u00a320,000s.<\/p>\n

There’s another Changan sub-brand of lower-cost models called Nevo, and these will be launched in the UK also under the Changan badge in the future, which will be the entry point into the brand.<\/p>\n

To that end, Changan models will be either a Changan Deepal or a Changan Nevo.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A third sub-brand, Avatr<\/a>, exists as a joint venture between Changan and battery maker CATL. Thomas confirmed this brand does have European plans of its own but will exist under different leadership and not be sold in the same showrooms as Deepal and Nevo models.<\/p>\n

Changan was the fourth best-selling car-making group in China in the first half of 2025. It\u00a0has already\u00a0exported models to the likes of South East Asia and the Middle East before a recent launch in Norway started its European push. The UK launch is one of several others planned into major European markets over the next few months.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thomas, the first commercial employee for Changan in Europe when he joined in January 2024, said that the European and UK market preparation had been more than 18 months in the making and included a \u201ccontracted and stocked\u201d parts warehouse at East Midlands Airport;\u00a0work with CAP on residual values to get to what\u2019s claimed to be a best-in-class figure of 47%; work with\u00a0Thatcham on insurability;\u00a0and a banking partner.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve done the things we need to do to make sure that before we deliver a car to a customer.\u00a0We\u2019re actually ready to look after that customer\u00a0and are ready to look after the dealers with all the services they then need to look after the customer,\u201d said Thomas.<\/p>\n

\"Changan<\/p>\n

An initial 20 dealers should be followed by another 25 later this year, with a goal of around 100 targeted in total by Thomas\u00a0across around 25 different dealer groups.<\/p>\n

The likes of Ancaster, Parks, DM Keith and Stoneacre have been signed as dealer partners.<\/p>\n

Thomas said Changan doesn’t require dealers to give the brand its own bespoke showrooms to ensure that investment costs were kept low,\u00a0and they can continue to work with other brands in the same space for aftersales.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot of dealers with a legacy brand\u00a0who will divide a showroom in half and spear them out [for new car sales] but then they\u2019ve still got the aftersales work coming through,\u201d he said. \u201cWe believe our products stand up against anybody and are happy to have the opportunity for people to look across and say: \u2018What\u2019s that?\u00a0 We\u2019ll take one of those, please, at least for a test drive.’\u201d<\/p>\n

Vehicle quality and customer service are big differentiators for Changan in China, said Thomas, with JD Power ranking Changan as the number-one brand in China for initial vehicle quality. \u201cWe need to bring the same level of quality to Europe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

To that end, Thomas said Changan won’t be pushing for quick short-term volume gains that could undermine profitability and residual values.<\/p>\n

“The message from China is to build a quality business for the long term,” he said. “Do not rush to market. Don’t push the product before it’s ready. Get it right by adapting to the local market. Build a local team that understands the market. Get the elements in place to deliver quality customer service. That’s a very, very clear message from the top.<\/p>\n

“Our ambition is not limited.\u00a0We expect to be one of the leading global automotive companies. We’re investing more than $10 billion in new products to support globalisation and new factories.”<\/p>\n

Thomas said the long-term plan was to be in the top 10 car brands in the UK but didn’t put a timeframe on that goal. He believes the focus on quality is what “differentiates us from other new entrants”.<\/p>\n

European production is possible for Changan in the future\u00a0too, said Thomas.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":69414,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,137],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-69413","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-featured","8":"category-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69413","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=69413"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69413\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69414"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69413"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69413"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}