In a significant move reshaping China’s automotive industry, EV Changan’s subsidiary, Deepal Automobile Technology Co., Ltd., has acquired the former Beijing Hyundai Motor Company plant in Chongqing. The deal involves a purchase price of around $228 million and marks an important step for domestic EV brands as they continue to expand their presence within the country.
The sprawling facility originally broke ground back in 2015 with plans to produce up to 300,000 vehicles annually. However, it has been sitting idle since December 2021 following a series of unsuccessful sales attempts that saw the price drop from $517 million down to its final sale figure. Despite this, Deepal remains tight-lipped about immediate production plans for the factory but has hinted at future opportunities.
Deepal’s acquisition adds another strategic asset to their portfolio alongside facilities in Nanjing and Beijing. The company is currently seeing strong sales momentum, with October figures showing 36,792 units sold—a 57.1% increase year-over-year for the period from January to October. A major contributor has been the Deepal S05 crossover SUV which surpassed 20,000 global sales in a single month.
This acquisition aligns with Changan’s broader strategy of enhancing its production capacity across various brands. Industry insiders view this move as indicative of an ongoing trend where Chinese automakers are taking over idle joint-venture factories to bolster their domestic manufacturing capabilities. As such, it represents not just a win for Deepal but also a testament to the evolving dynamics within China’s automotive sector.
As we reported earlier in our analysis on Hyundai’s Santa Fe EREV production preparations, this move further underscores the strategic shifts taking place within the industry. With Changan Deepal now expanding into a facility previously operated by Hyundai, it’s clear that these changes are reshaping the competitive landscape.
The recent acquisition also echoes our previous coverage of Changan taking over another former Hyundai factory in Chongqing earlier this year. This pattern highlights a broader trend where domestic brands are capitalizing on opportunities presented by the exit of international players from certain markets, signaling both challenges and new possibilities for industry growth.
