China has now overtaken Germany as the world's third largest car producer, reaching an all-time high in production in 2009 with 1.1 million vehicles produced every month.

Stephen D. Sy, president of Focus Ventures Inc., the local distributor of Chana and First Auto Works (FAW) automobiles in the Philippines, sees this and the “surging demand for Chinese cars” as indicators that the time is ripe for Chinese brands in the Philippines.

"There has been a deluge of China-made products in the country, and one can see the practicality and high quality behind them. Chana is ready to do its share and keep up the momentum," he said in an interview during Chana's wushu-insipired launch at the 3rd Philippine International Motor Show.

Chana is the first to offer Chinese-made vehicles in the four-day motor show and one of the two new members –  along with CATS Motors, Inc. – of the influential Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI).

Chana is the fifth-largest in over 100 automobile producers and the leading minivan and minitruck manufacturer in China. Suzuki, Ford Motors, and Mazda partnered to form the brand.

Focus Ventures is also looking into the possibility of putting up an assembly plant and expanding Chana dealership in the country. It currently has dealerships in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and other provinces.

Presenting a five-door hatchback called Benni and light commercial vehicles during its PIMS launch, Mr. Sy also stressed Chana’s drive to produce "environmentally sustainable" models in its lineup.