Intro: The Chang’an (Chana) Machinery Works, a military ordnance factory in the city of Chongqing, assembled a Jeep CJ5 in 1958 as Changjiang no. 46. In 1982 this company has started the licence production of Suzuki ST 90 mini-trucks, followed by the first Suzuki Alto motor car in 1990 designated SC7080. Production numbers raised to 50.000 units at the end of the 1990s.
In 1993 a second factory was built in Chongqing to produce Altos, owned by the Chang’an-Suzuki Auto Corporation. Suzuki has a 35 per cent holding in this company, Nissho Iwai (Japan) 14 per cent and Chang’an Automobile Group Ltd. Corp. has 51 per cent.
Currently Chongqing Chang'an Suzuki Automobile Co.,Ltd, Chongqing Kuayue Vehicle Co.,Ltd., Nanjing Chang'an Automobile Co.,Ltd. and the Hebei Chang'an Shengli Automobile Co.,Ltd. belong to the main company and all of them are assembling Altos and the main base also churns out a fairly good number of Suzuki-based minivans and buses.
Chang'an also tied up with Ford and assembly of the Aikang, an Ikon-based limousine commenced in January, 2003 at Changan-Ford.
Chang'an completed its first self-designed minivan in 2004, developed with assistance from an Italian design studio and named after its creator, Leimeng (Chinese pronunciation of Raimondi).
In 2005 Chang'an-Suzuki started assembly of the new Swift, while Chang'an and Ford reached an agreement on local engine production. Chang'an also bought controlling interest in the JMC group, which assemble Isuzu, Ford products and the makes the Landwind off-roader. |
