Ever since the Bermaz Changan deal fell through some time ago, things have been quiet with regards to Changan and its entry into Malaysia, but rumours have been circulating of late that the Chinese carmaker is finally set to make its way here, and now, it’s confirmed that it is, with the brand, one of the top four Chinese automakers (Geely, BYD, Chery), due to arrive here sometime in the third or fourth quarter this year.
As indicated by Changan management to our writer Farid Awaludin, who is currently in Chongqing on a familiarisation event with the automaker, the deployment will start with a general brand launch, with products from the group’s assorted portfolio of brands expected to make their way in towards the end of the year and from 2027 on.
What can we expect to see come our way? Well, plenty, because the pipeline consists of Changan, Nevo and Deepal, which will all be housed under the same showroom, as well as Avatr, which will get its own standalone premises. Lumin is however not in the plans, as the brand is considered unsuitable for our market.
As for how they will be pivoted, Changan will be their main brand, with Nevo on the same level, but only dealing with EVs. Deepal, which is sportier, sits one level above, while Avatr (which earlier this decade was known as Changan Nio) is of course being positioned by the Chinese player as its Lexus.
We were told that for Malaysia, all models – save the Avatrs – will have a ‘Changan’ name at the front, followed by the sub-brand (for example, the Nevo Q05 will be known as the Changan Nevo Q05 here). Only Avatr will have its own separate identity.
Models that are being considered for Malaysia include a host of SUVs such as the Changan CS55, Deepal S05 and S07 and Nevo Q05 as well as the Avatr 07 and Avatr 11, with the Changan Hunter pick-up truck also reportedly in the mix. The automaker is aiming at having the Deepal S05 and Nevo Q05 becoming its primary volume movers.
In terms of model specific details, it was indicated that the Changan CS55 will come in both ICE and HEV guise, while only the REEV version of the Hunter pick-up (which is sold in Thailand in its Deepal Hunter K50 form) will be considered for Malaysia. The Hunter Plus seen in these photos is a diesel unit, as the REEV was not brought to the test drive event.
While it has a RHD manufacturing facility in Thailand, having launched its Rayong assembly plant in May last year, the company said that its main aim is to have CKD local assembly for its models, although it did not indicate which would go that route. No mention of whether it is set to go alone or via a partnership like as intended previously, but we’ll know soon enough how things shape up in a few months.
GALLERY: Deepal S05, LHD
GALLERY: Nevo Q05, LHD
GALLERY: Avatr 07, LHD
GALLERY: Changan CS55, LHD
GALLERY: Changan Hunter Plus, LHD
