China-based Changan Auto India-bound

Changan Auto started researching the Indian market only a few years ago – and this included visits to India and appointment of distributors. However, despite the late start, the company is likely to make its India entry in 2022-2023. The company will join MG Motor (SAIC) and Great Wall Motors, the latter of which just announced its entry into India.

One of Changan’s first models is set to be the 4.7m-long CS 75 Plus SUV. A newer version of the CS 75, the C-segment SUV is also Changan’s bestseller, which comes with multiple seating layouts and at least two engine options – a 1.5-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre petrol unit.

Additionally, there are talks of the CS 35 – Changan’s smallest SUV – making it to our shores as well. This SUV is a five-seater and measures to around 4.2m in length. The company may modify this SUV to suit Indian tastes better; this means reducing the SUV’s length to under 4m to help it qualify for a lower excise slab. Additionally, it will see tweaks to its interiors too, along with a long list of features.

Many Chinese OEMs, including Changan, have developed strong capabilities in EV technology, and that may offer another opportunity for them in India, as the government is betting on EVs as the future of mobility. Changan has also developed and demonstrated its capability in autonomous driving technology development. A few years ago, two of its autonomous driving cars did a 2,000km Chongqing-Beijing drive successfully.

The company has set up a liaison office in Delhi and has roped in G Sanjay – an auto industry professional who has had stints with major automotive manufacturers in India – to help build the commercial team.