Hongqi () is a Chinese luxury car brand which is owned and operated by FAW Group. Hongqi was launched in 1958, making it the oldest Chinese passenger car brand.About FAW > Key Events First Automobile Works official site In Chinese, hongqi means "red banner."
Originally, Hongqi models were made exclusively for high-ranking government officials. They ceased production in 1981, but were later resurrected in the mid-1990s.
History Origins to 1991
While the name has endured, the vehicles that bear the brand name have varied significantly. Originally a dignitary's car, the brand's later vehicles have ranged from serving as taxisHongqi Mingshi Enters Daqing Taxi Market First Automobile Works official site, Oct 13, 2005 to low-end business sedans; during the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China parade, the brand returned to its roots by carrying party leaders.
The original Hongqi cars were a luxury item used for the transport of foreign dignitaries and the party elite. Although Chairman Mao Zedong 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.
Introduced on 1 August 1958, the first Hongqi was the CA72. By September, a convertible version intended to be used by dignitaries in National Day parades had appeared. The CA72's design was based on a 1955 Chrysler. From the beginning, the full-size Hongqi was equipped with a V8 engine. 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 had remained in production until 1980, albeit in limited numbers. Around 1,600 of these V8-engined Hongqis were built in total, 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).
1991 to 2018 Between 1995 and 2006, foreign products were manufactured in China and sold as Hongqi models. These included the Audi 100 (CA7200/CA7220) and the Lincoln Town Car (CA7460). There were two Audi 100-based versions—the more luxurious "Century Star" and the smaller (1.8-litre) Hongqi Mingshi.Fuel Saving Match of New Hongqi Mingshi Ended First Automobile Works official site, Aug 16, 2005 8:23 AM
FAW began production of the third generation of Hongqi vehicles in 2006. 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. By October 2007, the price was reduced considerably and the name changed to Shengshi ("Days of Prosperity") in order to better appeal to private buyers. Sales during the first half of 2007 were all from inventory and totalled 788.
Debuting by 2013, 30,000 units of the latest Hongqi model were initially expected to be produced, though a year after launch, less than 5,000 had been sold. Sales are through government procurement; the car is billed as "the official car for minister-level officials." In 2014, the People's Liberation Army purchased at least 1,000 H7 models. A much more expensive model, the L5, was also on sale alongside the H7.
2018 to present FAW Group held the "Hongqi Brand Strategy Conference" in Beijing's Great Hall of the People on the evening of 8 January 2018. In this conference, the new Hongqi design was released, with a concept car model on display. A new logo was also released at the same time.
In September 2018, British car designer Giles Taylor joined the FAW Group as Global Vice President of Design and Chief Creative Officer for Hongqi. From 2018 to 2021, the brand experienced extremely high growth, from 33,000 units in 2018 to over 100,000 in 2019, over 200,000 in 2020, and over 300,000 in 2021, a growth of 63 times in 4 years.
On 8 January 2023, the Hongqi brand released its global strategy for new energy vehicles.
In 2023, Hongqi launched two product lines, "Hongqi Golden Sunflower" and "Hongqi New Energy", based on the main brand, focusing on ultra-luxury cars and pure electric cars respectively.
In 2023, the brand re-entered the minibus market for the first time since selling the Hongqi CA630 minibus in the 1980s, with the 23-seat Hongqi QM7.
In 2023, FAW had internally announced the establishment of the Hongqi Brand Operations Committee and carried out a series of organizational and personnel adjustments.
Current products
Marketed vehicles
For the general public sale, Hongqi has three product lines: the Golden Sunflower series for ultra luxury models, the Energy-Saving series is for the transitional internal combustion engine models, and the New Energy series for electric models.
Golden Sunflower Guoli/L5 ultra-luxury full-size sedan, ICE Guoya/L1 luxury full-size sedan, HEV Guoyao/LS7 luxury full-size SUV, ICE Guoyue/QM7 single-decker minibus, ICE
Sedans E-QM5 compact sedan, EV H5 compact sedan, ICE/HEV/PHEV Tiangong 05/EH5 compact sedan, EV H6 mid-size liftback sedan, ICE EH7 mid-size sedan, EV H7 full-size sedan, PHEV H9 full-size sedan, ICE
SUVs HS3 compact SUV, ICE/PHEV Tiangong 06/EHS5 compact SUV, EV HS5 mid-size SUV, ICE/PHEV HS6 mid-size SUV, PHEV HS7 mid-size SUV, ICE/PHEV Tiangong 08/EHS7 mid-size SUV, BEV HS9 full-size SUV, PHEV E-HS9 full-size SUV, BEV
MPV HQ9 full-size MPV, ICE/PHEV
Official state cars Before 2014, Chinese paramount leaders generally used vehicles supplied by the host country when visiting a foreign country. This custom began to change in November 2014, when President Xi Jinping, brought his own Hongqi L5 presidential car on a state visit to New Zealand as an official state car.
