Rayong plant now builds two models in Thailand
Changan Automobile attended the Thailand-China (Sichuan) Investment and Economic Forum 2026 in Chengdu, China, on 19 July 2026 as the only invited Chinese automotive brand operating in Thailand.
It also joined the opening ceremony for the Thailand Board of Investment Chengdu Office. Chairman Zhu Huarong attended both events.
During the visit, Zhu met Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, BOI Secretary General Narit Therdsteerasukdi and Chinese ambassador Zhang Jianwei.
Since entering Thailand in 2023, Changan has sold more than 41,000 vehicles in the market. It also contributed more than 1.6 billion baht in taxes and created more than 1,900 local jobs.
Changan’s talent localisation rate in Thailand is nearly 90%. It has launched 13 new energy vehicle models there, including the AVATR 07, CHANGAN DEEPAL S05 and CHANGAN NEVO Q05.
Rayong Plant exports
Built with an investment of about 9 billion baht, the Rayong Plant is Changan’s first overseas new energy vehicle production base. It now makes the CHANGAN DEEPAL S05 and CHANGAN NEVO Q05 locally.
Exports from Rayong have reached 18 countries, including Indonesia, Singapore and Australia.
Zhu told Thai leaders that Thailand will serve as Changan’s regional manufacturing headquarters for Southeast Asia. The company targets annual sales of more than 70,000 units in Thailand by 2030.
That goal would rank Changan No. 2 among Chinese brands in Thailand and No. 4 in the overall market.
Anutin praised Changan’s results in Thailand and viewed the company as a key partner in advancing the country’s new energy vehicle industry.
Meanwhile, Wu Xiaokang, deputy general manager of Changan’s Southeast Asia Business Unit, used the forum to outline the company’s investment and operating experience in Thailand.
According to Wu, Thailand has a strong ASEAN automotive industry cluster, an established parts supply chain and a geographic advantage for right-hand drive export markets.
He said Changan would keep its ‘In Thailand, For Thailand’ approach while strengthening regional headquarters operations in the country.
In April 2026, Changan Group unveiled its ‘1445’ strategic framework at its Global Strategy Launch and Global Partner Conference. The plan reinforces Vast Ocean Plan 2.0 and sets a target of joining the world’s top 10 automotive groups by 2030.
Following that launch, Changan described the framework as a shift from simply going global to building a deeper local presence overseas, with Thailand taking a central role in Southeast Asia.
