Hongqi (simplified Chinese: 红旗; traditional Chinese: 紅旗) is a luxury car brand of First Automobile Works. These cars were the first domestically produced Chinese passenger vehicles.[1]
First manufactured in 1958, the original Hongqi models were only for high-ranking party elite[2] and remained in production until 1981. Today, party officials commonly prefer Audis.[3]
In Chinese hongqi means "red flag",[2] a communist symbol.
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While the name has endured, it has been affixed to all manner of vehicles. The erstwhile dignitary's car[4] has become a taxi,[5] a cut-rate businessman's sedan,[6] and during the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China parade, returned to its roots and participated by carrying party leaders.[7]
The original Hongqi cars were a luxury item used to ferry foreign dignitaries to and fro.[4] It is unknown how much everyday use they saw from party elite. Introduced on August 1 1958, the CA72 was the first Hongqi. By September, a convertible version appeared, intended for use by the Chinese Communist Party leadership during National Day parades,[8] and particularly for use at the tenth anniversary celebration of the Chinese Revolution. The design was based on a 1955 Chrysler.[9]
From the beginning, the Hongqi was equipped with a 147 kW (200 PS; 197 hp) V8 engine, and in 1965 a lengthened version with three rows of seats appeared.[8] In 1969, an armored version (CA772) appeared.[8]
The CA770 is the Hongqi model that defines the brand, and it remained in production until 1981 albeit in limited numbers. Although Chairman Mao didn't actually ride in a Hongqi until Nixon's 1972 visit, he did take a personal interest in the cars from the beginning.[10]
Between 1995 and 2006 some license-built versions of foreign cars were re-badged (and in the case of the Audis, also available lengthened) and sold as Hongqi models.
These include the Audi 100[11] (CA7200/CA7220) and the Lincoln Town Car[9] (CA7460). The Audi 100-based versions were later complemented by the more luxurious "Century Star" series, which was also available with a longer wheelbase and as a state convertible, as well as the smaller (1.8-litre) Hongqi Mingshi.[12]
FAW began production of the latest Hongqi to go on sale in 2006.[13] Named the HQ3 and based on the Toyota Crown Majesta, it fared poorly.
First year sales totaled near 500, and while the target for the second was increased to 1,400, the HQ3 would not be profitable until annual sales of 5,000 were reached,[14] something that may never have happened.
By October 2008 the price was reduced considerably and the name changed from Hongqi HQ3 to Shengshi (“Days of Prosperity") in order to better appeal to private buyers. Sales during the first half of 2008 were a mere 788 units–all from inventory.[6]
At the 2005 Shanghai International Auto Exhibition a Hongqi HQD concept car was displayed.[15] In 2009 First Automobile Works planned to release the Hongqi HQE[16] its design based on that of the 2005 concept.[14]
The HQE was used by Paramount Leader Hu Jintao during parades celebrating the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.[7] Volume production is reportedly to begin in 2011; the retail price per unit could reach 1.2 million US dollars, which would make it the most expensive Chinese-built car ever.[17]
The car has since been shown at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show as the CA7600L. It is equipped with a 300 kW (408 PS; 402 hp) 6.0 L V12 engine developed in-house.[18]
In 2010 FAW announced plans to revive its domestic luxury car brand. Four models will be available, at least one of which may be based on the most recent generation of Audi A6 (C6). This car, the Hongqi C131, is planned to go on sale in early 2012.[19]
The products of a lesser FAW luxury brand, Besturn, may be easily confused with those of Hongqi. In 2008, due to flagging sales, Hongqi showrooms were merged with those of the then recently developed Besturn brand.[20] It was thought that giving the Hongqi brand more sales outlets would increase turnover.[21] At the 2010 Beijing Auto Show Besturn models were shown "under the Hongqi naming series",[22] and until 2011 the two brands both used the Hongqi badging.[23]
| Year | Model | Chinese Name | English Name | Origination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958[4] | Dongfeng CA71[4] | 东风 | East Wind[10] | Simca VDT body and chassis, Mercedes-Benz 190 engine[4] |
| 1958 | CA72 | 红旗 | Red Flag | A 1955 Chrysler model[9] |
| 1965-1981 | CA770 series | 红旗 | Red Flag | |
| 1995[24] | CA7200[25]/CA7220[24] | 红旗 | Red Flag | Audi 100[25] |
| 1998[26] | CA7460[26]/CA7460L2[26] | 红旗旗舰 | Hongqi Limousine[27] | Lincoln Town Car[26] |
| 2000[4] | CA7202E3[4]/CA7242E6/CA7182E7 | 红旗世纪星 | Hongqi Century Star[28] | Audi 200 |
| In production as of 2005[5] | CA7180 | 红旗明仕 | Hongqi Mingshi | Audi 100 |
| 2006[29] | Hongqi HQ3[29]/Shengshi[6]/HQ430[13] | 红旗盛世 | Red Flag HQ3/Days of Prosperity/HQ430[13] | Toyota Crown Majesta[10] |
| Shown in 2009,[14] private sales may begin in 2011[17] | Hongqi HQE[30]/Hongqi CA7600L[18] | 红旗HQE | Red Flag HQE | CA7600L as seen in 2009 is self-developed,[30] but the production version HQE is thought to receive a chassis derived from the Toyota Landcruiser Prado[31] |