Changan Automobile announced plans to launch 35 intelligent new models over the next 3 years, with solid-state battery vehicle validation scheduled for 2026. Target energy density reaches 400Wh/kg, with gradual mass production from 2027. This marks Chinese OEMs entering the practical phase of solid-state battery industrialization.
At the Future Automotive Pioneer Conference on May 29, Avatr Technology Chairman Wang Hui revealed that 2025 domestic auto sales exceeded 34.4 million units but industry profit margin was only 4.1%, dropping further to 2.9% in Jan-Feb 2026. He proposed three "value leap" insights: shifting from selling cars to making premium products, from tech competition to safety focus, and from design following to original profitability.
Latest 2026 data shows Chinese brand passenger vehicles now hold 40% market share in Russia, making China the largest brand camp in the country. This means 4 out of every 10 new cars sold are Chinese. Chery, Haval, Geely and Changan have established deep roots through KD assembly and localized operations, while Japanese and Korean brands continue to retreat. For Central Asian and Russian buyers, the choice space, after-sales network and product iteration speed of Chinese cars have fundamentally changed.
Changan sold 207,150 vehicles in April, with NEV sales of 55,275 units (+9.38% YoY). Overseas sales reached 89,794 units, accounting for 43.3% of total volume. NEV became the only growth segment. Avatr, Deepal, and Qiyuan brands cover the full price spectrum from 200K to 600K yuan.
The Jan-Apr 2026 Chinese independent OEM sales top 5 is out: BYD leads with 1.194M units, Chery rises to 2nd with 786K (boosted by exports), Changan 3rd at 732K. Geely and Great Wall round out the top 5 at 621K and 418K respectively. NEV penetration rate has become the decisive ranking variable.
In Q1 2026, Russia reclaimed its position as China's top auto export destination with 186,800 units, up 97.1% year-on-year. This strong rebound marks Chinese OEMs' transition in the Russian market from an "inventory clearance" phase to "structural recovery." Brazil followed with 166,800 units, surging 242.8% year-on-year. Chery, GWM, and Geely are transforming Russia's trade barriers into drivers for localized upgrades through KD assembly and local partnerships.
January-April 2026 Chinese domestic brand sales rankings are in. BYD leads with a staggering 1.387 million units, nearly equaling the combined sales of ranks two through five. Geely holds second place with 672,000 units, followed by Chery (584,000), Changan (519,000), and GWM (396,000). NEV penetration rates vary dramatically among the five—BYD achieves 100%, while GWM sits at just 23.8%.
Changan Automobile has formally released its Central Asia five-country service network expansion plan, targeting coverage across 50 cities in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan by end of 2026. This represents the largest after-sales service network construction plan by a Chinese OEM in Central Asia, directly addressing overseas buyers' core concern about after-sales protection.
In May 2026, China's new energy vehicle exports to Central Asia jumped 62% YoY to a record high. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan led the growth, driven by policy incentives and surging market demand.
The Kazakh government officially extended zero import duties on electric vehicles through end-2028, alongside a charging infrastructure subsidy program. This policy will directly reduce Chinese EV prices in Kazakhstan by 15-20%, potentially pushing annual imports past 200,000 units.
The Changan Deepal S05 rolled off the production line at Changan's Jizzakh, Uzbekistan plant — the company's first overseas production base in Central Asia. Annual capacity: 30,000 units, with a 40% local procurement target.
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