Changfeng Motor
Chinese automaker associated with military-derived utility vehicles, Mitsubishi-based SUVs and pickups, and the Leopaard brand.
Last updated November 1, 2026
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Overview
Changfeng Motor was a Chinese automobile manufacturer whose origins lay in a military-equipment repair facility connected with the People's Liberation Army. The company developed from No. 7319 Factory and initially concentrated on utility vehicles, light trucks and sport-utility vehicles rather than mass-market passenger cars. Its early manufacturing activities included licensed production of Beijing BJ2020 vehicles, while its later product identity became closely associated with Mitsubishi-derived vehicles and the Chinese Leopaard, or Liebao, brand. Changfeng began producing SUVs based on Mitsubishi Pajero designs in the 1990s. From 1995 onward, it manufactured licensed Mitsubishi vehicles for both civilian and military applications. These products included Pajero-related SUVs, as well as pickup models sold under names such as Fine and Flying. Vehicles sold under Changfeng's own Liebao name used the Chinese word for cheetah; the marque was subsequently rendered in English as Leopaard. The brand's range was centered on affordable SUVs, crossovers and utility vehicles, including the Feiteng, Q6, CS6, CS7, CS9, CS10, Mattu and Coupe. Changfeng also introduced electric derivatives such as the C5EV and CS9EV. For much of its history, Changfeng operated mainly in the commercial and government-oriented vehicle market. Its background in military equipment and light trucks helped it supply police, military and other Chinese state agencies. Reference material indicates that government-related customers accounted for a substantial majority of sales around 2008. The company nevertheless sought to broaden its civilian presence through new passenger-car projects, concept vehicles, an attempted compact hatchback joint venture with mobile-phone company Bird Technology, and appearances at international motor shows, including the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The corporate structure changed substantially during the late 2000s and early 2010s. In December 2009, Hunan Changfeng Motor announced a change of name to GAC Changfeng Motor. Guangzhou Automobile Group, previously a minority shareholder, increased its control after a prolonged restructuring process. Changfeng Group and Mitsubishi Motors disposed of their respective holdings in 2011, and GAC subsequently obtained control. The transaction resulted in Changfeng's delisting from the Shanghai Stock Exchange on March 20, 2012. GAC and Mitsubishi later formed GAC Mitsubishi Motors. In 2012, that joint venture took over the Xing Sha factory, supply chain, distribution channel and marketing capabilities associated with GAC Changfeng. Separately, Changfeng Group pursued a return to vehicle manufacturing through Hunan Liebao Automobile and related operations, preserving the Leopaard identity outside the original corporate structure. The former Changfeng industrial footprint included assembly operations in Changsha, Yongzhou and Anhui, with component production in Hengyang and Huizhou. Changfeng exported vehicles from 2006 onward, although international sales were described as limited compared with its domestic business. The company and its successor operations faced increasing pressure from weak sales and competition in China's SUV market. Hunan Leopaard Motors was reported to have declared bankruptcy in 2021, following earlier assessments that the business could become insolvent because of declining sales. Changfeng Motor is therefore best understood as a historically significant Chinese utility-vehicle manufacturer whose operations and brands were reorganized through GAC, Mitsubishi-related ventures and later Leopaard entities rather than as a continuing independent automaker.
