(Yicai) June 26 -- Changan Automobile will establish a European unit this year to explore building a local factory, with the Chinese carmaker aiming to sell 300,000 vehicles on the continent by 2030.

Changan Auto will debut its new energy vehicle brands Deepal, Changan Qiyuan, and Avatr in Europe this year and launch six models by 2027, according to the company's recent investor relations records.

Chongqing-based Changan Auto began its global strategy to stick to overseas business and build factories abroad last year, it noted while unveiling its latest plans for markets outside China.

Changan Auto will focus on fuel vehicles in Central and South America, aiming to sell 200,000 units by 2030 and starting from Mexico where it set up a sales unit in February. In Central and East Africa, it will focus on fuel cars and NEVs, with the same sales goal. It will also establish a unit and build a central warehouse for spare parts in the Middle East this year.

Regarding Southeast Asia, Changan Auto's Thai plant in Rayong, with an annual output of 100,000 units, will go into production next year and raise its capacity to 200,000 units a year later, targeting global right-hand drive markets. It also creates a localized procurement opportunity of over CNY30 billion (USD4.1 billion) by producing autos.

Changan Auto will bring the Avatr 11, the Changan Qiyuan E07, and the Lumin models to Thailand this year and launch six passenger cars by the end of next year. It will also enter the Australian and New Zealand markets this year and aims to sell 300,000 units by 2030 in Southeast Asia and these two countries.

Europe, the United States, and many other regions and countries have recently announced increased tariffs on NEV imports from China.

Chinese automakers should speed up their global business layout, according to the secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association.

With China exporting more vehicles, the choice of producing autos in the target markets becomes inevitable, industry insiders pointed out. Such moves can improve the products based on local user needs and laws and regulations, create new jobs, generate tax revenue, and cut the trade barrier risk, they added.

Hozon Auto, Geely Automobile Holdings, and Wuling Motors have also built Southeast Asian plants. Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology will rely on the European factories of its owner Stellantis, while SAIC Motor, BYD, and Chery Automobile have announced plans to set up plants in Europe.

Editor: Maritn Kadiev