Changan Invests in Brazil, Launches Models in Mexico, and Begins Testing Batteries with Over 1,500 km of Range

The global automotive industry is going through an unprecedented transformation, and Changan Automobile — one of the Chinese manufacturers with the biggest international footprint — is positioning itself as a key player in this shift.

With a strategy that combines aggressive industrial expansion in Latin America, a strong commitment to electrification in all its forms, and the development of cutting‑edge technologies like solid‑state batteries, the company is building a solid and diversified global presence.

In recent weeks, Changan has announced a series of developments ranging from the inauguration of a new production line in Brazil and the launch of updated models in Mexico, to the upcoming deployment of its innovative “Golden Bell” battery and the arrival of new electrified versions of its successful Deepal S05 model — all while keeping an eye on hydrogen by 2027.

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Changan’s Record‑breaking Bet on Brazil

Latin America has become a fundamental pillar of Changan‘s global strategy, and Brazil is the epicenter of this offensive. On March 26, the company, together with its local partner CAOA, inaugurated a new, highly automated production line at the Anápolis plant in the state of Goiás.

The ceremony was attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and the Chinese Ambassador to Brazil, Zhu Qingqiao — a milestone in the commercial and technological relationship between the two countries.

This event is not an isolated move. It is the culmination of a first phase and the beginning of a new cycle of large‑scale investment. Changan and CAOA launched a new investment cycle of $950 million for 2026‑2028, adding to the $570 million already invested since 2023. That brings total investment in the Anápolis plant to $1.52 billion, with an installed capacity to produce 90,000 units per year.

“For Changan, Brazil is not just a place to invest, but a land in which we are committed to building a long‑term future,” said Zhu Huarong, President of China Changan Automobile Group, during the ceremony.

The first vehicle off this new production line was the Changan UNI‑T SUV, a model that symbolizes the integration of global and local capabilities. The UNI‑T is the result of three years of collaboration between 200 Chinese and Brazilian engineers, and has undergone rigorous testing — 200,000 kilometers across Brazil’s diverse geography and climates — to ensure durability and efficiency.

At the heart of this development is the advanced 1.5 Turbo GDi BlueCore Flex engine, a powertrain designed by Changan and calibrated by CAOA to run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline, taking advantage of Brazil’s biofuel tradition. The UNI‑T combines global engineering with local innovations, such as a fully localized Portuguese voice control system and a connected cabin, offering an experience tailored to Brazilian drivers.

Carlos Alberto de Oliveira Andrade Filho, Co‑President of CAOA, stated: “The UNI‑T represents much more than a new model. It demonstrates that Brazil can consolidate itself as a global hub for high‑tech automotive engineering and production.”

This investment focuses on the digitization of assembly lines and workforce training, in support of Brazil’s federal MOVER program. Based on Flex‑Fuel and HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) technology, Changan plans to introduce a full range of hybrid and electrified versions, strengthening local supply chains and R&D. Additionally, the company expects to open more than 60 dealerships in 2026 to expand its commercial network in the country.

Mexico, A Boiling Market

Parallel to its expansion in Brazil, Changan is intensifying its presence in Mexico — another strategic market in the region. This month, the company launched its “Global Testing Season” in the country, an event that brought together more than 150 distributors, investors, and media for a 287‑kilometer test drive across the Yucatán Peninsula, on a route connecting Cancún to Playa del Carmen, demonstrating vehicle performance on highways, coastal roads, and rural roads.

The event served as a platform for the debut of four fully renewed models in the Mexican market: the Changan Alsvin PLUS sedan and the CS35 MAX, new CS55 PLUS, and CS75 PLUS SUVs. These vehicles, powered by the BlueCore 3.0 engine and a 7‑speed DCT transmission, stand out for their balance of performance and comfort.

In particular, the new CS55 PLUS and CS75 PLUS incorporate advanced safety systems, including an ADAS system with 12 intelligent functions such as Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), as well as a 540° camera and a 37‑inch triple screen for an immersive digital experience.

Changan‘s commitment to the Mexican market goes beyond product launches. The company has recorded impressive growth, with a 184% sales increase in Mexico during 2025, and more than 56% across Latin America.

