After an eight-month vacancy, Chongqing Changan Automobile Company Limited has finally appointed a new president. On December 13, the company’s board of directors officially named Zhao Fei as president, effective immediately, with his term lasting until the current board’s tenure ends. This decision fills the leadership gap left since April 11, when former president Wang Jun stepped down due to work reassignment, marking the end of a 246-day interim period.
Notably, Zhao Fei is no stranger to Changan. Earlier this year, on July 29, he was appointed as deputy party secretary, director, and general manager of China Changan Automobile Group, a newly established state-owned enterprise under the China Ordnance Equipment Group. With a career spanning nearly three decades at Changan, Zhao, born in 1974, holds a master’s degree in business administration and the title of senior engineer. He joined the company in 1996 after graduating from Chongqing University’s Automotive Engineering School, starting as an engine R&D technician and later playing a pivotal role in Changan’s transition from traditional fuel vehicles to new energy technologies.
Throughout his tenure, Zhao has held key positions, including director of Changan’s Engine Research Institute, executive vice president of Changan Ford, and chairman of Chenzhi Auto Technology Group. At Changan Ford, he spearheaded the localization and supply chain optimization of flagship models like the Ford Edge and Mondeo, reversing the joint venture’s sales decline. During his leadership at Chenzhi, he established a core R&D platform for new energy vehicles, advancing breakthroughs in solid-state batteries and 800V high-voltage systems.
This appointment follows a major restructuring earlier this year, when China Changan Automobile Group was spun off from its parent company and rebranded as Chenzhi Auto Technology Group, becoming a centrally administered state-owned enterprise alongside industry giants FAW and Dongfeng. This shift grants Changan greater autonomy in resource allocation and strategic decision-making but also demands a management framework befitting its new status.
Concurrently, Changan has undergone extensive executive reshuffles across its group, proprietary brands, and new energy divisions. In August, Ye Pei was appointed executive vice president overseeing manufacturing and supply chains, while Mi Mengdong took charge of marketing and sales as vice president. In September, Li Hongpeng, a veteran in the new energy sector, succeeded as Changan Ford’s top Chinese executive, alongside leadership adjustments at its EV brands, Deepal and Avatr.
Industry analysts note that Changan’s transition from a subsidiary to an independent state-owned enterprise requires a strategic shift from “follower” to “leader,” necessitating cohesive leadership across diverse business lines. The prolonged eight-month selection process reflects the board’s rigorous evaluation of candidates, prioritizing technical expertise, cross-sector coordination, joint venture management experience, and new energy operational capabilities.
**Challenges Ahead** Zhao Fei faces significant hurdles. While Changan’s total sales from January to November reached 2.66 million units, up 9.25% year-on-year—with proprietary brands accounting for 85%—its new energy subsidiaries remain unprofitable. Deepal and Avatr have shown sales growth but lag behind emerging competitors. Deepal reported cumulative losses of ¥12.5 billion since inception, including ¥1.03 billion in the first 10 months of 2025. Avatr, despite revenue growth, has yet to turn a profit.
Accelerating the new energy division’s development and improving subsidiary performance will be critical tests for Zhao’s leadership.
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