About us

From Heston Automotive to Changan Heathrow

The same local team. Now West London's authorised Changan dealer.

We have been serving drivers from our Heathrow showroom as Heston Automotive for years, offering sales, aftercare and a straightforward way of doing business. Today that same team is Changan's authorised dealer for Heathrow and West London, trading as Changan Heathrow.

The name on the fascia is new. The people, the location and the way we look after customers are not.

Our story

Heston Automotive Ltd built its reputation on used and nearly-new cars, workshop work and treating local customers properly. When Changan asked us to bring the Deepal range to this part of London, it was a natural next step: the same local business, now with a dedicated electric line-up.

Changan Heathrow is how we trade as an authorised Changan dealer. Behind it is still Heston Automotive Ltd: same company, same address, same aftercare promise.

What that means for you

You can explore the Deepal S05 and S07, book a test drive, talk through PCP, PCH or HP, and come back to us for servicing, MOTs and warranty work. You are not handed off to a call centre in another county. You are dealing with the team at Changan Heathrow.

We are a credit broker, not a lender, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 814020). Finance is subject to status.

Changan Heathrow showroom on Yeading Lane, Heathrow

Deepal S07, the latest chapter in Changan's story

The brand

More than 160 years in the making

Changan Automobile began in 1862 as a military supply facility in China. Over the decades it grew into a major global automotive group, and in 2025 it brought its modern range of intelligent electric vehicles to British roads.

1862

Founded

2010

UK research centre

2025

UK range launch

1862
Military beginnings
Changan traces its roots to the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau, founded by Li Hongzhang during the Qing Dynasty. It began as a military supply facility, long before it built cars.
1937 to 1959
Chongqing, and the first vehicle
Operations moved to Chongqing during the Second World War. In 1959 the factory built its first government vehicle, the Changjiang Type 46 Jeep, based on the Willys design. The shift towards automobiles began.
1984
Into the civilian car market
A partnership with Suzuki to build commercial minivans marked Changan's move from military supply into civilian motoring: the foundation of the car company we represent today.
2000s
A global automotive group
Joint ventures with Ford and Mazda helped Changan scale into one of China's four largest automotive groups, with research, design and manufacturing around the world.
2010
Research and testing in the UK
Changan opened a dedicated UK research and development centre, with powertrain testing in Birmingham. European design and engineering have shaped the cars on our forecourt.
2025
On British roads
Changan formally introduced its intelligent electric range to British motorists, including the Deepal S05 and S07, backed by more than two decades of European design and testing.