To support this growing demand and improve after‑sales service, Changan put into operation at the beginning of 2026 a new spare parts warehouse of over 8,000 square meters, which significantly improves parts supply and customer service.

“Golden Bell” to Arrive in 2026

The future of electric mobility is closely linked to the evolution of batteries, and Changan is determined to lead this technological race. The company has officially confirmed that it will begin test installations of its “Golden Bell” (Jinzhongzhao) solid‑state batteries before the third quarter of 2026, with plans to start mass production the following year.

The specifications of this battery are nothing short of revolutionary. “Golden Bell” boasts an energy density of 400 Wh/kg — a figure that doubles or even triples that of current conventional lithium‑ion batteries. Thanks to this high density, Changan claims that vehicles equipped with this technology will be able to achieve a range exceeding 1,500 kilometers on a single charge.

That range would completely eliminate so‑called “range anxiety” for most drivers, bringing electric vehicles closer to the practicality of combustion cars.

In addition to energy density and range, Changan has improved the safety of this battery by 70% through the implementation of an AI‑powered remote diagnostic system. This system constantly monitors the battery’s status, predicting and preventing potential failures before they occur.

The “Golden Bell” battery was originally presented in November 2023 as part of a family of eight cell variants, ranging from liquid batteries to semi‑solid and solid‑state batteries. The brand has a planned production capacity of 150 GWh once at full scale.

Deepal S05: Plug‑in Hybrid with 1,000 km of Range

While the world awaits the arrival of solid‑state batteries, Changan continues to expand its electrified vehicle offering with current technologies. The brand presented a new plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) version of its successful Deepal S05 crossover, which will be launched in the European market in May 2026.

This new model, called “Ultra Hybrid” by the company, combines a 1.5‑liter gasoline engine with 79 horsepower and a 234‑horsepower electric motor, achieving a combined power of 258 horsepower.

Equipped with an 18.4 kWh battery, the vehicle offers an all‑electric range of approximately 100 kilometers — ideal for daily urban commuting. But its main appeal lies in the total combined range of up to 1,000 kilometers.

This plug‑in hybrid configuration allows drivers to enjoy the efficiency and smoothness of an electric vehicle in the city, without worrying about range on long trips thanks to the backup of the combustion engine.

The Deepal S05 PHEV also supports DC fast charging of up to 55 kW, allowing the battery to recharge from 30% to 80% in just 15 minutes, and includes V2L (Vehicle‑to‑Load) functionality, which lets the car’s battery power external devices.

Changan Bets on Hydrogen

In a move that demonstrates its multifaceted vision of sustainable mobility, Changan is not only focusing on solid‑state batteries and plug‑in hybrids — it is also advancing hydrogen fuel cell technology. Through its Deepal brand, the company has already begun commercializing such a system in the SL03 model, and is already working on a more advanced second generation.

The key achievement of its current system is an efficiency increase of more than 10% compared to industry standards. Changan‘s hydrogen vehicles can travel more than 700 km on the CLTC (China Light‑Duty Vehicle Test Cycle) cycle and refuel much faster than conventional electric cars.

Looking ahead to 2027, Changan has ambitious plans. The company is working on developing a new generation of hydrogen passenger cars that will be more affordable and technologically advanced. The main focus of this second generation is cost reduction — the main barrier to mass adoption of this technology, both in fuel cells and hydrogen storage systems.

It is important to note that Changan does not see hydrogen as a substitute for battery electric vehicles, but as an ideal complement, especially for long‑distance travel where battery charging infrastructure may be limited.

With this dual strategy (battery electric and hydrogen), Changan is positioning itself to cover a broader spectrum of sustainable mobility needs than most of its competitors.

The Conversation Continues

Through its stops in Mexico City, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile, Latam Mobility will continue to promote a collaborative approach to accelerate the transition to cleaner, more efficient, and more inclusive transportation systems, positioning Latin America as a relevant player in sustainable mobility at the global level.

Be part of the movement that is accelerating Latin America’s energy and urban transformation. If you would like to learn more about how to participate and positioning options, click here.