Car History 4U - History of Chinese Motor Car / Automobile Manufacturers

The First Automobile Works produced their first car, the Hongqi CA770, in 1958. It is considered the first car to be manufactured in China.
The 5700cc, 220 hp car had a V8 engine and was fitted with a 2 speed automatic gear box.
It was first shown to the public during the 10^th National Day parade held in Tian’anmen Square, Beijing, in October 1958. For how long was the CA770 model produced and how many were made?
Other Hongqi CA models produced include the CA71, 72, 772, 760, 7080, 7220 and, until 1998, the 7560 model. Information on these models required.
The First Automobile Works was built between 1953 and 1956 with assistance from the Russian ZIS/ZIL company (see Part 2, The Last 100 Years, Section 8.12.2). It initially produced a medium sized truck based on the ZIS 150 model.
Tianjin Xiali, a subsidiary of FAW, produced the Xiali model range, cars based on the 1987 Daihatsu Charade. These cars include the TJ7100 hatchback and the TJ7101U sedan. Information required. Dates produced, how many, etc.
Tianjin Xiali have produced an electric version of the Daihatsu Move called the Miles ZX40. In 2006 it became the first Chinese built car to be sold in the USA. Information on this car required.
FAW has entered into joint venture manufacturing agreements with Toyota (to produce the Prius/Platz/Vitz); Volkswagen (Jetta/Bora/Sagitar) and Audi (A4/A6L). When were these 3 agreements signed?
By 2004 the company had produced its one millionth car.

8.3.2. Shanghai Automotive Industry

Shanghai Automotive produced their first car in September 1958.
The car was called the ‘Feng Huang’ (The Phoenix) and is believed to have been fitted with either a V8, 150 hp or 2300cc, 4-cylinder, 78 hp, engine. Which is correct? Both?
In 1964 the name was changed from ‘Phoenix’ to Shanghai SH760.
A 760A version was launched in 1968, followed by the 760B version in 1974.
By the time production of the SH760 series ceased, in November 1991, a total of 79,526 cars had been produced. Confirmation of this data required.
In the mid 1980’s (when exactly?) the company formed a joint venture with Volkswagen and started production of the ‘Santana’ (Passat), a mid sized/compact car.

8.3.3. Beijing Automotive Industry

A car called the Beijing BJ750 is believed to have been first produced in 1978. Information required. Dates produced, how many, etc.
The Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corporation, in partnership with the Beijing Jeep Corporation, signed China’s first automotive joint venture in May 1983 with the American Motor Corporation.
The original 30-year joint venture was renewed it with Daimler Chrysler in 2003.
Between 1984 and 2005 the joint venture produced the four-door Jeep Cherokee (XJ) SUV. How many were produced?
Note: AMC was purchased by Chrysler in 1987; who in turn were purchased by Daimler in 2003.
In early 2006 a new joint venture company called Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive (BBDC) started producing Mercedes-Benz E and C class cars. Did this new JV also continue producing the Jeep Cherokee – if so for how long?

8.3.4. Nanjing Automobile Group

The Nanjing Automobile Corporation was originally established in 1947 as a repair facility for the East China Field Army.
In 1996 (check exact date) a joint venture called the Nanjing Fiat Company was formed to produce saloon cars. What models, how many, etc? Were these the first cars ever produced by the Nanjing Corporation/Group?
In July 2005 Nanjing Automobile acquired the remaining assets of the MG Rover Group.

8.3.5. Brilliance China Auto

Brilliance China Auto, also known as Huachen, was formed ...When? Information required.
In August 2002 the Jinbei Automotive Company, a subsidiary of Brilliance China Auto, launched their first car; the ‘Zhonghua’ (China).
Two versions were produced for the Chinese market, the ‘Junjie’ and the more expensive ‘Zunchi’. On which date was each car launched? Zunchi first in 2002?
For the European market the “Junjie” was called the BS4 Splendor, a mid-sized saloon and the “Zunchi” the BS6, an executive saloon.
The Zunchi/BS6, supplied with either a 122 hp 1,997 cc or a 130 hp 2,378 cc petrol engine, has a top speed of either 118 mph (189 kph) or 121mph (194 kph). It accelerates to 62 mph (100 kph) in about 11 seconds.
The 1.8 litre Junjie/BS4 can be supplied with a Mitsubishi engine or one produced by Brilliance. The 134 hp car, which has a five-speed manual gearbox, has a top speed of 115 mph (184 kph).
In 2003 Brilliance China Auto formed a joint venture production agreement with BMW to produce their 3 and 5 series cars.
In 2004 they sold 10,982 Zhonghua cars and 8,708 BMW cars.
About 100,000 cars were manufactured in 2006, of which 22,000 were BMWs.
The company produced the 1.8 litre Zhonghua M3 concept car in November 2006, a car with a top speed of 138 mph (220 kph).

8.3.6. Donfeng Motor Corporation

Information required.

8.3.7. Chang’an Motors

Information required.

8.3.8. Chery Automobile

Information required.

8.3.9. Car Production in China

In 1992 1 million automobiles of all types (cars, vans, trucks, etc) were produced in China. This figure increased to 2.07 million in 2000, 7.28 million in 2006 and 8.88 million in 2007. Double check these figures.
In 2005 the following companies had joint ventures in China: Daihatsu, General Motors, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot-Citroen, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen.
The top five producers of vehicles in China in 2005 were Volkswagen (430,592), General Motors (308,290), Honda (254,820), Nissan (166,938) and Toyota (146,943).
By the end of 2006 there were over 6,300 enterprises producing automobiles in China and a reported 11.49 million privately owned cars.
In 2006 China produced more automobiles than Germany, becoming the world’s third largest automobile manufacturer.
In 2006 Toyota sold about 2,000 hybrid cars in China.

8.3.10. Other Information

For information on a steam powered trolley ‘car’ built in China in about 1672 see Part 1, The Early History, Section 3.2.
The first car to be driven in China was brought into the country in 1902 for use by Empress Dowager Ci Xi. It was made by the American Duryea Brothers.
The 4 hp car had a wooden body and a double row of seats. It was fitted with pneumatic tyres and was fitted with a kerosene lamp.
It was driven by Sun Fuling. Because he was in the presence of the Empress there is a report that she initially ordered him to kneel whilst driving the car.
For additional information about cars in China see the links listed in the Historical & General Information and Car Forums sections.
Information on cars used in China between 1902 and 1958 required.

8.3.11. Other Chinese Automobile Companies

Guangzhou Automobile Industry, Tianjin Automobile Industry, Changhe, Hafei Motor, BYD Auto, Changfeng Automobile, Geely Automobile, Great Wall Motors.

8.3.12. Chinese Car Web Sites
- China Motor Vehicle Documentation Centre
- AutoZine
- China Car Forums
- Auto News China

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