Right-hand-drive Changan UNI programme
None of the Changan UNI models are built right-hand drive at Chongqing. The UNI-T, UNI-V and UNI-V iDD in our catalogue are all factory left-hand drive. Changan builds right-hand-drive vehicles at Rayong in Thailand, and RHD allocation for any UNI model is quoted against that plant rather than against Chinese CBU stock. We publish this prominently because plenty of exporters do not, and a buyer in Nairobi who discovers it after paying a deposit has a real problem.
Why conversion is not an option
Steering conversion is a structural change, not a trim change. Moving the driver to the other side relocates the steering rack and column, the pedal box, the brake servo, the heater box, most of the wiring loom, and the airbag deployment geometry that the vehicle was crash-certified around. The car that comes out the other side has no valid type approval and no manufacturer warranty.
Inspection regimes know this. A converted car typically fails on five checks: steering and pedal geometry against the declared type approval, headlamp beam pattern, wiper sweep on the driver side, speedometer primary units, and the airbag and steering-column crash certification. Any one of those is enough.
Where Changan builds right-hand drive
At Rayong, Thailand. Changan received approval to build on a 40-hectare site in Rayong province against an investment of roughly THB 8.9 billion, and the group has stated that the plant will produce all of its global right-hand-drive models for export to Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and South Africa.
“Changan Thailand plant will be its major overseas manufacturing base, to build all global RHD models.”
Which markets need right-hand drive?
These are the destinations where our catalogue does not apply as published, and what each one requires on top of the steering side.
| Market | Steering | Approval requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | RHD | PVoC / CoC before shipment, 8-year age limit |
| Tanzania | RHD | PVoC / CoC before shipment |
| Uganda | RHD | PVoC / CoC before shipment, 15-year age limit |
| Zambia | RHD | Pre-export verification |
| South Africa | RHD | NRCS letter of authority, SABS homologation |
| Thailand | RHD | Domestic Changan Rayong production |
| Malaysia | RHD | Approved Permit and VTA type approval |
| Indonesia | RHD | SNI certification and NIK registration |
| United Kingdom | RHD | GB type approval (UKCA), mph-primary speedometer |
Right-hand-drive questions
- Can I buy a right-hand-drive Changan UNI-T or UNI-V today?
- Not from Chongqing — every UNI built in China is left-hand drive. RHD allocation comes from Changan Rayong in Thailand and is quoted against that plant schedule, which is longer and tighter than Chinese CBU stock. Send the destination and quantity and we will tell you honestly what the current allocation position is rather than take a deposit against a car we cannot place.
- Why not just convert a left-hand-drive car?
- Because it fails inspection and voids the warranty. A steering conversion relocates the rack, pedal box, wiring loom, brake servo and airbag deployment geometry, and no East African, Southern African or ASEAN inspection regime accepts the result on a new vehicle. The headlamp beam pattern alone fails it — a left-hand-drive lamp throws its kick toward the wrong verge and dazzles oncoming traffic.
- Where does Changan actually build right-hand-drive vehicles?
- At Rayong in Thailand. Changan committed roughly THB 8.9 billion to a plant on a 40-hectare site in Rayong province, nominated as the group overseas base for all global right-hand-drive models, serving Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and South Africa. Any credible RHD Changan quotation traces back to that plant.
- What should I do if my market is RHD and I need Changan product now?
- Ask for the Rayong allocation list rather than the Chongqing catalogue, and check whether a neighbouring left-hand-drive market is part of your distribution area. Several of our East African customers run Ethiopia and DR Congo on Chinese LHD stock while their Kenyan RHD allocation is scheduled, which keeps the business moving instead of waiting.
If your market is left-hand drive, the published catalogue applies as written and lead times start at 25 days. See also the RHD homologation guide.