Following the collapse of the Bermaz-Changan agreement some time ago, there had been limited developments regarding Changan's entry into Malaysia.

However, recent speculation has indicated renewed progress, and it has now been confirmed that the Chinese carmaker is set to enter the market. The brand, identified among the leading Chinese automakers alongside Geely, BYD, and Chery, is expected to arrive in the third or fourth quarter of this year.

According to Changan management, as conveyed to writer Farid Awaludin during a familiarisation event in Chongqing, the rollout will begin with a general brand launch. Products from the group's portfolio of brands are expected to be introduced towards the end of the year and from 2027 onwards.

The product pipeline will include Changan, Nevo, and Deepal, all of which will be housed within the same showroom, while Avatr will operate from a standalone facility. The Lumin brand is not included in the plans, as it has been deemed unsuitable for the Malaysian market.

In terms of brand positioning, Changan will serve as the core brand, with Nevo positioned at a similar level but focusing exclusively on electric vehicles. Deepal will be positioned above these as a sportier offering, while Avatr - previously known as Changan Nio earlier in the decade - is being positioned as a premium brand within the group's portfolio.

For the Malaysian market, all models, with the exception of Avatr, will carry the 'Changan' name as a prefix, followed by the respective sub-brand. For example, the Nevo Q05 will be marketed as the Changan Nevo Q05. Avatr models will retain a distinct brand identity.

Models under consideration for Malaysia include several SUVs, such as the Changan CS55, Deepal S05 and S07, and Nevo Q05, as well as the Avatr 07 and Avatr 11. The Changan Hunter pick-up truck is also reported to be under evaluation. The company is targeting the Deepal S05 and Nevo Q05 as its primary volume models.

With regard to specific model configurations, the Changan CS55 is expected to be offered in both internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) variants. For the Hunter pick-up, only the range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) version - marketed in Thailand as the Deepal Hunter K50 - is being considered for Malaysia. The Hunter Plus displayed in the referenced images is a diesel variant, as the REEV version was not present at the test drive event.

Although the company operates a right-hand-drive (RHD) manufacturing facility in Thailand, following the launch of its Rayong assembly plant in May last year, its primary objective is to establish completely knocked down (CKD) local assembly for its models in Malaysia. However, specific models for localisation have not yet been identified.

No confirmation has been provided regarding whether the company will enter the market independently or through a local partnership, as previously intended. Industry sources have suggested a possible association with the Berjaya Group, although further clarity is expected in the coming months.