Hongqi (marque)

Hongqi (Chinese: 红旗; pinyin: Hóngqí) is a Chinese luxury car marque owned by the automaker FAW Car Company, itself a subsidiary of FAW Group. Hongqi was launched in 1958, making it the oldest Chinese passenger car marque.[1] In Chinese, hongqi means "red flag."

Hongqi
Native name
红旗
TypeDivision
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1958 (1958)
Headquarters,
China
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsAutomobiles
OwnerFAW Group
ParentFAW Group
Websitehongqi.faw.cn

Originally, Hongqi models were only for high-ranking government officials.[2] They ceased production in 1981 but were later revived in the mid-1990s.

History

Origins to 1991

While the name has endured, the vehicles that bear the brand have varied significantly. Originally a dignitary's car,[3] the brand's later vehicles have ranged from serving as taxis[4] to low-end business sedans;[5] during the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China parade, the brand returned to its roots by carrying party leaders.[6]

Hongqi CA72

The original Hongqi cars were a luxury item used for the transport of foreign dignitaries[3] and the party elite.[2] Although Chairman Mao claimed not to have been driven in a Hongqi until Nixon's 1972 visit, he did take a personal interest in the cars from the beginning.[7]

Introduced on August 1, 1958, the first Hongqi was the CA72. By September, a convertible version intended to be used by dignitaries in National Day parades had appeared.[8] The CA72's design was based on a 1955 Chrysler.[9] From the beginning, the full-size Hongqi was equipped with a 147 kW (200 PS; 197 hp) V8 engine.[8] The grille was based on a traditional design of a Chinese fan and remains in use on Hongqis today.

First introduced in 1963, the CA770 model remained in production until 1980, albeit in limited numbers. Around 1,600 of these V8-engined Hongqis were built in total,[10] and over the years various versions were released, including a 1965 long-wheelbase model with three rows of seats and a 1969 armored version (CA772).[8]

1991 to 2015

Audi 100-based CA7200/CA7220

Between 1995 and 2006, foreign products were manufactured in China and sold as Hongqi models. These included the Audi 100[11] (CA7200/CA7220) and the Lincoln Town Car[9] (CA7460). There were two Audi 100-based versions—the more luxurious "Century Star"[12] and the smaller (1.8-litre) Hongqi Mingshi.[13]

FAW began production of the third generation of Hongqi vehicles in 2006.[14] Named the HQ3 and based on the Toyota Crown Majesta, it saw little market success. First year sales totaled near 500, and while the target for the second year was 1,400 units, the HQ3 would not be profitable until annual sales of 5,000 were reached[15]—something that may never have happened. By October 2008, the price was reduced considerably and the name changed to Shengshi ("Days of Prosperity") in order to better appeal to private buyers.[5] Sales during the first half of 2008 were all from inventory and totaled 788.[5]

Debuting by 2013, 30,000 units of the latest Hongqi model were initially expected to be produced,[16] though a year after launch, less than 5,000 had been sold.[17] Sales are through government procurement; the car is billed as "the official car for minister-level officials."[16] In 2014, the People's Liberation Army purchased at least 1,000 H7 models.[18] A much more expensive model, the L5, was also on sale alongside the H7.[19]

2015 to present

From 2017 to 2021, the brand experienced extremely high growth, from 4702 units in 2017 to over 33,000 in 2018, over 100,000 in 2019, over 200,000 in 2020, and over 300,000 in 2021, a growth of 63 times in 4 years.[20][21]

In 2023, the brand re-entered the minibus market for the first time since selling the Hongqi CA630 minibus[22] in the 1980s, with the 23-seat Hongqi QM7.[23]

Current products

Model Picture Production Generation Note
Sedan
L5 2014–present[24] Second Full-size luxury car
H9 2020–present First Full-size luxury sedan
EH7 to commence First Mid-size electric sedan
H6 2023–present First Mid-size luxury sedan
H5 2018–present Second Mid-size luxury sedan
E-QM5 2021–present First Compact electric sedan
SUV
LS7
2022–present First Full-size luxury SUV
E-HS9
2020–present First Full-size electric luxury SUV
HS7 2019–present Second Midsize luxury SUV
HS5
2019–present Second Compact luxury SUV
HS3 2018–present Second Subcompact luxury SUV
MPV
HQ9 2022–present First Full-size luxury MPV

