Profile: Nic Thomas

Assistant General Managing Director Changan Europe and UK Managing Director

Nic Thomas is Assistant General Manager Changan Europe and UK Managing Director and brings more than 20 years of global automotive leadership experience spanning brand development, marketing transformation, and electrification strategy.

Nic was recruited into Changan to lead the company’s European expansion, shaping a long-term strategy to introduce its advanced electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid portfolio to customers across key European markets. In his role as UK Managing Director, he is responsible for establishing the brand in one of Europe’s most competitive automotive landscapes. This includes building a high-performing leadership team, developing a nationwide retail and aftersales network, and leveraging Changan’s established 15-year R&D presence in Birmingham to support product development and localisation.

Nic’s career reflects expertise across both established and emerging mobility technologies. He spent more than 11 years with Nissan, where he served as Marketing Director for Nissan GB before moving to Yokohama as Director of Global EV Business. In that global role, he helped shape Nissan’s electric vehicle strategy during a pivotal period of industry transition, building on the company’s leadership in zero-emission mobility.

Earlier in his career, Nic held senior marketing and strategy roles at Ford Motor Company, developing extensive experience across international automotive markets and strengthening his foundation in brand positioning, customer engagement and commercial performance.

With a track record of delivering growth, leading high-performing teams and launching innovative products in competitive markets, Nic combines strategic vision with operational execution as he drives Changan’s next phase of expansion.

Phil Borge-Slavnich

Phil Borge-Slavnich

Agency Contact, Woosah
Susie Dullard

Susie Dullard

Agency Contact, Woosah

 

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About Changan

Changan, one of China's largest automotive groups, has more than 40 years of experience in automobile manufacturing and is headquartered in Chongqing. Chongqing Changan Automobile Co, Ltd (Shenzhen Stock Exchange: SZSE 000625) operates 14 manufacturing bases and 39 plants worldwide, 79 branches and subsidiaries, sales and service networks in 117 countries and regions, and more than 14,000 global sales outlets. It employs over 80,000 people directly and supports more than one million jobs across its entire value chain. Changan’s portfolio includes its own brands, such as Changan and Avatr, alongside joint ventures like Changan Ford and Changan Mazda. Since 2001, Changan has strengthened its European presence with a design centre in Turin and a research and development centre in Birmingham. Changan surpassed 30 million units in cumulative production and sales in December 2025. With the launch of its vehicles in Europe, Changan marked a new chapter in its international expansion in 2025.

changaneurope.com/uk

Contact

Changan Automobile Deutschland GmbH Georg-Brauchle-Ring 56-58 80992 München Deutschland

www.changaneurope.com