Changan expands UK dealership network to 60
Chinese car giant Changan Automobile says it now has more than 60 dealer sites signed across the UK, marking another rapid expansion from a Chinese brand looking to establish itself in Britain’s increasingly crowded EV market. The company only officially entered the UK in September 2025 with the launch of the Deepal S07 electric SUV, but claims it has already built a nationwide footprint covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It’s a significant push in a relatively short space of time, especially considering how many new brands have struggled to gain traction in the UK once the initial launch hype fades. Changan appears to be trying to avoid that by focusing heavily on dealer coverage, aftersales support and insurance costs early on.
Dealer groups already signed up include Lithia PLC, John Clark Motor Group, Allen Motor Group, WLMG and Donalds Group.
The current UK line-up remains fairly small for now, consisting of the Deepal S07 from £39,990 and the smaller Deepal S05 from £37,990, although plug-in hybrid versions of both models are due before the end of the year.
We recently reviewed the Deepal S05 - check out the video on YouTube (link at the end of this article!)
One of the more important details here is what Changan is doing behind the scenes. The company says it is working with Thatcham Research to ensure its cars meet UK insurance and repair standards, something that has become a genuine issue for several Chinese EV brands entering Europe. High insurance costs and poor parts availability can quickly damage customer confidence, regardless of how competitive the cars themselves are.
To tackle the latter, Changan has also established a UK parts warehouse near East Midlands Airport through logistics partner Kuehne + Nagel, while finance operations are being supported by BNP Paribas Personal Finance. The company is also putting all dealer staff through training at its Birmingham Technical Excellence Centre before sites open, with the facility doubling as a UK engineering hub employing more than 100 engineers.
Nic Thomas, UK Managing Director, said: “Reaching 60 dealers is a landmark moment for Changan UK and a clear demonstration of our commitment to being a long-term player in the market. We have not just grown quickly; we have grown carefully, partnering with some of the most respected dealer groups in the country to ensure customers can experience our vehicles and receive the aftercare they deserve. This is not the end of the story. It is the foundation from which we will continue to build, bringing more models to market, growing our vehicle line, and deepening our relationships with both our dealer partners and UK customers.”
About Changan
Changan Automobile is one of China’s largest automotive groups, headquartered in Chongqing with more than 45 years of manufacturing experience. The company operates 14 production bases and 40 factories globally, with sales and service networks covering 118 countries and regions.
Changan employs over 80,000 people worldwide and has expanded its European presence through a design centre in Turin and an R&D facility in Birmingham. Its brands include Changan and Avatr, alongside joint ventures such as Changan Ford and Changan Mazda.
The company surpassed 30 million cumulative vehicle sales in December 2025 and officially launched its European expansion in 2025.