Traditionally, the Chinese paramount leaders used Hongqi as ceremonial cars in the anniversary parade of the People's Republic of China. The ceremonial cars like CA7600J, CA772TJ, CA770TJ and CA7601J are more retro-looking which inherited from CA72, the very first model of Hongqi brand which used by Chairman Mao Zedong on 10th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
The Chinese Government uses Hongqi primarily as state guest car to host foreign head of state. The current state guest car fleet consists of Hongqi L5 and its variants L7 and L9. These vehicles are not available for sale to the public. Model Debuted Length NotesPresidential car Hongqi N701 2022 Debuted in visit to Hong Kong by President Xi Jinping during 25th anniversary of handover. Identifiable via lengthened rear windows. Current presidential car of China. Hongqi N501 2016 5,500 mm. Debuted in state visit to Rwanda by President Xi Jinping in 2018. Based on Hongqi L5 with modern stylingHongqi L520145,555 mmDebuted as the presidential car in state visit to New Zealand by President Xi Jinping in 2014 Developed from CA7600J.Ceremonial car Hongqi CA7601J 2019 Debuted in 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China military parade in 2019 and also used for 2025 China Victory Day Parade by President Xi Jinping in 2025.Hongqi CA7600J20096,400 mmDebuted in 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China military parade by President Hu Jintao in 2009 Also used in 2015 China Victory Day Parade by President Xi Jinping.Hongqi CA772TJ19995,980 mmDebuted in 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China military parade by President Jiang Zemin in 1999Hongqi CA770TJ19845,980 mmDebuted in 35th anniversary of the People's Republic of China military parade by paramount leader Deng Xiaoping in 1984Hongqi CA7219595,500 mmDebuted in 10th anniversary of the People's Republic of China military parade by Chairman Mao Zedong in 1959State guest carHongqi L920136,400 mm, wheelbase 3900mmDeveloped from CA7600J. Hongqi L7 2012 6,097 mm, wheelbase 3,600 mm. Developed from CA7600J. Hongqi L5 2012 5,555 mm, wheelbase 3,435 mm. Used for foreign dignitaries. First used to ferry French President François Hollande in 2013. The official state version equipped with 6.0 litre engine and not sold to public
Developed from CA7600J.
Former models
Post-2010s
Pre-2010s Production dates Model designationPicture Note 1958 Dongfeng CA71(东风 East Wind) GAZ-21 body and chassis, Mercedes-Benz 190 engine 1958–1965 CA72 1955 Imperial C-69 sedan 1966–1981 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. 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. 1987 CA750F CA760 Dodge 600, did not enter production 1989 CA7225LH Audi 100 1992–1995 CA7560CA7560LH (LWB) Few examples built, modernized 770. 1993–1996 CA7221L Audi 100 1993–1998 CA1021U3 pickup Audi 100 1995–1997 CA7465C8 Lincoln Town Car 1996–2004 CA7200 CA7220 Audi 100 1996–2005 CA5020XJB
CA7228L
CA7226L Audi 100 1997 CA7220EL1 Audi 100 1997 CA7220L1 Audi 100 1998 CA7240L Audi 100 1998 CA7200E3L CA7247L Audi 100 1998–2005 CA7460
CA7460L1
CA7460L2
CA7460L3
(Flagship 旗舰) Lincoln Town Car 1998 CA7220A9EL1
CA7220A9EL2
CA7220A9EL2A2 Audi 100 1999 CA7220A9E Audi 100 2000–2006 CA7202E3
CA7242E6
CA7182E7
(Century Star 世纪星) Audi 100 2000–2005 CA7203E3L (Century Star 世纪星) Audi 100 2001–2003 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 2006–2010For 2006 start date, see A Moving Launch for FAW's New Hongqi HQ3 First Automobile Works official site, Dec 20, 2006 For 2010 end date, see HQ3 Shengshi
HQ430
(盛世 Days of Prosperity) Toyota Crown Majesta 2009 HQE2009CA7600J
Concept cars
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.
A Hongqi SUV concept was unveiled at the 2007 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.
At the 2015 Shanghai International Auto Exhibition, Hongqi displayed a concept SUV radically different from its 2007 entry.
At the 2018 Beijing International Auto Exhibition, Hongqi unveiled the electric sports car E-Jing GT Concept.
At the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, Hongqi unveiled the sports car S9 and the SUV E115.
At the 2021 Shanghai International Auto Exhibition, Hongqi unveiled the luxury limousine L-Concept.
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.Unveiling the President's car at Chinese National Day military parade xinhuanet.com, 2009-10-01 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). This model has since been shown at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show as the CA7600L. It is equipped with a 6.0 L V12 engine developed in-house.
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, 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.
E-LS