Tan Chong International will retail China's Changan automobiles

The company will represent the Changan brand in SEA countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines besides Singapore, through a newly formed subsidiary-TC Changan.

Executive director Glenn Tan told the press he is confident Changan cars will live up to local standards and will start up in Indonesia and Thailand first, this year, before entering Singapore by the end of 2013. Mr Tan projected combined annual sales from the five markets to hit 10,000 units withing four to five years.

A seven-seater model - Honor will premiere from the brand and is expected to be priced akin to an entry-level Toyota Vios.

"I've seen the car, and it's pretty well-made. Not up there with the Japanese, but certainly better than most Chinese cars," Mr Tan remarked.

Changan is ranked as one of China's top carmakers with 15 plants within many cities in China, on top of R&D facilities in Turin, Yokohama, Nottingham and Detroit. The state-owned company is partially parented by the Chinese military. Despite questions arising in several markets over the quality of China made cars, Mr Tan was certain Changan was different.

"We make seats for them, so we know they have quality standards. They won't just take anything you give them," commented Mr Tan.

While the Honor might pose certain competition among fast developing economies, the local car scene is still primarily based upon COE, other taxes and fuel prices, and we presume it is too early to tell if Changan can dent the local motoring scene. Nonetheless we wish Tan Chong and Changan the best for future endeavours.