Chang'an pushes for overseas expansion at Frankfurt 2013 Motor Show

The vehicle was developed in conjunction with Chang'an's research and development centers in Italy and the United Kingdom, the automaker said. That process allowed it to make full use of its European design and engineering resources. The CS75 is targeted at the domestic and international markets.

Shanghai-based research firm IHS Automotive forecast that Chang'an's three CS models, which include the CS35 and CS95, will comprise a complete SUV "family" for the Chongqing-based company.

A Chang'an CS75 SUV is pictured at the Frankfurt motor show on Sept 11, 2013. [Photo / Xinhua]

"The CS75 will likely see annual domestic sales of about 30,000 units by 2015," said IHS Automotive light vehicle sales forecast analyst Wang Zeng. "The model will compete with the S6 SUV built by BYD Auto in China."

Chang'an has in recent years invested in opening R&D centers in Turin, Italy, Nottingham, UK, Yokohama, Japan, and Detroit, US, in addition to its R&D center in China.

"Going to the US and Europe is much more than building a car that can meet the certification standards," said Lin Huaibin, IHS Automotive's vehicle sales forecast manager.

Beyond certification standards, he said, there are requirements that could take several years for Chinese automakers to achieve - such as warranties, insurance and dealership networks. There's also the issue of raising brand awareness in Europe and the US and competing against the established international automakers.

"The markets that Chang'an has exported its models to this year include about 20 different markets.

"It's expected that Chang'an will continue to push exports in these emerging markets, while simultaneously raising the standards of its vehicles," said Namrita Chow, manager and senior analyst at IHS Automotive.