At the recent IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich, Chinese car maker Changan showed off its newest electric vehicles and tech as part of its plan to go global with South Africa firmly in its sights. With the slogan Changan, Sharing the Future, the company displayed its DEEPAL and AVATR cars at the Messe München and around the city.
The Deepal S05, an electric SUV with frameless doors and a modern design for smart, eco-friendly travel, was big news for Europe. Changan's booth talked about its smart mobility plan, which includes electric cars, smart driving and other tech from its DUBHE Plan 2.0. This plan is all about creating smart, low-emission transport.
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People got to see the company's progress in car tech and connectivity, giving them a preview of what's coming in future models. For South Africa, Changan's presence at the event means they're planning to invest for the long haul.
The new tech on display, like smart features, electric motors and a focus on R&D, will likely show up in models headed to local dealerships.
Marinus Venter, Country Manager for Jameel Motors South Africa, talked about what this means for the area: “What we saw in Munich gives a hint of what's possible for the cars we're bringing to South Africa. Changan's idea of mobility includes luxury, intelligence, and sustainability as standard. The Munich event backed up Changan's promise to be ‘Driven To Evolve’.
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“By showing off its engineering skills and New Energy Vehicle (NEV) innovations, the company is making promises to both European and South African drivers, who care about toughness, value, and smart design.” The show also featured models designed for new NEV markets. The Hunter REEV, a double-cab pickup already headed to South Africa, uses range-extended electric vehicle tech for local roads. The Deepal S05 REEV, planned for 2026, should offer advanced mobility without losing practicality.
When asked about South Africa’s charging stations, Venter said: “We're not too worried about charging stations. Our REEV tech gives you the feel of an electric car without needing public chargers. The range extender takes care of any worries about running out of power, making it a good option for South Africa.”
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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