IF the Chinese emperor Qin had known about the Chana bakkies, he
would have included a few clay versions to provide logistical support for the
8 000 terracotta soldiers and their horses buried in the ancient city of
Chang’an (or Xi’an).
For if nothing else, these little Chana bakkies are tenacious. Much
like the ancient Chinese city after which the Changan group is named, the South
African importers of the Chinese bakkies have been reduced to rubble several
times, and each time the little bakkie has emerged from the dust, ready to
soldier on.
The first importer, Changan South Africa, had to be rescued in 2009
by the Johannesburg branch of China Construction Bank, but the rescued company
was drowning in debt and the company applied for voluntary liquidation in
September 2012.
To the relief of Chana drivers, Geely then agreed to continue
stocking parts, but this Chinese competitor did not honour Changan SA’s
warranties for three years or 50 000 km.
In August, the local arm of the giant Chinese group Jiangling Motor
Corporation, (JMC) announced it would import and distribute a facelifted version
of the willing little Chanas under the original name, Changan.
Like the Chana, the Changan Star II is now available at
multi-franchise dealers in single, double and king cab options.
During the media blitz, JMC SA said it would focus on building a
solid distribution and service network in SA over the next three years, but the
company has not as yet seen fit to add the Changan’s details next to the other
bits of family silver on its website.
Hence anyone wanting to know more specifications than the price of
the Changan must follow the trails left by Chana.
Burly South Africans will find especially the power and torque
figures amusing, but bear in mind these vehicles have been moving gardeners and
builders in South Africa since 2006 in much more comfort that the Chana’s main
competitor, the Nissan 1400, which previous-century bakkie still sells for up to
R75 000 in SA.
When we first tested the Chana in 2006 we warned that any driver
over five feet tall will not so much drive a Chana as wear it.
The 2013 facelifted Changan has a thinner seat, which does help to
remove the steering wheel a few millimetres out of bigger drivers’ stomachs.
The 1 310 cc four-cylinder engine makes 60 kW at 5300 rpm and its
102 Nm at 3 500 rpm.
Consumption is claimed at 15 km/litre (6,5/100km), but this will
double if the bakkie carries its 900 kg payload on the 165/65R13 wheels.
Still, for last mile deliveries, Witness
Wheels can happily recommend a used Chana and new Changan over a Nissan
1400. Like the Nissan, their only weakness apart from being designed for midgets
is that they are prone to rust at the coast.
Keep them clean and these little Chinese pit ponies will yet
outlast the business it’s bought for, just like it has outlasted the businesses
that bought it.
Some
Numbers
Changan single cab
1.0
Displacement: 1 012 cc
Power:
39 kw @ 5300 rpm
Torque: 78 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Price:
R75 000
Changan single cab
1.3
Displacement: 1 310 cc
Power:
60 kw @ 5 300 rpm
Torque: 102 Nm @ 3 500 rpm
