Changan is changing its European strategy, moving beyond an all-electric offering to sell plug-in hybrids as well. The Deepal S05 compact SUV is now available as a PHEV in markets including Germany, Spain and the UK; the company has also announced a PHEV version of the Deepal 07 for 2026. Changan had initially planned to bring only battery-electric vehicles to Europe, according to its European powertrain chief, Ken Pendlebury.
The shift comes as Europe’s plug-in hybrid market grows. Dataforce figures cited in the report put sales at more than 1.1 million units through September 2026, up 23% year on year. Chinese brands accounted for 32% of the market, compared with 12% a year earlier; their combined share reached 46% in September, while European manufacturers held 39%. BYD, Jaecoo and another Chinese brand were the leading sellers.
Changan sold 9,656 vehicles in Europe during the first nine months of its first full year there. The Deepal S05 was its best-selling model, with most buyers choosing the BEV. In Spain, however, its PHEV version recorded 428 sales in the previous month, ahead of 348 for the electric version. The PHEV pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an 18-kWh battery, offering 100 km of electric range. Its main electric motor produces 168 kW, with system output of 188 kW. The EU is set to limit imports of Chinese hybrids to 350,000 vehicles a year from December 1.