History
Changfeng Motor originated as No. 7319 Factory, a small facility associated with the repair of military equipment. Before becoming a conventional automobile manufacturer, it operated as a commercial affiliate connected with the People's Liberation Army. The company entered vehicle production in 1988, building sport-utility vehicles based on Beijing BJ2020 designs. In 1996, the business changed its name to Changfeng Auto Manufacturing. The company subsequently established a long-running technical and commercial relationship with Mitsubishi Motors. Changfeng began producing Mitsubishi Pajero-based vehicles in 1995, supplying both civilian and military users. Its manufacturing portfolio focused on light trucks, pickups and SUVs. Some Pajero-derived products were sold under the Mitsubishi name in China, while related variants were marketed under Changfeng's Liebao name. Liebao means cheetah in Chinese and was later transliterated as Leopaard. The company also produced Mitsubishi-derived pickups known as the Fine and Flying. Changfeng's customers historically included Chinese state agencies, police and military organizations. Around 2008, government-related buyers reportedly represented close to seventy percent of sales. The company began exporting vehicles in 2006 to Russia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, although those operations remained modest compared with its domestic business. During the late 2000s, Changfeng sought to expand beyond its established utility-vehicle base. It displayed a concept vehicle at the 2009 Auto Shanghai and revealed the CP2 sedan at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show. It also participated in a short-lived three-year venture with Bird Technology to develop the Kylin, a compact hatchback named after the qilin, a creature from Chinese mythology. The Kylin was included in Changfeng's presentation at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. On December 25, 2009, the company announced that it would change its corporate name to GAC Changfeng Motor, effective December 30. The change occurred during negotiations involving Guangzhou Automobile Group and Mitsubishi. A 2010 memorandum proposed a new equal joint venture between GAC and Mitsubishi based on a restructuring of Changfeng. Mitsubishi ultimately sold its entire stake in 2011 rather than increasing its holding to fifty percent. Changfeng Group also sold its interest, allowing GAC to become the controlling shareholder in 2012. The acquisition led to Changfeng's delisting from the Shanghai Stock Exchange on March 20, 2012. In October of that year, GAC and Mitsubishi announced GAC Mitsubishi Motors, which assumed the Xing Sha factory, supply chain, distribution channel and marketing know-how connected with GAC Changfeng. At the same time, Changfeng Group sought to re-enter vehicle manufacturing through Hunan Liebao Automobile and related production operations in Anhui and Hunan. These activities continued the Leopaard brand under a reorganized corporate setting. Changfeng's industrial facilities included assembly plants in Changsha and Yongzhou in Hunan and in Yangzi, Anhui, together with component factories in Hengyang and Huizhou. The Leopaard portfolio expanded to include SUVs, crossovers and electric vehicles such as the Kylin, C5EV, Feiteng, Q6, CS6, CS7, CS9, CS9EV, CS10, Mattu and Coupe. However, the business faced declining demand and intense competition. Hunan Leopaard Motors was reported to have declared bankruptcy in July 2021, marking the failure of a major successor to Changfeng's consumer-vehicle operations. The Changfeng story consequently spans military-derived vehicle production, licensed Mitsubishi manufacturing, state-oriented utility vehicles, GAC-led restructuring and the eventual collapse of the Leopaard business.
- 2021
Leopaard successor reports bankruptcy
[1]Hunan Leopaard Motors was reported to have declared bankruptcy after prolonged sales difficulties.
- 2012
GAC control and stock-market delisting
[1]GAC took control of Changfeng, which was subsequently delisted from the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
- 2009
GAC Changfeng name announced
[1]The company announced that it would become GAC Changfeng Motor at the end of the year.
- 2008
Detroit Auto Show appearance
[1]Changfeng presented the Kylin hatchback as part of its Detroit Auto Show appearance.
- 2006
Exports begin
[1]Changfeng began exporting vehicles to markets including Russia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
- 1996
Company renamed Changfeng Auto Manufacturing
[1]The company adopted the Changfeng Auto Manufacturing name.
- 1995
Mitsubishi Pajero-based production starts
[1]Changfeng began producing licensed Mitsubishi Pajero-related vehicles for civilian and military applications.
- 1988
SUV production begins
[1]The organization began producing SUVs based on Beijing BJ2020 vehicles while operating from its military-equipment-repair origins.
Products and positioning
Value-oriented SUVs, off-road vehicles and light commercial vehicles, with a historic emphasis on government, military and commercial customers.
SUV · 1995
Mitsubishi Pajero-based SUVs
Changfeng's best-known early civilian products were licensed Mitsubishi Pajero-related SUVs. They were produced from the mid-1990s and sold in China under Mitsubishi branding as well as under Changfeng's own Liebao or Leopaard marque. The vehicles supported the company's traditional off-road, government and commercial positioning.
SUV
Leopaard Heijin'gang
The Heijin'gang was a Leopaard-branded SUV associated with Changfeng's Pajero-derived product lineage. It represented the company's emphasis on rugged styling, four-wheel-drive utility and relatively accessible pricing in China's SUV market.
