Changan Opens High-Tech NEV Plant In Thailand To Accelerate Global Expansion Plan

Chinese automaker Changan Automobile officially opened its first international new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand last week, reinforcing its commitment to global expansion and sustainable mobility. The launch of this state-of-the-art plant also coincided with a production milestone i.e. Changan’s 28.59 millionth vehicle rolling off the assembly line.

As a cornerstone of ChangAn’s Vast Ocean Plan, the Rayong factory represents a shift from traditional vehicle exports to full-scale industrial globalisation. This strategic development establishes Thailand as a major production hub, supporting Changan’s ambitions in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Smart, Sustainable Production Powerhouse

The Rayong plant integrates cutting-edge technologies with environmentally conscious design. It houses 5 intelligent workshops i.e. for welding, painting, general and engine assembly, and battery systems, and boasts 90% automation at key quality checkpoints. This is one of the highest levels of automation in Thailand’s automotive industry.

Sustainability is a core principle of the facility’s design:

• A 14 MW photovoltaic system will supply up to 45% of its electricity.

• Eco-friendly features such as rainwater harvesting, natural lighting, recirculating air towers, and louvers will reduce energy consumption for lighting and ventilation, cut energy costs by 5%, and improve water efficiency.

Changan’s flexible manufacturing system also enables the production of multiple vehicle models and powertrains on the same line. The welding shop has 39 robots and advanced bonding techniques like FDS, EPS, and SPR that offer superior joint strength. Meanwhile, the painting workshop, with 29 robots, delivers a 15-year paint lifespan while reducing emissions by 40%. Further, the assembly line includes 140 stations, blending full and semi-automated processes for higher throughput and adaptability. The power workshop supports engine and battery production, including ultra-precise engine tile-matching and visual guidance across 22 battery processes. Forty-five AGVs create a flexible, responsive manufacturing and transport system. 

Digital-First Operations & Quality Assurance

The Rayong plant operates using a full-stack digital ecosystem and microservice architecture, ensuring 100% online operations across its supply chain and production. Real-time scheduling can reduce the vehicle order-to-delivery cycle from 21 days to just 15 days, significantly boosting efficiency.

Additionally, the Changan Quality Operating System (CAQOS) underpins a rigorous quality assurance framework. It includes:

• 77 surveillance cameras and 62 foolproof checkpoints

• 71 quality containment processes

• End-to-end quality oversight from supplier to market

Supporting Localisation & Sustainable Growth

Looking ahead, Changan plans to localise 80% of production at the Rayong facility and create 30,000 jobs, to help drive Thailand’s transition to a low-carbon economy. A dedicated Rayong Parts Centre will also be in place to support right-hand drive markets with 24-hour delivery capabilities.

With the Rayong plant online, Changan is looking to launch up to 12 new NEV models over the next 3 years, as well as expand on AI features. By 2030, Changan targets 5 million global vehicle sales, including 3 million NEVs. Currently in Thailand, Changan sells the Lumin and Deepal brands, as well as the Avatr which is a joint venture between Changan, CATL and Huawei. 

“After 556 days of dedication from over 2,000 employees and partners around the world, we have built a factory that is efficient, modern, and smart,” said Shen Xinghua, Managing Director of Changan Automobile Southeast Asia Business Unit. “We are here for the long run. Together, we will help shape a cleaner, smarter, and stronger automotive future — In Thailand, For Thailand, and For the world.”

Due to the long term nature of such major investments by foreign manufacturers, which would take years to amortise and bear returns, they are typically made possible by ‘friendly’ and ‘assuring’ long term government policies and direction. And something we ought to take notice of.

In Malaysia, Bermaz Changan Sdn Bhd (BCSB), a subsidiary of Bermaz Auto (BAuto), had showcased the Deepal S07 which is slated for an official launch later this year. Incidentally, Changan has contributed to the development of the Mazda EZ-6 and EZ-60 EV models.