Deepal
Corporate brand
UnclaimedChinese new-energy vehicle brand owned by Changan Automobile.
Last updated October 12, 2026
Overview
Deepal is a Chinese new-energy vehicle brand and automobile manufacturing business owned by Changan Automobile. Its Chinese name, 深蓝汽车, is commonly translated as Changan Shenlan or Deepal, with the English brand identity introduced as part of its separation from Changan's broader corporate product organization. The brand focuses on battery-electric vehicles and extended-range electric vehicles, covering sedans, sport utility vehicles and, in selected markets, pickup-derived products. Deepal's institutional origins lie in Changan's earlier new-energy activities. In April 2008, Changan Automobile and Chongqing Science and Technology Venture Capital Co., Ltd. jointly established Changan New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. Changan later reorganized its new-energy capabilities: on December 8, 2017, it created a dedicated New Energy Division to coordinate product planning, vehicle engineering, powertrain development, procurement and sales. Between January 2020 and March 2022, the earlier company and the division were consolidated into Changan New Energy Automobile Technology. During that period, twelve investors participated in two funding rounds, temporarily reducing Changan Automobile's ownership to 40.66 percent. The business announced its first major model under the Changan Shenlan identity, the vehicle later known as the SL03 and previously developed under the C385 codename. Changan restored majority control at the end of 2022 by acquiring a 10.34 percent interest from two shareholders, raising its ownership of Changan New Energy Automobile Technology to 51 percent. In 2023, the business was renamed Deepal Automobile Technology and the English name Deepal became the principal international-facing identity. Although it is associated with the Changan group, Deepal is positioned as an independently operated new-energy vehicle brand rather than simply as a conventional Changan model series. The SL03, launched in 2022, established Deepal's initial market presence. The brand subsequently broadened its range with the S07 midsize SUV, the G318 SUV, the L07 sedan, the S05 compact SUV and larger or newer models such as the S09 and L06. Depending on model and market, the vehicles use battery-electric or extended-range electric powertrains. Deepal's vehicles are built around Changan's EPA new-energy vehicle architecture, divided into EPA0, EPA1 and EPA2 categories. The platform strategy is intended to support multiple body styles and powertrain configurations while allowing commonality in electrical systems, vehicle software and manufacturing. International expansion began with a November 2023 introduction in Thailand, where the L07 and S07 were initially imported from China. Changan has also been constructing a production facility in Thailand, with the first phase reported as scheduled to begin production in the first quarter of 2025. Export activity has included models such as the E07 and Hunter K50, which are rebadged or market-adapted versions of vehicles associated with Changan's Nevo range. Deepal therefore represents Changan's effort to establish a recognizable global electric-vehicle marque while retaining the engineering, manufacturing and corporate resources of its parent group. The brand's positioning centers on technology-oriented, relatively mainstream new-energy mobility rather than luxury specialization. Its portfolio combines conventional sedan and SUV formats with range-extender technology, a configuration intended to address charging-infrastructure limitations and consumer range concerns in markets where pure battery-electric adoption is still developing. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate listed company, a standalone founder, an independent stock ticker or a definitive corporate website for the Deepal brand.
