Explaining the Chinese Car Industry and Chinese Cars
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The last time we posted pictures of the Hong Qi SUV, we were unaware they were photoshopped pictures, this time were pretty sure the below SUV is the real deal.
The Red Flag SUV is expected to be in the same luxury SUV class as the Audi Q7, and have FAW self made V8 or V12 engines under the hood. China Car Times is wondering why the front end of this Hong Qi SUV has so many air vents.
Pictures from Autoblog
The Hong Qi CA7220a9e12L was quite possibly the most awesome Audi derritive that FAW made for their sub luxury brand, Hong Qi. Boasting a 2.2l V6 engine pumping out 76kw at 5500rpm and 175nm of torque, the CA7220a9e12L was quite a beast! Make sure you click the below image to fully appreciate the class that is the CA7220a9e12L.
To quote one man: ‘I just physically GASPED at the awesomeness of that 100 convertible!‘ China Car Times has never actually seen a CA7220a9e12L out on the road, but we have seen a pick up version of the Audi 100. China Car Times has made it a personal life goal to see (and maybe drive) the beastly sounding CA7220a9e12L before he dies.
What are your thoughts on the CA7220a9e12L? Surely it is the best example of Chinese motor engineering known to man?
Hong Qi have been making upmarket motors for fat cats and communist bosses for years, since the opening of Chinas economy to other brands they’ve lost some way against the likes of Audi, BMW etc in the luxury class, but the below rendering looks like they are fighting back.
The HongQi SUV is in the same class as the Audi Q7, and the BMW X5.
Update: Obviously the above renderings are Chinese fan art and nothing more.
The Germans have had their run off the Chinese luxury sedan market for a few years now, and it seems the local produce is slowly, but surely fighting their way into this segment. First we had the Roewe 750, it delivered good looks, luxury and performance on a budget, as did the MG7, now the Hong Qi C601 is ready to do the same.
The Hong C601 was launched at the 06 Beijing auto show as a concept car, but as all concept cars are, it was a bit whacky. Hong Qi have taken out the whackyness, and added in some sexiness for good measure, and its come out looking rather fine!
The C601 is built off a platform that is much like the Audi A6, but updated for 08 - First Automobile Works (FAW) is Audis joint venture partner in China, and FAW own Hong Qi, thus technology was shared in exchange for a mass market to sell Audis too (and we’re sure Audi made a lot of this deal) FAW has JV agreements with VW, Mazda, and Toyota, so we’re sure that their future own brands of cars, such as the Besturn will also have some excellent technology under them, but in the meantime, let us look at the Hong Qi C601, the 3 series killer.
Make sure you check out yesterdays posting of the Hong Qi SUV!
We will keep you updated on this motor as and when we get more information!
Hong Qi are the state manufacturers of limosuines, and up market sedans for use by state officials, foreign dignitories, and of course the new bourgeoisie class of Chinese that can afford the Hong Qi cars. Hong Qi basically used existing motors, and put their own badges and branding on them. They’ve so far used the Audi 100 (which they still make) and more recently, the Toyota Crown.
But now it seems, Hong Qi are ready to part with their pre fab motors and start making their own, so they’ve rolled out some SUV and roadster designs.
Click continue reading to see more:
Continue reading ‘Hold on to your hats, Hong Qi roll out an SUV.’
You cant stroll into your local Hong Qi dealer to pick one of these babies, instead you have to go direct to FAW (First Automobile Works) and pick one up yourself, we hope you have deep pockets, as the car will cost you $662,244USD (not RMB, USD!) The Hong Qi limo will be sold in a limited number to the Chinese domestic market and the rest going overseas, probably as gifts to various despotic leaders and failed nations that China likes doing business with.
Hot off the press - Red Flag, the car maker of choice for Chinese statesmen and business leaders who wish to impress with their red modeled Toyotas or Audis, are planning to make a few new cars, obviously they are not intent with their current line up of vehicles and wish to expand it to include a new B class, a new D class, and an SUV vehicle.
Red Flag is currently gearing up to create a new network of service centers that will include both sales, and after sales services across the country. Red Flag was once a major player in the Chinese auto market, but have since lost major ground to foreign and domestic rivals. Red Flag currently only has sales of around 5,000 units per year, which is really not a lot for China (probably because their cars aren’t so cheap) Red Flag hopes that a luxury SUV will boost its sales, as the Chinese people are certainly going a bit SUV crazy lately.
Red Flag, or Hong Qi as its called in Chinese, has been supplying limousines to Chinas leaders since the creation of the Peoples Republic, Red Flag also realised that selling half a dozen or so limousines per year isnt all that profitable, so they branched out and started turning ordinary middle class vehicles into top class luxury vehicles. Red Flag used Audi 100s back in the eighties and nineties to make a whole range of Red Flag luxury vehicles, convertibles, stretched limos, and even a funeral car.
The Red Flag HQ3 (pictured above) is based off a Toyota Crowne Majestica and was unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show in 2006. The pricing for the HQ3 has been announced as starting at 390,980RMB thats $50,485.88USD quite a penny for a Chinese Boss who wants to drive around in luxury.
Excuse the terrible pun.
The Red Flag, or Hong Qi as it’s known in China, car company a part of First Automotive Works (FAW) has finally produced a new car. The original Hong Qi was based on an old Audi 100 design. You see FAW and Audi have had a relationship going back to 1986. FAW used Audi’s 100 design to make their ‘own’ cars for use by the Chinese government and rich Chinese folks. You can still see the old style Hong Qi come Audi 100 on the streets today, but sadly various city governments dropped the Hong Qi like an ex girlfriend in exchange for a newer, racier model from Europe (namely the Audi A6 and VW Passat) The old Hong Qi looked pretty crazy - it had a metal pole going up over the wheel arch, a top of the metal pole was a little red plastic flame that would light up, on the bonnet (thats the cars hood for you American devils) there was a plastic red flag but I’m unsure if that lit up too. Hell, the Chinese government loved it so much, FAW even made a pick up version of it! The Hong Qi didnt really change all that much throughout the Audi relationship, body colored bumpers here and there, and an engine change from Audi to Nissan and then back to Audi in the late 1990’s but nothing until now!
The new Hong Qi, the HQ3, looks absolutly amazing - styled from the Toyota Crown Majesta, but still looking unique enough. Although the HQ3 has come to the dinner party a bit too late, as most of the Chinese elite are busy driving around their A6’s and A8’s now I think in the next 5 years or so, the government will probably want to look for a domesticly produced car, and I think they will look at the HQ3! The HQ3 is by no means a toy - the basic engine is a 3.0L V6 and a larger 4.3 V6 engine , however, the price tag is by no means a toy price, a whopping $75,000USD. The HQ3 went on sale on November 16th, if anyones pockets are deep enough, if you wait a while and your pockets run deeper than $75k, you can get yourself a bullet proof version.
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