Official state car (not open to public sale)

Model Production Length Notes
Hongqi L5 2012–present[25] 5,555 mm, wheelbase 3,435 mm. Identifiable via non-chromed B pillar[26]
Government and open-top parade versions not sold to public[25]
Used for foreign dignitaries. First used to ferry French President François Hollande in 2013.[27]
Hongqi L7 2012–[25] 6,097 mm, wheelbase ~3,600 mm.[27] Also known as CA7600.
Identifiable via chromed B pillar[26]
Hongqi L9 2009–[25] 6,395 mm (since 2019 - 6,500 mm[28]), wheelbase ~3,900 mm.[27] Also known as CA7600L.
Identifiable via larger quarter glass.[26] First in the L-series[26]
Debuted in 2009 military parade
Hongqi CA7600J 2009– 6.4 m[29] Identifiable via rear-hinged doors.[26]
Used by Xi Jinping as parade car in 70th anniversary parade.[29]
Debuted in 2009 military parade
Hongqi N501 2016–[30] 5,500 mm. Based on Hongqi L5 with modern styling[31]
Debuted in visit to Rwanda by Xi Jinping in 2018.[32]
Hongqi N701 2022– Identifiable via lengthened rear windows.
Current presidential car of China.
Debuted in visit to Hong Kong by Xi Jinping during 25th anniversary of handover.[33][34]

Former products

Pre-2010s

Production dates Model designation Picture Note
1958[3] Dongfeng CA71[3](东风

East Wind)

Simca Vedette body and chassis, Mercedes-Benz 190 engine[3]
1958–1965 CA72 1955 Imperial C-69 sedan[9]
1966–1981[10] CA770 series 1960s Imperial
1972–1979 CA774
Five prototypes were built with the intent of replacing the Hongqi CA770. No series production.
1980–1987 CA630 A bus designed as VIP transport for the government, state-owned high-end hotels and travelling agencies. 19 seater load capacity, fitted with a 4.5 litre V8 engine producing 165 horsepower paired to a 4 speed manual gearbox.[35]
1982–1984 CA750

CA760

A sedan made by Hongqi with Datsun 280C styling cues. Was produced to compete with the Shanghai SH760. A long wheelbase version was also available as the CA760 with only one made.[36]
1987 CA750F

CA760

Dodge 600, did not enter production
1989 CA7225LH Audi 100
1992–1995 CA7560
CA7560LH (LWB)
few examples built, modernized 770.[37]
1993–1996 CA7221L Audi 100
1993–1998 CA1021U3 pickup Audi 100
1995–1997 CA7465C8 Lincoln Town Car[38]
1996–2004[39][40] CA7200[41]

CA7220[39]

Audi 100[41]
1996–2005[42] CA5020XJB

CA7228L

CA7226L[42]

Audi 100[41]
1997 CA7220EL1 Audi 100
1997 CA7220L1 Audi 100
1998 CA7240L Audi 100
1998 CA7200E3L

CA7247L

Audi 100
1998–2005[43] CA7460

CA7460L1

CA7460L2

CA7460L3 [43]

(Flagship 旗舰)

Lincoln Town Car[43]
1998 CA7220A9EL1

CA7220A9EL2

CA7220A9EL2A2

Audi 100
1999 CA7220A9E Audi 100
2000–2006[3] CA7202E3

CA7242E6

CA7182E7 [44][12]

(Century Star 世纪星)

Audi 100
2000–2005 CA7203E3L

(Century Star 世纪星)

Audi 100
2001–2003[44] CA7180A2E

CA7180A3E

(Mingshi 明仕)

Audi 100
2001–2003 CA7180A2EL1

(Mingshi 明仕)

Audi 100
2001-2005 CA7202E3L1

CA7202E6L1

(Century Star 世纪星)

Audi 100
2001–2005 CA7202A9EL3

CA7202A9EL2

(Century Star 世纪星)

Audi 100
2002–2005 CA7202E6L

(Century Star 世纪星)