History
Deepal developed from Changan Automobile's long-running effort to build a dedicated new-energy vehicle business. The institutional starting point was Changan New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., established in April 2008 through a joint investment by Changan Automobile and Chongqing Science and Technology Venture Capital Co., Ltd. Changan subsequently intensified its organizational focus on electrification by creating a New Energy Division on December 8, 2017. That division brought product planning, vehicle development, powertrain engineering, procurement and sales into a more coordinated structure. From January 2020 through March 2022, Changan's earlier new-energy company and the New Energy Division were consolidated into Changan New Energy Automobile Technology. The restructuring was accompanied by two funding rounds involving twelve investors. Changan's ownership temporarily declined to 40.66 percent, although the company remained the central industrial sponsor. During this phase, the business announced a vehicle codenamed C385 under the Changan Shenlan name. The model entered production and sales as the SL03 in 2022, becoming the first major product associated with the future Deepal brand. At the end of 2022, Changan Automobile bought a 10.34 percent interest from two shareholders and increased its stake to 51 percent, regaining majority control. In 2023, Changan Shenlan adopted Deepal as its English name and the operating company was renamed Deepal Automobile Technology. The change created a more distinct brand identity for the business while preserving its ownership and technical relationship with Changan Automobile. Deepal was described as operating independently within the Changan group, rather than as a conventional Changan submodel designation. The product range expanded after the SL03. The S07 added a midsize SUV, while the G318 extended the range into a more rugged SUV format. The L07 represented a technology-oriented sedan variant associated with Huawei technology, and the S05 addressed the compact SUV segment. Later products listed for the brand include the L06 and S09. Deepal's vehicles use Changan's EPA new-energy vehicle platform family, which is divided into EPA0, EPA1 and EPA2. The architecture supports both battery-electric and extended-range electric configurations, allowing the brand to address different charging conditions and customer preferences. Deepal began internationalization in Thailand in November 2023 with the L07 and S07. These first Thai-market vehicles were imported from China. Changan has also been developing a Thai manufacturing facility, with the first production phase reported as scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. Export offerings have included the E07 and Hunter K50, which are associated with rebadged or market-adapted Changan Nevo products. This export strategy indicates an attempt to use a common group engineering base while presenting Deepal as a dedicated international electric-vehicle marque. The brand's historical significance is therefore tied to three changes: the formal consolidation of Changan's new-energy resources, the launch of a dedicated product family beginning with the SL03, and the subsequent creation of Deepal as a more independent brand identity. Available reference material does not establish a separate public listing, a standalone founder or a distinct ownership group outside Changan Automobile.
- 2023
Deepal becomes the international brand identity
[1]The Changan Shenlan brand adopted the English name Deepal, and its operating company was renamed Deepal Automobile Technology.
- 2023
Thailand market entry
[1]Deepal introduced the L07 and S07 in Thailand as imported vehicles.
- 2022
SL03 launches
[1]The SL03 became Deepal's first major production model after development under the C385 codename.
- 2022
Changan regains majority ownership
[1]Changan increased its ownership of the operating company to 51 percent by acquiring a 10.34 percent stake from two shareholders.
- 2020
New-energy operations begin consolidation
[1]Changan's existing new-energy company and its New Energy Division entered a consolidation process that ultimately produced Changan New Energy Automobile Technology.
- 2017
Changan creates a dedicated New Energy Division
[1]Changan centralized new-energy product planning, vehicle development, powertrain engineering, procurement and sales in a dedicated division.
- 2008
Changan establishes an early new-energy vehicle company
[1]Changan Automobile and Chongqing Science and Technology Venture Capital Co., Ltd. jointly established Changan New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd.
Products and positioning
Technology-focused mainstream new-energy vehicle brand offering battery-electric and extended-range electric sedans and SUVs, with international expansion supported by Changan Automobile.
Midsize sedan · 2022
Deepal SL03
The SL03 is Deepal's first major production model and the vehicle originally developed under the C385 codename. It established the brand in the midsize sedan segment and is offered in battery-electric and extended-range electric forms. The model represents the transition from Changan's internally organized new-energy operations to a distinct Deepal product identity.
Midsize SUV · 2023
Deepal S07
The S07 is a midsize sport utility vehicle available with battery-electric or extended-range electric propulsion, depending on market. It became one of Deepal's early volume-oriented models and was among the first vehicles used to establish the brand in Thailand, where it was initially supplied from China.
Midsize SUV · 2023
Deepal G318
The G318 is a midsize SUV that broadens Deepal's range beyond conventional urban sedan and crossover applications. It is listed with battery-electric and extended-range electric configurations and contributes a more robust SUV-oriented product to the brand's EPA-based portfolio.
