Overview GAC Changfeng Motor Co., Ltd. is a Chinese automobile manufacturer that originated as a branch of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The company primarily produced light trucks and SUVs. Historically, a majority of its sales were to Chinese state entities. Over the years, Changfeng has manufactured licensed Mitsubishi Pajero models under the Mitsubishi brand as well as its own variations under the “Lièbào” (Leopaard) brand. The company also produced pickup truck models and a compact hatchback named Kylin during a brief joint venture with Bird Technology.
History
Hunan Changfeng Motor Co. Era
Changfeng originated as No. 7319 Factory, a small repair facility for military equipment. In 1988, the company began producing SUVs, specifically license-built Beijing BJ2020s. The company was renamed Changfeng Auto Manufacturing in 1996. Initially, it functioned as a commercial affiliate of the PLA. In 1995, Changfeng started producing a licensed version of the 1991 Mitsubishi Pajero.
On December 25, 2009, Hunan Changfeng Motor Co. announced its official name change to GAC Changfeng Motor Co., Ltd., effective December 30, 2009.
GAC Changfeng Motor Co., Ltd. Era
Acquisition by GAC Group
Previously a minority shareholder with a 29% stake, Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Group) took control of Changfeng in 2012, completing a process that began in 2009. GAC had initially promised to turn Changfeng into a joint venture with Mitsubishi. Prior to the acquisition, Changfeng Group owned 22% of the company, while Mitsubishi held a 15% stake. These stakes were sold in 2011, and as a result, Changfeng was delisted from the Shanghai Stock Exchange on March 20, 2012.
During the acquisition process, Changfeng’s stock experienced extreme fluctuations, leading to its suspension from October 28, 2010, to sometime after March 17, 2011.
Bankruptcy
By July 2021, Hunan Leopaard Motors Co., Ltd. declared bankruptcy, following predictions from October 2019 that the company would collapse due to poor sales performance.
Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures
- GAC Mitsubishi Motors Co., Ltd.: Established in October 2012, this joint venture took over Changfeng’s Xing Sha Factory, supply chain, distribution channel, and marketing operations.
- Hunan Liebao Automobile Co., Ltd.: In 2012, Changfeng Group re-entered the vehicle industry, moving to a new headquarters in Changsha in January 2013 and forming this subsidiary to oversee the marketing and manufacturing of the Leopaard brand.
Products
Leopaard (Lièbào) Models
- Leopaard Kylin
- Leopaard C5EV
- Leopaard Feiteng
- Leopaard Q6
- Leopaard CT7
- Leopaard CS3 BEV (Bingge)
- Leopaard CS6
- Leopaard CS7
- Leopaard CS9/CS9EV
- Leopaard CS10
- Leopaard Mattu
- Leopaard Coupe
Passenger Cars
- The CP2 sedan was revealed at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show.
- A concept car was premiered at the 2009 Auto Shanghai event.
Mitsubishi Models
Changfeng manufactured licensed versions of Mitsubishi models for both civilian and military applications from 1995 until Mitsubishi exited its stake in the company in 2011.
Production Facilities Changfeng operated assembly plants in the following locations:
- Yangzi, Anhui Province
- Changsha and Yongzhou, Hunan Province
- Component factories in Hengyang, Hunan, and Huizhou, Guangdong
Exports While primarily a domestic automaker, Changfeng exported vehicles to Russia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa starting in 2006. However, these exports were limited in scale.
Sales Performance Between 2009 and 2011, Changfeng sold between 30,000 and 50,000 vehicles annually. As of 2008, around 70% of its sales were to Chinese state agencies, including the military, police, and government offices.
Conclusion Changfeng Motor played a crucial role in China’s automotive industry, especially in military and government vehicle supply. Following its acquisition by GAC and subsequent decline in sales, it was eventually phased out. However, its legacy lives on through the GAC Mitsubishi Motors Co., Ltd. joint venture and the now-defunct Leopaard brand.
