- Nic Thomas, with Ford and Nissan experience, now leads Marketing, Sales & Service, Europe for Changan Automobile.
- Changan, a Chinese automaker, aims for a 100% EV and hybrid lineup by 2025, producing 2.3 million vehicles in 2022.
- Nic supports Changan’s ‘Vast Ocean’ plan, targeting global expansion, 60 new products, and 3,000 overseas sales outlets by 2030.
Changan is on a global expansion plan, and Nic Thomas is at the heart of European operations
Nic Thomas is a true automotive professional. He’s held major positions at Ford, and spent over 11 years with Nissan, where he rose to Marketing Director. Now, Nic has taken on the role of Head of Marketing, Sales & Service, Europe, for Changan Automobile.
Changan is a Chinese state-owned automaker whose growth has been fuelled by international partnerships with Ford, Mazda, and other major technology companies. The manufacturer is targeting a 100% EV and hybrid lineup by 2025. That puts the brand years ahead of China’s ICE ban in the mid 2030s.
The automaker has hit meteoric highs, having produced 2.3 million vehicles in 2022, producing a revenue of around £13.2 billion. Now, it’s joining many of its native peers on a global expansion effort, with EVs at the heart of the movement.
It’s growth is largely fuelled by extensive research and development, which has brought about countless technological innovations. Its advanced powertrains and hybrid transmissions have catapulted the brand into the sustainable transport sector.
Nic is set to be an essential part of Changan’s ‘Vast Ocean’ plan, unveiled in 2023. The plan’s targets include accelerating its production capacity globally, launching 60 global products, and exceeding 3,000 overseas sales outlets by 2030. Since then, the EU announced its tariffs on Chinese EV imports, though these are currently under scrutiny and debate until November.
Communication and positioning is key, especially as brands invest in entering new markets at speed. Nic’s work in developing the Changan brand to become a recognisable household name will be essential.
We wish Nic the best of luck in his new role, and in supporting the expansion of a major brand to new markets.
