Changan Auto launches minicar, MPV in Malaysia

China's Changan Automotive Co. on Monday launched a minicar and a seven-seater multipurpose-vehicle (MPV) in Malaysia, marking its debut in Southeast Asia.

Changan is the third China carmaker after Chery Auto Group and Geely Automotive to enter Malaysia, which is the region's largest passenger car market.

Tony Khor, Chief Executive of Changan Berjaya Auto, said the Era CV6, an egg-shaped minicar, and the Era CM8 family size multipurpose vehicle are affordable vehicles targeted at first-time buyers and those looking for a second car.

Changan Berjaya, which is part of the Berjaya Group, is the exclusive assembler and distributor of Changan cars in Southeast Asia.

Khor said both cars, priced from 36,000 ringgit (US$10,141) with 1.3 liter engines, have been refined for the Malaysian market to be safer and more attractive.

"Although there is an economic slowdown, we are confident. It's a good time for us to introduce a small and entry-level car because people will downgrade," he said. "There are long term plans for Malaysia, which will become Changan's right hand drive hub for the region."

Khor said Changan Berjaya hopes to sell 3,000 units of the CV6 and 2,000 of the CM8 this year. It also aims to export some 5,000 of the cars to Southeast Asian countries including Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand, he said, but gave no details on when this will be.