Changan Automobile
Company History
Changan Automobile History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 1862 in Chongqing, China
When was Changan Automobile founded?
Changan Automobile was founded in 1862 in Chongqing, China by Li Hongzhang, making it 164 years old.
- Founded
- 1862
- Founding place
- Chongqing, China
- Founders
- Li Hongzhang
- Headquarters today
- Chongqing, China
- Milestones documented
- 10 (1862–2024)
- Current CEO
- Zhu Huarong
- Acquisitions
- 4
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1862 | Founding of the Bureau of Western Arms by Li Hongzhang: Qing Dynasty statesman Li Hongzhang founds the Bureau of Western Arms in Shanghai in December 1862, marking the beginning of China's modern industrial history and Changan's direct lineage. |
| 1959 | Manufacturing of the Yangtze River 46 Jeep: Changan manufactures China's first domestically designed and built military off-road vehicle, the Yangtze River Type 46, which was reviewed by Chairman Mao Zedong. |
| 1984 | Entry into Civilian Commercial Mini-Vehicles: Under national economic reform directives, Changan partners with Suzuki to manufacture compact minivans and light commercial trucks, mobilizing small businesses across China. |
| 2001 | Establishment of Changan Ford Joint Venture: Changan and Ford Motor Company establish a 50:50 joint venture in Chongqing, manufacturing popular global models including the Focus, Mondeo, and Fiesta. |
| 2012 | Launch of the Changan CS35 and CS75 SUV Lineage: Changan releases the CS35, followed by the blockbuster CS75 SUV, establishing Changan as China's top-selling domestic SUV brand for multiple consecutive years. |
| 2012 | Changan Mazda Formed |
| 2017 | Unveiling of the Shangri-La Electrification Plan: Changan announces the historic 'Shangri-La Plan,' pledging over $13.9 billion (RMB 100 billion) to phase out pure internal combustion engines and transition to electrified architectures. |
| 2020 | Zhu Huarong becomes CEO |
| 2022 | Launch of Deepal and Avatr New Energy Marque: Launches Deepal (Shenlan) for mass-market smart EVs and Avatr alongside CATL and Huawei for luxury intelligent driving. |
| 2024 | Thailand Rayong NEV Manufacturing Hub: Changan builds its first overseas NEV manufacturing base in Rayong, Thailand, as its right-hand-drive export hub for Southeast Asia and other right-hand-drive markets. |
- Where was Changan Automobile founded?
- Changan Automobile was founded in Chongqing, China in 1862.
- Who founded Changan Automobile?
- Changan Automobile was founded by Li Hongzhang.
- When did Changan Automobile start?
- Changan Automobile was founded in 1862.
- How old is Changan Automobile?
- Changan Automobile is 164 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
The origins of Changan are deeply tied to Chinese military history. In 1862, during the Qing Dynasty, Li Hongzhang established a military factory in Shanghai to manufacture artillery and guns. The factory was moved multiple times to avoid invading armies, eventually settling in Chongqing. For over a century, they built weapons. In 1959, they built the 'Yangtze River', China's very first domestically produced military jeep. In 1984, the company officially transitioned from a state military arsenal into civilian vehicle manufacturing, laying the large industrial foundation for the modern Changan Automobile.
Founders
Li Hongzhang
While not a corporate founder in the modern sense, Li Hongzhang is the historical architect of Changan Automobile's earliest predecessor. In 1862, he established the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau, China's first modern state-owned engineering and armaments factory, designed to equip the Qing military with Western-style weaponry. Following the Sino-Japanese War, this industrial base was relocated to Chongqing in 1865 and renamed the Jinling Arsenal. For over a century, this facility operated exclusively as a military ordnance manufacturer, providing critical armaments through both World Wars. It wasn't until the late 1950s, under the directives of the People's Republic of China, that this deeply entrenched military-industrial complex was repurposed to manufacture the 'Changjiang Type 46,' China's first production jeep. The organizational DNA established by Li Hongzhang's pursuit of heavy industrialization laid the foundational manufacturing capacity that eventually evolved into Changan Automobile, now one of China's 'Big Four' state-owned automotive manufacturers.
