/ News

Inchcape signs on as the new distributor of Changan Philippines

In yet another twist for the auto industry in the Philippines, Changan has announced that they will partner with a different distributor, Inchcape.

Earl Lee on Aug 25, 2023

The twists and turns of the road mimic what we’ve been seeing in 2023. A lot of things have changed over the course of the year, and it’s been quite a ride with new brands entering the market and making a splash, and others changing hands.

Changan vehicles were formerly distributed by Changan Motor Philippines, Inc. (CMPI). Now, Changan International is moving forward with Inchcape Philippines. Prior to this, rumors were circulating about another company taking the reigns from CMPI within the last few months. Now, it seems that those rumors held true, seeing as CMPI went silent for quite some time. Though, it turns out that the rumor mill churned true.

Now, Inchcape has been making headlines as of late, having acquired a majority stake in a joint venture with the CATS Group of Companies. With the Changan deal, the company will expand its portfolio of brands, which already include Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda, and others like Harley-Davidson.

“With global partnerships firmly embedded in Changan’s history, this agreement with Inchcape is a landmark step in Changan’s mission to pioneer auto culture and benefit human life. In charting the future of mobility, Changan is focused on a new-energy strategy which counts the completion of three major new special energy platforms and the complete electrification of all products among its goals. Combined with Inchcape’s excellence in market expansion and distribution, it is our shared ambition that more Filipinos enjoy the lasting safety that Changan automobile can provide.”

Tom Yin
General Manager, Changan International

Changan International is excited to go with Inchcape. All 25 dealerships will now be under Inchcape, and the model range that we can expect from Changan in the country will still include all of the crossovers and sedans that have made it as popular as it is today. These include the CS35 Plus, CS55 Plus, and also the UNI-T and UNI-K crossovers. According to Changan International, we may also expect new-energy vehicles which may include hybrids and electric vehicles.

“We are pleased to join hands with Changan, a leading OEM to distribute their extensive and high-quality vehicle portfolio in the Philippines. This is an exciting milestone for us as we see strong growth potential in the Philippines and opportunities for shared success with Changan. This is a great example of our strategy in action, accelerating the performance of our mobility company partners, and Inchcape being the automotive distributor of choice.”

Alex Hammett
Managing Director, Inchcape Philippines