Changan makes first move to Europe with electric Deepal S07

Changan, a state-owned Chinese auto manufacturer known for its sub-brands Avatr and Deepal and its joint ventures for domestic production of Ford and Mazda models, is coming to Europe. The brand will hold a launch event in Mainz, Germany, where it will introduce the Deepal S07 to the European public, soon followed by other models.

Changan may not be a household name (yet) in Europe, but it is not a small fish: in 2023, it produced over 2.5 million vehicles. Last year, it sold over 240,000 battery-electric vehicles (BEV), making it one of the leaders in the segment. Most of these BEVs were sold under the Deepal and Avatr names, the latter being known as one of Huawei’s automotive ventures.

Deepal S07: electric SUV for €45,000

Now, Changan is coming to Europe with Deepal, the brand founded in 2018. The first model to take the journey to the West will be the Deepal S07, a mid-size electric SUV with a WLTP range of 475 km thanks to an 80 kWh battery. Power comes from a rear-mounted 262 hp electric motor.

The model was designed in Turin with European expectations in mind and has already passed its Euro NCAP safety tests with a five-star rating. It first launched in China in June 2023 and has already received a facelift since, with an upgraded semi-autonomous driving system from Huawei.

Focus on Europe

Depending on the market, Changan promises a starting price of €45,000 for the Deepal S07 in Europe. Norway, Denmark, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands have been selected as the first focus markets. Still, Changan wants to expand to over 10 markets by the end of 2025 by partnering with existing car dealerships.

“In addition, we are opening our European spare parts warehouse in the Netherlands, which will serve as a central sales point for the dealer network while others are in the planning. This infrastructure ensures we can offer comprehensive sales and customer service from day one,” said Leevon Tian, Deputy General Manager of ChangAn Automobile Europe Holding B.V.

But the Deepal S07 will not be alone for long. In the following months, other models will be introduced, beginning with the more compact Deepal S05 SUV, available in electric and range-extended versions to appeal to a broader clientele.