- “Stay in the Game” – A Shared Commitment to Excellence, Innovation, and Endurance.
LISBON, Portugal, May 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Changan Automobile today announced a global strategic partnership with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), becoming the Official Global Partner of the Portugal National Football Team. The announcement ceremony took place at Cidade do Futebol, the heart of Portuguese football, marking a significant milestone in Changan’s long term commitment to the European market.
The event featured senior representatives from Changan and the FPF, alongside renowned Portuguese football legends. Highlights included the unveiling of the brand collaboration film “Sounds Like Changan”, the ceremonial handover of the DEEPAL S05 Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) to FPF leadership, and the official launch of a 1,000km European test drive program.
This collaboration goes beyond traditional sponsorship. It reflects a deep alignment of values – resilience, excellence, and long-termism. Both Changan Automobile and the FPF embody the philosophy of “Stay in the Game:” maintaining focus, consistency, and determination through every challenge.
“In football, staying ‘in the game’ means total commitment – to every tackle, every second of concentration, and every precise pass”, said Mi Mengdong, Vice President of Changan Automobile “For Changan, it means continuous investment, relentless innovation, and standing firmly with our users. The Portuguese team has spent a century defining resilience. Changan has spent 45 years proving the power of long-termism. This is not sponsorship – it is true resonance.”
The ceremony included a symbolic kick-off performed by Changan executives and legendary Portuguese football players, officially launching the partnership.
Following the ceremony, participants jointly waved the departure flag, marking the start of Changan’s long-distance European test drive initiative. The route will span from Lisbon to Madrid to Turin, showcasing Changan’s PHEV capabilities through real-world testing across diverse road and climate conditions, including verification of the 1000 km+ range.
Known as “The Team of the Quinas” (the crest of the Team features the five blue shields (quinas) from the Portuguese coat of arms), the Portugal National Football Team is one of the most recognized teams in global football, with a fanbase exceeding 500 million supporters worldwide.
“This partnership with Changan Automobile reflects the growing international relevance of Portuguese football and the values that define our Federation: ambition, innovation, resilience, and excellence. We are proud to join forces with a global brand that shares our long-term vision and commitment to continuous development, both on and off the pitch.” FPF Commercial says.
As Changan Automobile accelerates its global expansion under the Vast Ocean Plan, Europe stands as a strategic priority. The collaboration with the FPF will support localized product planning and brand engagement across the region.
The focus centers on Changan’s advanced New Energy Vehicle (NEV) lineup—including the CHANGAN NEVO Q05, CHANGAN DEEPAL models (S05/S07), and the premium intelligent AVATR vehicles (the Luxury SUV AVATR 11 and Futuristic Luxury Gran Coupe AVATR 12)—seamlessly bringing cutting-edge automotive innovation to Europe’s passionate football community.
About the Portuguese Football Federation
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is the governing body of football in Portugal, responsible for organizing and developing the sport at all levels, including national teams and domestic competitions.
About Changan
Changan, one of China’s largest automotive groups, has 45 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 40 plants worldwide, 79 branches and subsidiaries, sales and service networks in 118 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.
https://www.changaneurope.com/uk
Pictures available at AP
Press contact:
Melanie King
Head of PR, Changan UK
Press contact PR agency:
Woosah
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Changan press kit:
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