A major Chinese automobile manufacturer has unveiled bold expansion plans that could reshape the global automotive landscape within the next six years.
Changan, a state-owned car company, revealed Tuesday its intention to secure a position among the world’s top-10 automakers by 2030 through aggressive growth in international markets. The announcement comes as Chinese car manufacturers increasingly look beyond their domestic borders for expansion opportunities.
The automaker has established a goal of reaching 5 million vehicle sales worldwide by 2030, with a floor target of 4 million units. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid models are expected to represent 60% of these sales.
This ambitious projection was shared ahead of the upcoming Beijing auto show, highlighting the company’s confidence in its growth strategy.
Currently ranking as the thirteenth-largest automaker globally, Changan achieved sales of 2.9 million vehicles in the previous year through its operations and partnerships with Ford and Mazda. If the company reaches its 5 million unit target, industry projections suggest it would climb to fifth place among global automakers based on current market standings.
The manufacturer operates several brand names including Changan, Deepal, Nevo, and Avatr as part of its diverse portfolio.
International expansion represents a key component of Changan’s strategy, with overseas sales targeted to reach between 1.4 million and 1.8 million vehicles by 2030. For comparison, the company sold 638,000 vehicles outside China in 2025.
This international push reflects broader trends among Chinese automakers, who are pursuing overseas growth as their home market experiences slower expansion despite being the world’s largest automotive market.
Other Chinese manufacturers have announced similarly aggressive targets this year. Geely has set a 2030 goal of 6.5 million vehicle sales, representing significant growth from its 4.2 million units sold in 2025. Meanwhile, BYD, China’s leading electric vehicle producer, has indicated to investors that it wants international sales to comprise half of its total volume by 2030.
In addition to its sales ambitions, Changan outlined plans to introduce innovative battery technology in its future vehicles. The company will launch two fully electric sedan models in 2027 featuring sodium ion batteries provided by Chinese battery manufacturer CATL.
Sodium ion battery technology offers significant cost advantages over traditional lithium ion batteries at scale, primarily because it utilizes salt as a key component, which is widely available and inexpensive to obtain.
However, this technology currently faces limitations in energy density compared to lithium batteries, resulting in reduced driving range. Changan’s planned 2027 sedan models will offer approximately 400 kilometers or 249 miles of range per charge.
