Changan CEO: Car sales no longer main profit source, ecosystem key

Changan CEO announces at 2026 forum: profit now comes from services and software, not just vehicles. Learn how brands adapt to digital ecosystems.
The automotive industry is undergoing a fundamental shift: selling cars is no longer the primary source of profit. Changan CEO Zhao Fei made this statement at the 2026 Intelligent Electric Vehicle Development Forum. According to him, the market is moving from competition between individual products to competition between ecosystems. This means manufacturers must generate revenue not just from vehicle sales, but also from services, software, and digital offerings.Interestingly, demand for different vehicle types remains strong: approximately 70 million buyers still choose internal combustion engine cars, while 30 million opt for electric vehicles and hybrids. This confirms that the transition to the new model will be gradual. Changan is already showing solid growth, with sales exceeding 270,000 vehicles in March and exports surpassing 100,000 units.The Deepal and Avatr brands are expanding particularly quickly, demonstrating high interest in new technology-focused models. The key takeaway is that automakers are being forced to expand their businesses beyond traditional manufacturing. This includes digital services, subscriptions, autonomous features, and even integration into users’ daily lives.Changan’s announcement serves as a signal to the entire industry: the era of “just selling cars” is over. In the coming years, the brands that succeed will be those that can build a comprehensive digital ecosystem around the vehicle.