(Yicai Global) Sept. 18 -- The joint venture factory of Changan Automobile Co. [SHE:000625] in Egypt held a ceremony to unveil the first batch of SUVs manufactured locally in the Middle Eastern country, representing the debut of the locally produced Changan CS35 model.

As a small SUV, Changan CS35 is manufactured in the joint venture factory established by Changan Automobile and Egypt SIG Group, Xinhuanet.com reported.

CS35 has more than 40 percent of parts manufactured in Egypt and is equipped with air-conditioning system especially for extremely hot areas, which are tailor-made for the Egyptian market, said a technician working in the joint venture factory.

With a total planned area of nearly 20,000 square meters, the factory extension will be completed by the end of 2018 and will be able to make five models including CS35 and V7 with the annual capacity of 8,000 vehicles.

Changan Automobile exported finished vehicles to Egyptian market, gaining reputation and market confidence in Egypt, said Wang Huanran, general manager of overseas business development unit of Changan Automobile. Building a factory in Egypt is an important opportunity and beneficial to the company, the Egyptian government and consumers, he added.