SUV
Leopaard Q6
The Q6 was part of the Leopaard SUV range and continued the brand's focus on practical, utility-oriented vehicles. It belonged to the product family developed after Changfeng's corporate restructuring and was aimed primarily at the Chinese market.
SUV
Leopaard CS10
The CS10 was a Leopaard-branded SUV introduced during the marque's attempt to broaden its civilian passenger-vehicle presence. It formed part of a newer crossover-oriented range alongside models such as the CS9 and Mattu.
SUV and electric SUV
Leopaard CS9 and CS9EV
The CS9 was a compact Leopaard SUV, while the CS9EV was its electric variant. Together they reflected the brand's effort to move from traditional Mitsubishi-derived utility vehicles toward newer crossover and electrified products.
SUV
Leopaard Mattu
The Mattu was a later Leopaard SUV positioned within the brand's modern passenger-vehicle portfolio. It accompanied the CS-series vehicles and formed part of Changfeng's effort to compete in China's increasingly crowded urban-SUV segment.
electric vehicle
Leopaard C5EV
The C5EV was an electric vehicle associated with the Leopaard product line. Its inclusion in the portfolio showed the company's attempt to respond to the growth of new-energy vehicles while retaining the Leopaard brand architecture.
pickup truck
Fine and Flying pickups
Fine and Flying were Changfeng pickup variants derived from the company's Mitsubishi relationship. They extended Changfeng's traditional light-truck and utility-vehicle capabilities into the pickup segment for commercial and institutional users.
compact hatchback · 2008
Kylin
The Kylin was a compact hatchback developed during a short-lived joint venture with Bird Technology, a Chinese mobile-phone company. Named after the qilin of Chinese mythology, it represented an unsuccessful attempt to diversify Changfeng beyond SUVs and light commercial vehicles.
Controversies
2021
Leopaard CS9 electric vehicle recall
Hunan Leopaard Automobile Co., Ltd. and Anhui Leopaard Automobile Co., Ltd. recalled specified Leopaard CS9 electric vehicles from June 15, 2021, citing battery-pack defects that could lead to thermal runaway and fire. The companies said they would inspect and replace defective components free of charge.
2019
Brand decisions
2012
Transfer assets to GAC Mitsubishi MotorsM&ABackground
GAC and Mitsubishi established a new joint venture after the restructuring of Changfeng.
Action taken
GAC Mitsubishi Motors assumed the Xing Sha factory, supply chain, distribution network and marketing know-how associated with GAC Changfeng.
Aftermath
Changfeng's former operations became part of a broader GAC-Mitsubishi industrial structure, while the Leopaard brand continued through successor companies.
2011
Mitsubishi exits and GAC increases controlM&ABackground
A proposed equal GAC-Mitsubishi venture would have required Mitsubishi to raise its ownership in Changfeng, but the parties did not proceed on that basis.
Action taken
Mitsubishi sold its entire stake, while Changfeng Group also sold its holding, enabling GAC to become the controlling shareholder in 2012.
Aftermath
Changfeng was delisted and its industrial and commercial resources were reorganized around GAC Mitsubishi Motors and separate Leopaard-related entities.
2009
Adopt the GAC Changfeng corporate identityStrategyBackground
Changfeng was being restructured amid increasing involvement by Guangzhou Automobile Group and negotiations concerning a possible GAC-Mitsubishi venture.
Action taken
The company announced that its name would change from Hunan Changfeng Motor to GAC Changfeng Motor effective December 30, 2009.
Aftermath
The renaming preceded GAC's eventual control of the company and the transfer of important assets and channels to GAC Mitsubishi Motors.
Recent events
Leopaard CS9 electric vehicle recall[3]
Hunan Leopaard Automobile Co., Ltd. and Anhui Leopaard Automobile Co., Ltd. recalled specified Leopaard CS9 electric vehicles from June 15, 2021, citing battery-pack defects that could lead to thermal runaway and fire. The companies said they would inspect and replace defective components free of charge.
Sources3 sources
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