Audi 100
2004 CA7400

(Flagship 旗舰)

Remake of the Hongqi CA770 with a lowered roofline based on the 1998–2011 Lincoln Town Car. Prototype only
2006–2010[45] HQ3[46]

Shengshi[5]

HQ430[14]

(盛世 Days of Prosperity)

Toyota Crown Majesta[7]
2009, 2015 HQE

L7/L9

CA7600J

Post-2010s

Model designation Picture Production dates Generation Note
Official state car
N501 2018 - Based on L5
Sedan
H7[17] 2013–2021[16] First
SUV
LS5 2015–2017 First Based on CA7600J

Concept cars

A 2008 Hongqi SUV concept car
Hongqi S9 concept car (2019)

Hongqi will sometimes make an appearance at autoshows held on Chinese soil, showing off a concept car that attracts attention.

At the 2005 Shanghai International Auto Exhibition, a Hongqi HQD concept car was displayed.[47]

A Hongqi SUV concept was unveiled at the 2008 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.[48]

At the 2015 Shanghai International Auto Exhibition, Hongqi displayed a concept SUV radically different from its 2008 entry.[49]

At the 2018 Beijing International Auto Exhibition, Hongqi unveiled the electric sports car E-Jing GT Concept.[50]

At the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, Hongqi unveiled the sports car S9 and the SUV E115.[51]

At the 2021 Shanghai International Auto Exhibition, Hongqi unveiled the luxury limousine L-Concept.[52]

HQE

Not strictly a concept car, the V12-powered Hongqi HQE was used by high-ranking official Hu Jintao during parades celebrating the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.[6] It appeared on an official list of upcoming models in 2010 with a retail price of 1.2 million US dollars (which would have made it the most expensive Chinese-built car in history).[53] This model has since been shown at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show as the CA7600L.[54] It is equipped with a 300 kW (408 PS; 402 hp) 6.0 L V12 engine developed in-house.[54]

S9

Similarly to the HQE, The Hongqi S9, is not strictly a concept car, it is set to start production in Italy with Silk-FAW,[55] a joint venture between the FAW group and American based design firm Silk EV. the S9 is luxury sports car powered by a combustion 4.0 L twin-turbo V8 engine associated with a hybrid system, providing it with an output of 1,381 hp. The production version of the S9 was introduced in 2021 Auto Shanghai.[56][57][58]

E-LS

[59][60]

Relationship with Besturn

Hongqi and another FAW Group brand, Besturn, have exhibited some overlap. In 2008, due to flagging sales, Hongqi showrooms were merged with those of the new Besturn brand.[61] It was thought that giving the Hongqi brand more sales outlets would increase turnover.[62] At the 2010 Beijing Auto Show, Besturn models were shown "under the Hongqi naming series,"[63] and until 2011 the two brands both used the Hongqi "circled one" badging.[64]

Sales

Domestic

A total of 2,534 Hongqi vehicles were sold in China in 2013, making it the 67th largest-selling car brand in the country in that year (and the 41st largest-selling Chinese brand).[65] Hongqi sold 2,774 cars in 2014 and became the 72nd largest car brand in China.[66]

Overseas

Hongqi has had a presence in Dubai since December 2018, with 20 vehicles of the H5 and H7 models sold for use in the 2019 NEXT summit.[67]

On December 30, 2020, Hongqi exported 400 H9 and H5 sedans, HS7 and HS5 SUVs to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.[68]

In September 2021, Hongqi has launched in Norway.[69]

On February 1, 2022, Hongqi launched in Vietnam with the E-HS9 and H9 being the first vehicle to be sold.[70] Hongqi has a presence in Israel as of April 6, 2022 with the launch of the Hongqi E-HS9 under the Samelet Group.[71]

In December 2022, Hongqi launched in Denmark with the E-HS9.[72]

A 1978 Hongqi CA770 was featured in a 2017 episode of Jay Leno's Garage.[73]

The Hongqi L5 was reviewed by Jeremy Clarkson in a 2019 film for The Grand Tour taking place in China. Armed with western luxury cars, Clarkson and the other presenters sought to prove that Anglo luxury cars are inferior through a series of performance challenges.[74]

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