Distributed by Berjaya Auto Asia, Inc., and retailed under the Auto Asia dealerships, Chinese maker Changan debuts in the Philippine automotive industry. Having 61 years of commercial vehicle production and 35 years of passenger vehicle production, sales, and service experience tucked under its belt and touted as China’s 4th largest automotive player, it will initially release two commercial vehicles—namely, the Honor S 7- 7-seat Multi-purpose Vehicle (MPV) and the Star Truck small truck, primarily built for small to medium enterprise owners and large groups.
Changan builds its own vehicles, with its manufacturing plants in China, along with other facilities in Japan, Europe, and the USA. Each vehicle it produces is built to meet strict, global standards. It likewise ensures that parts and service are available to customers around the world, with more than six hectares of parts production facility in its headquarters in Chongqing, China.
The Honor S retails at P585,000 and offers a value-for-money proposition with its bevy of features and specifications. The 7-passenger MPV is powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline motor with Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) technology that puts out 105hp and 145NM of torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. It also has a 10-inch Android-based LCD infotainment screen with AUX,USB/iPod connectivity, along with an AM/FM tuner and MP3 and WMV capability. It also has an 8-seater configuration for those that need the extra passenger room.
CAPTION: 10-inch LCD infotainment screen on the Honor S
The Changan Star Truck, on the other hand, is available in either cab, chassis, and dropside. body styles. There is also an option to add a built-in aluminum box. The small truck is powered by a 1.2-liter gasoline mill with 97hp and 119Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual driving the rear wheels. While its primary purpose is to haul cargo, the driver and passenger still get a 2-DIN CD player, as well as 3-point seat belts to keep them entertained and safe while on the go. The Star Truck retails at P435,000 for the Cab and Chassis and P455,000 for the Dropside body style while it goes at P488,000 for the variant with a built-in aluminum box.
For vehicle servicing, Auto Asia has readily available parts at its Sta. Rosa, Laguna facility. The dealership will be complemented by their Mobile Service Van that services customers who are within 100kms of the dealership.
