Changan troops into Berjaya Philippines

Berjaya Philippines brought a brand new car brand into the country, Changan. The new automotive player was ushered in last Thursday, June 20, 2019, at the new dealership opened by SsangYong Berjaya Motor Philippines in Sta. Rosa.

China’s fourth largest automotive player with 61 years of commercial vehicle production experience, Changan will be handled by newly-formed distributor Berjaya Auto Asia, Inc.

Auto Asia will initially offer commercial vehicles, the Honor S seven-seat Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) and the Star Truck small truck. Both are targeted at customers looking for an affordable family ride, or affordable transportation for their small to medium scale business.

Honor S

The value for money seven-seater MPV, Honor S is priced at P585,000, with features and specifications which rival more expensive rides. It’s powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with variable valve timing, that puts out 105-hp and 145-Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed manual transmission which drives the rear wheels.  It’s equipped with a 10-inch Android-based LCD infotainment system with AUX,USB/iPod connectivity, AM/FM with MP3 and WMV capability. There is also an eight-seater option.

Star Truck

Small and medium sized business owners now have an affordable transport option in the Star Truck. Initially available in cab chassis, dropside and aluminum van/box configurations, it’s powered by 1.2-liter gasoline engine that puts out 97-hp and 119-Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed manual that drives the rear wheels. It has a two-DIN CD player and three-point seatbelts. It’s priced at P435,000 for the cab chassis and P455,000 for the dropside body style, and P488,000 for aluminum box.

Auto Asia offers comprehensive parts and service at its Sta. Rosa, Laguna facility which is complemented by a Mobile Service Van for customers who aren’t near the dealership, as long as you are within 100kms of the dealership.  Charging customers by distance, on top of the regular Periodic Maintenance Service fees, keeping maintenance affordable and convenient.

Changan wasn’t the only one with reason to celebrate. Sister brand, Ssangyong Philippiens took the wraps off two new models, the Rexton SUV and Musso Grand pickup.

Ssangyong Rexton SUV

Designed as an SUV from the ground up, the Ssangyong Rexton is not a pick up based SUV. Unlike its competition, this SUV with off-road capabilities was conceived first. It has the widest-in-class cabin with a width of 1950mm and wheelbase at 2855mm with a more comfortable ride than its rivals. This seven-seater SUV has luxury appointments and features a class above its competitors like ventilated premium brown leather seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a seven-inch Super Vision instrument cluster, just to name a few. Powered by a 2.2-liter diesel engine with e-VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger) that puts out 181hp and 420Nm of torque. The 4×4 is equipped with 20-inch wheels and the 4×2 has 18-inch wheels. The 4×4 also gets six airbags while the 4×2 gets driver and front passenger airbags. The 4×4 is priced at P2,230,000 while the 4×2 is priced at P1,730,000.

Musso Grand pickup

The Musso Grand has an additional 310 mm of length. It is the largest-in-class at 5405 mm, as well as an increased payload capacity of 1025 kg versus the regular Musso’s 850 kg. The Grand has the longest and largest bed in its category. Ssangyong also now offers buyers two rear suspension setups depending on which variant they choose, coil springs for the standard wheelbase Musso, or leaf spring suspension for the Musso Grand. But despite the leaf spring setup, the Grand’s ride is still guaranteed to be plush due to it being based off the Rexton.

The 4×4 variant gets a sunroof, premium brown leather upholstery with ventilation, a deck pillar, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 3.5-inch Super Vision instrument cluster, and rear A/C vents. The 4×4 models get Active Rollover Protection, along with Hill Descent Control and Electronic Stabilization Program. The 4×4 Musso Grand is priced at P1,650,000 while the 4×2 Musso Grand is priced at P1,230,000 and the 4×2 Musso Grand M/T is priced at P1,180,000.

All of these were unveiled in Auto Asia’s newest showroom. It is a 1,300sq.m. facility located along the National Road, Purok 3, Pulong Sta Cruz, Sta Rosa, Laguna.  Customers will be greeted by a spacious display area showcasing both SsangYong and Changan.  The service area will have eight vehicle bays, five of which have lifts.  There are also tire changers, wheel balancing and alignment machines for a complete one stop shop experience.

“When a buyer walks into an Auto Asia dealership, they can choose from a wide range of products from SUVs, pickup trucks, MPVs, or small trucks for both the family and one’s business. And they will get the same brand of sales and after-sales service that puts the customer first,” said Japheth Castillo, President of Ssangyong Berjaya Motor Philippines, Inc. and Berjaya Auto Asia, Inc.

Auto Asia is set to open dealerships around Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the National Capital Region in the near future to cater to SsangYong and Changan customers.  At the same event, Ssangyong Berjaya Motor Philippines also launched the much awaited Rexton SUV and a new variant of the Musso.