Chang'an Automobile, Chana for short, is the third largest Chinese automaker, with sales of nearly 1.5 million vehicles through August and a market share of 13%. Chana's Benben Mini, which sells for $4,480, is the 6th best selling model in China.
Chana dates its ancestry back to 1862 with the founding of the Shanghai Foreign Gun Bureau. Chana produces cars in joint ventures with Suzuki, Ford, and other Western manufacturers. In June, Chana was reported in talks with Ford about producing a mid-sized using Ford technology but carrying the Changan brand.
Chana signaled its export ambitions in 2007 by establishing the Chana Automobile International Company for "overseas exploration." It moves quickly when it sees an opportunity. Earlier this year, it needed just four months to sign a production deal with France's PSA Peugeot Citroen.
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