An old French tart, that just keeps on going around the block
The Citroen ZX has been in China since biblical times (well, maybe 10 years) and the car just keeps on selling! Dongfeng Citroen have recently rolled out a slightly updated model for 2008, although we are unsure what exactly is updated for 2008, as the car still looks the same as it did in 1991, when it was first released in Europe.
To be fair to the Fu Kang (as its known in China) it has been updated under the hood to include either a 1.4 or a 1.6 16v Euro 5 engine.
Should you be so inclined, you can pick up a brand new ZX for around 60 to 70,000rmb, depending on spec.
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You can pick up a dose of clap for less!
This old Citroen model was the inspiration for other Chinese models like the Geely Maple. So easy to interchange parts.
It seems to be in a time-warp league with the Santana and Chery’s Seat Toledo (Qiyun).
It’s still hanging around because it’s a reliable, time-proven car. Is it the most stylish thing on the road? No way – and neither is the Santana or Jetta (although the Jetta DOES have a kind of charm to it). It DOES have something that neither of them have…….it is a 5 door hatchback and provides more versatility. I test drove a Fukang a little over a year ago with the 1.4 engine. Good responsiveness for it’s size, a comfortable ride, solid brakes and confident steering. The seats were fabric but supportive, the transmission is tight (it’s not Honda tight but better than most all chinese cars) and it feels overall more expensive than it’s price (64,000 rmb or so for the 1.4 model). It’s a bargain, it’s reliable and enjoys a “bulletproof” reputation in China – it’s no surprise that it still sells well. You want style? Wait for the Brilliance FRV or spend the extra 20,000 for the Buick HRV. You want reliability AND durability? Check out the Fukang.
JoninPRC, try a used model with a 100,000ks or so on the clock, then compare with a Santana or Jetta, then come back with a comment. Better still compare taxi fleets with Fukangs Santanas and Jettas at high ks and see which is the better. French tart – yes – cheap, nasty, you wouldnt take one home to Mum and clap ridden to boot!
As for putting the Santana in the same breath as the Chery Qiyun and Gelly Maple I think dragin is almost commiting sacrilege or showing a lack of knowledge of actual experience of the Chinese art of car manufacture.
I find myself in agreement with dog tucker, especially the first half.
The Citroen ZX is a truly AWFUL car, its possibly the only car worse to drive than the BJ2020! Its slow, its too low to the ground for my liking (especially in a side impact car crash), its very outdated externally and internally. On the upside, its so widespread in China that the parts are cheap as anything. If I was retro car shopping in China, Id take the Jetta, even if the sills do rot away eventually, you’ll be left with a solid engine.
Huapu maple knocked off the ZX ages ago, and still continue to use its floorpan/chassis etc etc:
http://www.chinacartimes.com/index.php?s=maple
I wonder why Dongfeng Citroen didnt take sue them, and if the did, why didnt they win?
Well……..I HAVE been in several high mileage models (100,000km range) and they seem to be holding up pretty well. I also live in south China – the warm weather here treats cars better than the cold climate in the north. We have plenty of Fukangs in our taxi fleets….some are garbage, some are great – just like the Santana/Jetta taxis. Now……I never said that that Santana/Jetta is a BAD car…….quite the contrary. I have several foreign friends that have 10 year old Santanas (with the 4 speed gearbox) and they’re still going pretty strong. My point with the Fukang is that it’s the cheapest “foreign” 5 door “standard size” car available in China (I’m not counting the Spark or the Suzuki van). It’s old, ugly and not that well appointed……but it’s still selling and that says something. Should Citroen retire it once and for all and focus more on the C2? Probably – but I look at the Fukang as the auto industry’s version of a bulldog – it’s SO ugly it’s cute!
C´mon!!!!….I