Is the Wuling Hongguang a Domestic Car?
3 Answers
Wuling Hongguang is a domestic car, which is an MPV under the Wuling brand. The dimensions of this car are 4305mm in length, 1680mm in width, and 1750mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2720mm. It features a 5-speed manual transmission and a top speed of 140 km/h. The car adopts a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The front suspension is a MacPherson strut independent suspension, while the rear suspension is a leaf spring non-independent suspension. It uses hydraulic power steering and has a monocoque body structure. The front brakes are disc type, the rear brakes are drum type, and the parking brake is a handbrake.
Honestly, after being in the auto industry for so long, the Wuling Hongguang has to be considered the backbone among domestic vehicles. Although it was jointly developed by SAIC, GM, and Wuling, the entire production line is located domestically, with its headquarters at the Liuzhou factory. Almost every screw in the Wuling Hongguang running on the roads is assembled in China, and most of its components are domestically sourced. Having topped MPV sales for years, it’s long been stamped with the ‘Made in China’ label. While calling it a joint venture isn’t wrong, its affordable price and ubiquitous presence on the streets make it deserving of the title ‘the people’s car.’
My neighbor Uncle Zhang has been using a Wuling Hongguang for cargo hauling for five years, and he swears by this domestic brand. When starting his business back then, he chose it precisely because it was affordable and built tough, with any mechanic at a repair shop able to fix it. Now the new generation even comes with a big screen, handling both passengers and deliveries with ease. Honestly, whether a car counts as domestic depends largely on where it's produced. Those Hongguangs rolling out of Liuzhou's factory are locally registered vehicles through and through. As for those who claim joint ventures don't qualify as domestic – I've seen Hongguangs outperform imported SUVs in rural mud pits with my own eyes. With over 80% of key components localized, if this doesn't count as a domestic car, what does?