Key Milestones
Founding of the Bureau of Western Arms by Li Hongzhang: Qing Dynasty statesman Li Hongzhang founds the Bureau of Western Arms in Shanghai in December 1862, marking the beginning of China's modern industrial history and Changan's direct lineage.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgManufacturing of the Yangtze River 46 Jeep: Changan manufactures China's first domestically designed and built military off-road vehicle, the Yangtze River Type 46, which was reviewed by Chairman Mao Zedong.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgEntry into Civilian Commercial Mini-Vehicles: Under national economic reform directives, Changan partners with Suzuki to manufacture compact minivans and light commercial trucks, mobilizing small businesses across China.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgEstablishment of Changan Ford Joint Venture: Changan and Ford Motor Company establish a 50:50 joint venture in Chongqing, manufacturing popular global models including the Focus, Mondeo, and Fiesta.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgLaunch of the Changan CS35 and CS75 SUV Lineage: Changan releases the CS35, followed by the blockbuster CS75 SUV, establishing Changan as China's top-selling domestic SUV brand for multiple consecutive years.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgChangan Mazda Formed
Changan and Mazda formed the Changan Mazda joint venture in 2012 after the three-way venture with Ford was split.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgUnveiling of the Shangri-La Electrification Plan: Changan announces the historic 'Shangri-La Plan,' pledging over $13.9 billion (RMB 100 billion) to phase out pure internal combustion engines and transition to electrified architectures.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgZhu Huarong becomes CEO
Zhu Huarong became CEO of Changan Automobile in 2020. Led Changan from 2.30 million vehicle sales and ~$14.6B (CN¥105.1B) revenue in 2021 to 2.913 million sales and ~$22.8B (CN¥164.0B) revenue in 2025, with NEVs rising to about 38% of volume.
Source: eu.36kr.comLaunch of Deepal and Avatr New Energy Marque: Launches Deepal (Shenlan) for mass-market smart EVs and Avatr alongside CATL and Huawei for luxury intelligent driving.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgThailand Rayong NEV Manufacturing Hub: Changan builds its first overseas NEV manufacturing base in Rayong, Thailand, as its right-hand-drive export hub for Southeast Asia and other right-hand-drive markets.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgMajor Acquisitions
Changan Suzuki (Suzuki Motor 50% Equity Stake)
2018Changan acquired Suzuki's entire 50% equity stake in their longstanding joint venture for a symbolic 1 yuan, taking 100% control of the manufacturing facilities in Chongqing.
Avatr Technology Co., Ltd. (Restructuring with CATL)
2021Restructured the former Changan-NIO joint venture into Avatr Technology, with CATL as a major shareholder and Huawei as the intelligent-technology partner, to build a premium smart EV brand.
Hafei and Changhe
2009Expand manufacturing footprint and portfolio in domestic Chinese market.
Hyundai Chongqing Plant
2025Boost production capacity for Deepal brand to meet surging NEV demand.
Keep researching Changan Automobile
Changan Automobile Company History FAQ
When was Changan founded and what was its original 19th-century purpose?
Changan was founded in December 1862 in Shanghai by Qing Dynasty statesman Li Hongzhang as the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau, manufacturing Western artillery and military machinery.
When did the factory relocate to Chongqing during the Second World War?
In 1937, the factory relocated to Chongqing to escape wartime occupation, becoming China's primary 21st Arsenal and manufacturing over half of all domestic weapons used in the war effort.
When did Changan manufacture its first motor vehicle?
In 1959, Changan built the Changjiang Type 46 military jeep, becoming China's first domestic manufacturer of four-wheel-drive motor vehicles.
When did Changan enter civilian passenger vehicle manufacturing with Suzuki?
In 1984, Changan pivoted to commercial civilian auto production through a technical partnership with Suzuki, producing popular minivans and compact cars for millions of Chinese families.
When were the Changan Ford and Changan Mazda joint ventures formed?
Changan established its passenger car joint venture with Ford Motor Company in 2001 and with Mazda in 2005, rapidly scaling modern passenger car production in Chongqing, Nanjing, and Hangzhou.
When did Changan launch the well-known CS75 SUV and become a #1 domestic brand?
In 2014, Changan launched the blockbuster CS75 SUV series, helping Changan become the first Chinese domestic automaker to sell over 1 million proprietary passenger cars annually in 2015.
When did Changan launch its next-generation EV brands Deepal and Avatr?
Changan launched its luxury smart EV brand Avatr (with CATL and Huawei) in 2021 and its digital electric brand Deepal (Shenlan) in 2022, transitioning rapidly to intelligent new energy vehicles.
What is Changan Automobile's standing in the global automotive industry today?
Today, Changan Automobile is one of China's Big Four auto groups, producing over 2.5 million vehicles annually, operating in over 60 countries, and leading the transition to intelligent electric mobility with 160+ years of industrial heritage.
When was Changan Automobile founded?
Changan has the oldest history of any Chinese automaker. It traces its origins directly to 1862 when Li Hongzhang founded the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau, a military arsenal during the Qing Dynasty, which eventually pivoted to manufacturing military jeeps in 1959.
Related Strategic History
Compare founding milestones and corporate evolution
Explore Changan Automobile
Core profile pages, founders and related research hubs for this company.