Midsize sedan · 2024
Deepal L07
The L07 is a midsize sedan associated with a Huawei technology-focused version of the SL03. It was introduced in Thailand alongside the S07 in November 2023 and initially imported from China. The model extends Deepal's sedan offering while emphasizing connected and technology-oriented equipment.
Compact SUV · 2024
Deepal S05
The S05 is a compact SUV positioned below the S07 in Deepal's range. It is listed in battery-electric and extended-range electric forms and expands the brand's coverage of the mainstream compact crossover segment.
Full-size SUV · 2025
Deepal S09
The S09 is a full-size SUV listed as an extended-range electric model. It represents Deepal's move into a larger vehicle class and extends the brand's range beyond compact and midsize passenger vehicles.
Midsize sedan · 2025
Deepal L06
The L06 is a midsize sedan listed with battery-electric and plug-in or extended-range electric configurations. It forms part of Deepal's newer sedan generation and continues the brand's use of multiple electrified powertrain formats.
Midsize SUV · 2024
Deepal E07
The E07 is an export-market midsize SUV described as a rebadged Changan Nevo E07. It illustrates Deepal's use of group-developed products to build an international range without creating an entirely separate vehicle architecture for every market.
Pickup truck · 2024
Deepal Hunter K50
The Hunter K50 is an export-only pickup truck associated with the Changan Nevo Hunter K50. Its inclusion extends Deepal's international product coverage beyond passenger cars and SUVs.
Controversies
2026
Deepal chairman responds to doubts that L06 MRC suspension '300万同款' claim is exaggerated marketing
After Ferrari owners and netizens questioned whether a roughly 150,000-yuan car could really carry suspension technology from cars costing about 3 million yuan, accusing Deepal of clout-chasing, word games and exaggerated marketing over the 2027 L06's magnetorheological suspension (MRC), Deepal Auto chairman Deng Chenghao posted on social media that such doubts had existed since pre-sale but the facts can withstand scrutiny, affirmed the 'same type' claim, said the MRC system took four years to develop, and invited everyone to conduct real-world comparison tests.
2025
Brand decisions
2023
Creation of the Deepal brand identityStrategyBackground
Changan sought a distinct identity for its expanding new-energy vehicle business and product portfolio.
Action taken
The Changan Shenlan name was presented internationally as Deepal, and the operating company was renamed Deepal Automobile Technology.
Aftermath
Deepal began operating as an independently positioned brand within the Changan group.
2023
Initial international expansion into ThailandStrategyBackground
Deepal began testing an international market while Changan developed local manufacturing capacity in Thailand.
Action taken
Deepal introduced the L07 and S07 in Thailand using vehicles imported from China.
Aftermath
The launch established Thailand as an early overseas market and preceded planned local production.
2022
Changan restores majority controlM&ABackground
Funding rounds involving outside investors had reduced Changan Automobile's ownership of Changan New Energy Automobile Technology to 40.66 percent.
Action taken
Changan acquired a 10.34 percent interest from two shareholders, raising its ownership to 51 percent.
Aftermath
The transaction returned the new-energy vehicle business to Changan majority control before the later Deepal rebranding.
Recent events
- 2023
Deepal identity introduced and operating company renamed[1]
Other
The Changan Shenlan brand adopted the English name Deepal, while Changan New Energy Automobile Technology was renamed Deepal Automobile Technology.
- 2023
Deepal enters Thailand with the L07 and S07[1]
Product launch
Deepal introduced the L07 sedan and S07 SUV in Thailand. The vehicles were initially imported from China as Changan developed local production capacity.
- 2022
Changan New Energy announces the C385, later marketed as the SL03[1]
Product launch
Changan's consolidated new-energy vehicle business announced its first model under the emerging Changan Shenlan identity. The vehicle was later launched as the Deepal SL03.
- 2022
Changan restores majority ownership of the new-energy vehicle business[1]
M&A · Other
Changan Automobile acquired a 10.34 percent interest from two shareholders, increasing its ownership of Changan New Energy Automobile Technology from 40.66 percent to 51 percent.
Sources6 sources
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