Changan Automobile vs Suzuki: Founders, CEOs and History
Changan Automobile was founded in 1862 by Li Hongzhang and is led by Zhu Huarong. Suzuki was founded in 1909 by Michio Suzuki and is led by Toshihiro Suzuki.
Company facts
Changan Automobile
- Founded
- 1862
- Headquarters
- Chongqing, China
- Current CEO
- Zhu Huarong
- Employees
- 58,274
Suzuki
- Founded
- 1909
- Headquarters
- Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
- Current CEO
- Toshihiro Suzuki
- Employees
- 70,000
Founders
Changan Automobile
Li Hongzhang
While not a corporate founder in the modern sense, Li Hongzhang is the historical architect of Changan Automobile's earliest predecessor.
Suzuki
Michio Suzuki
Michio Suzuki was an absolutely legendary Japanese industrialist, fiercely brilliant mechanical engineer, and the profoundly influential founding patriarch fundamentally responsible for inventing the highly revolutionary machinery that birthed the massive Suzu…
CEOs and their tenures
Changan Automobile
- Zhang Baolin2017–2020
Former Chairman
Guided the historic Chinese automaker through a critical strategic period, heavily accelerating its partnerships and transition toward new energy vehicle architectures.
Source - Zhu Huarong2020–present
Chairman of the Board (CEO)
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
Suzuki
- Osamu Suzuki1978–2021
President & Chairman (19782021)
Transformed a regional Japanese motorcycle and kei car manufacturer into a global automotive leader producing over 3 million cars annually.
Source - Toshihiro Suzuki2015–present
Representative Director & President / CEO
Modernized Suzuki's product lineup, maintained market leadership in India and Japan, and navigated the capital-intensive transition to electrification while preserving corporate profitability.
Source
Timeline: Changan Automobile and Suzuki side by side
1862Changan Automobile
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 indu…
1909Suzuki
Michio Suzuki Founds Suzuki Loom Works: Michio Suzuki establishes Suzuki Loom Works in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, manufacturing innovative weaving looms for Japan's booming textile trade.
1952Suzuki
Launch of Power Free Motorized Bicycle: Suzuki enters motorized transportation with the Power Free 36cc two-stroke motorized bicycle, designed to provide affordable transportation for post-war Japanes…
1955Suzuki
Launch of Suzulight: Japan's Kei Car Pioneer: Introduces the Suzulight, a lightweight front-wheel-drive 360cc passenger car that helped pioneer Japan's official kei car minivehicle regulations.
1959Changan Automobile
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…
1970Suzuki
Launch of First-Generation Jimny (LJ10): Unveils the Jimny LJ10, the world's first mass-produced 4x4 minivehicle, initiating a half-century global off-road cult phenomenon.
1982Suzuki
Historic Joint Venture Agreement Forming Maruti Udyog in India: Osamu Suzuki signs a landmark joint venture agreement with the Government of India, establishing Maruti Udyog Limited to motorized the s…
1983Suzuki
Rollout of the Maruti 800 in India: The first Maruti 800 rolls off the Gurgaon assembly line, priced accessibly to become the definitive people's car that motorized modern India.
1984Changan Automobile
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 busi…
2001Changan Automobile
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.
2004Suzuki
Launch of First Global Strategic Vehicle: Suzuki Swift: Debuts the redesigned Suzuki Swift as a global strategic hatchback engineered to European driving dynamics, achieving over 9 million global sale…
2012Changan Automobile
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 consecutiv…
2015Suzuki
Victory in London International Arbitration Against Volkswagen: International Court of Arbitration orders Volkswagen to divest its 19.9% stake in Suzuki, vindicating Osamu Suzuki's defense of manageme…
2017Changan Automobile
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 tran…
2019Suzuki
Capital Alliance Established with Toyota Motor Corporation: Toyota acquires a 4.94% equity stake in Suzuki, while Suzuki invests approximately $450 million in Toyota shares, cementing collaboration on…
2021Suzuki
Retirement of Osamu Suzuki at Age 91: Osamu Suzuki retires as Chairman after 43 years leading the corporation, transferring full stewardship to President Toshihiro Suzuki.
2022Changan Automobile
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.
2024Changan Automobile
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 ma…
2025Suzuki
Global Rollout of Suzuki eVX Electric SUV: Launches its first dedicated global battery electric SUV (eVX) manufactured in Gujarat, India, featuring 60 kWh battery capacity and 500 km electric range.
Acquisitions
Changan Automobile
- Avatr Technology Co., Ltd. (Restructuring with CATL)2021Undisclosed
- Changan Suzuki (Suzuki Motor 50% Equity Stake)2018$1
Suzuki
- Suzuki Motor Gujarat Pvt Ltd (Full Consolidation)2023$1.5B
- GMDAT2004Undisclosed
- Maruti Suzuki India Limited (Controlling Majority Equity Expansion)2002$242M
Questions about Changan Automobile vs Suzuki
Who is the CEO of Changan Automobile and Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Changan Automobile is led by Zhu Huarong and Suzuki Motor Corporation is led by Toshihiro Suzuki. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Changan Automobile founded vs Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Changan Automobile was founded in 1862 — 47 years before Suzuki Motor Corporation, which was founded in 1909. Changan Automobile's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Suzuki Motor Corporation.
How many employees does Changan Automobile have compared to Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Changan Automobile employs approximately 58,274 people, while Suzuki Motor Corporation employs approximately 70,000. Suzuki Motor Corporation has the larger workforce at 70,000 employees, compared to Changan Automobile's 58,274. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Changan Automobile and Suzuki Motor Corporation headquartered?
Changan Automobile is headquartered in China and Suzuki Motor Corporation is headquartered in Japan. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Changan Automobile and Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Changan Automobile was founded by Li Hongzhang. Suzuki Motor Corporation was founded by Michio Suzuki.
Which company has a longer operating history — Changan Automobile or Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Changan Automobile has been operating for approximately 164 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Suzuki Motor Corporation has been in operation for around 117 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Changan Automobile vs Suzuki overview