Changan Auto Reports Strong March 2026 Sales Growth, Driven by NEV Expansion and Global Markets

On April 2, 2026, Changan Automobile released its March sales results, delivering a strong performance amid intensifying competition and ongoing price pressure in the global automotive industry.

The company recorded 270,600 vehicle sales in March, representing a 78% month-on-month increase, signaling a robust rebound in demand. Notably, both its new energy vehicle (NEV) segment and overseas markets achieved record-breaking results, highlighting a dual-engine growth strategy that continues to gain momentum.

Strong Recovery Reinforces Market Position

Changan’s March performance places it firmly among the leading Chinese automakers. Within the highly competitive domestic landscape, the company ranked second among major independent brands, demonstrating resilience and operational strength.

Compared to February, Changan achieved an increase of nearly 120,000 units, significantly outperforming the industry average growth rate. This surge can be attributed to:

• Post-holiday demand recovery
• Increased market activity from auto shows
• Launch of new and updated vehicle models

On a year-on-year basis, sales remained stable with a slight increase, maintaining growth despite a high base in the same period last year.

Changan’s electrification strategy continues to deliver measurable results. In March, the company sold 89,600 new energy vehicles, representing a 112% month-on-month increase.

This growth pushed NEV penetration to over 33%, marking a significant milestone in Changan’s transition toward electrification.

The strong performance reflects the success of its multi-brand NEV strategy, which includes:

• AVATR (high-end intelligent EVs)
• Deepal (technology-focused models)
• Changan Qiyuan (mainstream electrified vehicles)

These brands collectively support Changan’s long-term electrification roadmap, originally outlined under its “Shangri-La Plan.”

Changan’s international expansion reached a major milestone in March, with overseas sales surpassing 100,000 units in a single month for the first time, totaling 103,900 vehicles.

This represents a 60% increase compared to the previous month and reinforces the company’s position as a leading exporter among Chinese automakers.

The growing contribution of overseas markets highlights:

• Strong global demand for Chinese vehicles
• Improved international distribution networks
• Increasing brand recognition in emerging and developed markets

As a result, Changan is successfully building a balanced growth model, supported by both domestic and international sales channels.

While overall sales growth remains strong, performance varies across Changan’s brand portfolio:

• Changan Qiyuan emerged as a key growth driver, with sales exceeding 36,000 units, supported by strong demand for new models
• Deepal maintained steady momentum, surpassing 31,000 units, with popular models continuing to gain traction
• The Changan UNI and CS series remained a stable foundation, delivering over 100,000 units, demonstrating the ongoing relevance of internal combustion and hybrid models
• The commercial vehicle division also posted strong growth, contributing to overall volume expansion
• Meanwhile, AVATR continues to develop its position in the premium EV segment, with gradual but steady growth

This diversified portfolio allows Changan to mitigate market risks while maintaining flexibility across different segments.

Changan’s performance is underpinned by continuous investment in advanced technologies.

In March, the company introduced its next-generation hybrid system, designed to deliver:

• Ultra-low fuel consumption
• Enhanced energy efficiency
• Seamless integration of electric and combustion technologies

In addition, Changan is accelerating development in next-generation battery technologies, including solid-state batteries, with plans for future commercialization.

The company is also advancing its intelligent driving capabilities under its “Beidou Tianshu 2.0” strategy, offering multiple levels of driver assistance solutions across its product lineup.

The broader automotive market in March showed strong recovery, with most major manufacturers reporting significant month-on-month growth.

At the same time, the industry is entering a new phase, as new energy vehicles account for over 50% of total market penetration, marking a structural shift toward electrification.

Competition continues to intensify, with leading players such as BYD, Geely, and other global brands expanding their product offerings and pricing strategies.

Looking ahead, Changan has set an ambitious target of 3.3 million annual vehicle sales in 2026, representing continued growth.

To support this objective, the company plans to launch eight new models throughout the year, further strengthening its product portfolio across both traditional and electrified segments.

Upcoming releases from its premium and NEV brands are expected to play a key role in sustaining growth momentum.

Changan Automobile’s March 2026 performance highlights three key trends:

• Accelerated electrification, with NEVs becoming a core growth driver
• Rapid global expansion, establishing overseas markets as a major pillar
• Stable legacy product lines, supporting financial performance during the transition

As the automotive industry evolves toward electrification and intelligent mobility, Changan’s balanced strategy positions it well for long-term competitiveness.

With continued investment in technology, global expansion, and product innovation, the company is poised to remain a key player in the next phase of the global automotive market.