Changan building dealer network as it accelerates UK expansion

Changan will take on legacy car makers in the UK by creating a comprehensive dealer network to “build trust” with buyers. Its ultimate goal, according to UK boss Nic Thomas, is to become one of the top 10 best-selling manufacturers “within the next few years”. Changan, which claims to be China’s oldest car maker, launched in the UK earlier this year with the Deepal S07 SUV. This was quickly followed by the Skoda Elroq-rivalling Deepal S05 mid-sized crossover, and more models are on the way, such as the Kia EV4-sized Deepal E06. Thomas told Autocar that it's “making a very significant investment” in the UK because “we have big plans”. “We're building a network of dealers, we've built out a customer service infrastructure already and we’re bringing a range of products to cover most of the market segments,” he said. “We think those products are great, very competitively priced, and the combination of that commitment to customer service, those great products and that great dealer network will enable us to get into that top-10 position.” Climbing into the top 10 of the UK's sales table would mean outselling Skoda (83,304 sales last year), Vauxhall (81,291) and Renault (65,537), not to mention compatriots MG (85,155) and BYD (51,422). While British buyers will see Changan as a new name, the brand's presence in Europe extends as far back as 2001, when it opened a design centre in Turin. Its Birmingham R&D base followed in 2010. Thomas emphasised the need to leverage this history, as well as building a “strong and reliable” dealer network, in order to build trust with buyers sceptical of electric cars. “We have to demonstrate to customers that we’re worthy of their money,” he said. “Cars are still a very important purchase for the vast majority of people, whether they’re leasing, on a finance package or buying it outright. “The dealers are critical in delivering that visibility and trust. We’re proud that reputable dealer groups have decided to partner with us and build out multiple dealerships.” In the first instance, Changan will focus on SUVs and crossovers, said Thomas, because these offer “practicality, family-friendliness and roominess” which are good qualities for brand-building. Later, however, he suggested that it would need to expand its line-up to include different bodystyles in order to really succeed in the UK and Europe. “Hatchbacks and smaller cars are definitely on our plan,” he told Autocar. “Different styles like estate cars or wagons are important in some parts of Europe.” The next UK-bound Changan is the Deepal E06, due in 2027. Offering up to 280 miles of range, the EV will mark the company’s entry into the B-segment. “That really is the volume part of the market with a significantly lower price point,” Thomas said. “I expect that to be one of our key volume sellers.” Changan also has plans to localise its manufacturing in Europe. "We are already partners with European suppliers like Continental, Bosch, Siemens and ZF," said Thomas. "We need battery capacity to grow in Europe, and once that comes, it will enable us to localise production. Despite struggles to find a suitable factory or potential construction site on the continent, Changan isn't considering sharing a production facility with another company. “We want Europe to be the second major market for Changan outside of China, and to do that you need local production," said Thomas. "We will build from scratch or buy an existing factory; we will not partner with someone else to build our cars for us.”

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Changan building dealer network as it accelerates UK expansion

Chinese manufacturer is making significant investment in the UK with the goal of local production

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Changan building dealer network as it accelerates UK expansion

Chinese manufacturer is making significant investment in the UK with the goal of local production

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