What is the history of Changan Automobile?
2 Answers
History of Changan Automobile: 1. Origin of Changan: The predecessor of Changan Automobile was the Shanghai Arsenal, established in December 1862 (the first year of the Tongzhi reign in the Qing Dynasty) by Li Hongzhang, an initiator of the Westernization Movement, who commissioned the British officer Halliday Macartney and Chinese official Liu Zuoyu to set it up in a temple outside Songjiang, Shanghai. 2. Organizational Adjustments: Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Changan Automobile") was established with Changan Automobile (Group) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Changan Group") as the independent sponsor, contributing its operational net assets related to mini-vehicle and engine production and its equity in Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd. On July 1, 2009, the parent company of Changan Automobile, China South Industries Automobile Co., Ltd. ("South Automobile"), was renamed China Changan Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (referred to as "China Changan"). 4. Corporate Cooperation: On September 4, 2018, Changan Automobile reached an agreement with Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan and Suzuki (China) Investment Co., Ltd. to complete the equity transfer by the end of 2018. Changan Suzuki will transition from a Sino-Japanese joint venture to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Changan Automobile, marking the complete withdrawal of Suzuki from the Chinese market.
When I was a child, I often heard my elders talk about the history of Changan Automobile. It can be traced back to the Shanghai Arsenal in 1862, when it was just an ordnance factory. After the founding of New China, it transformed into a military equipment enterprise and didn't start experimenting with Jeep-like vehicles until 1958, which was quite interesting. After the 1980s, Changan truly seized the opportunity, manufacturing micro vehicles that became popular in both urban and rural areas. We rural folks used Changan SC6350 mini vans for transportation, which were extremely practical. Later, it formed a joint venture with Ford, and after 2000, its own-brand SUVs like the CS series became wildly popular, turning into a shining example of domestic products. I think its history is a microcosm of China's automotive industry, evolving from rudimentary to high-end, with each step being quite challenging, yet making it easier for ordinary people to own cars.
