
Beijing Automobile Works BJ212, BJ212 (hereinafter referred to as Jeep/212) is the earliest passenger car produced in China. As early as 1965, the BJ212 was born. From the time when Chairman Mao Zedong, the first-generation leader of New China, rode in an open-top 212 to review the Red Guards to the present, the 212 has gone through 50 years, with a market ownership of 600,000 units. It has many derivative models, including open-top and pickup versions, among others. The BJ212 has a simple structure and is easy to repair. In the era of material shortages at that time, the BJ212 once shone brightly. With strong off-road capability, lightweight, and rugged reliability, even today, the 212 remains a "sacred vehicle" for many off-road enthusiasts, being an excellent choice for practice or off-roading. Below is relevant information: Appearance: The current 212 adopts two door forms: triangular doors and square doors. The vehicle is extremely simple, with round headlights retaining the design from the last century. The square turn signals and fog lights are primarily practical. The bulging hood gives a sense of strength, paired with the classic dark green body, making it a scenic sight wherever it goes. In terms of body size, the BJ212 measures 408018401870mm, with a wheelbase of 2300mm. The shorter body is very helpful for off-road capability. Interior: The BJ212 still adopts a utilitarian design. After the facelift, the model has added modern equipment such as a radio and air conditioning. The dashboard and steering wheel are extremely simple in style, as the simpler the design, the more reliable it is for frequently traveling in uninhabited areas or harsh conditions. Additionally, the vehicle's lighting controls still maintain the previous lever-style, with a retro look that evokes nostalgia.

During my military service, I drove many vehicles, with the Dongfeng Mengshi being the most common. This vehicle is exceptionally rugged and durable, capable of traversing deserts and plateaus with ease. The main transport workhorse was the Shaanxi Heavy Duty Truck, which was very stable for hauling equipment. In the past, we used the BAW Warrior, which, despite being noisy, had a high enough chassis to patrol even during heavy rain. For command vehicles, we preferred the Liebao Heijingang due to its spacious interior for equipment. Nowadays, special forces are equipped with the Xiaolong off-road vehicle, reportedly capable of wading through water up to 1.5 meters deep. In fact, the types of logistics vehicles are quite varied, with Sinotruk Howo used for fuel tankers and Iveco for medical vehicles. The proportion of domestic vehicles is increasingly higher.

When studying military vehicles, I noticed that the military places great emphasis on functionality when selecting vehicles. For armored vehicles, there are tracked infantry fighting vehicles from Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group, and riot control vehicles modified from Dongfeng off-road chassis for wheeled versions. Missile tractors are all massive vehicles produced by Taian Special Vehicle, with a load capacity starting at 40 tons. My old squad leader mentioned that they used Soviet GAZ trucks in the past, but now they've all been replaced by Shacman Delong trucks, which have lower fuel consumption and are easier to repair. For communication command vehicles, they prefer the Iveco 2046, as its cabin is well-sealed and resistant to interference. The truck company uses Hongyan Jieshi trucks equipped with armored plates, specifically for transporting rocket artillery. After equipment updates, Beiben heavy trucks have also become common.

Back in my grandfather's days when he served in the military, they drove Liberation CA10 trucks, with the cargo bed packed with over a dozen soldiers. Nowadays, the domestic production level has significantly improved. New recruits train using Dongfeng EQ2102 off-road vehicles, featuring six-wheel drive perfect for field operations. The mess squad delivers meals in Foton View vans, while refrigerated trucks are modified from JAC Shualing. High-altitude troops are equipped with BAW Warriors that handle slopes exceptionally steadily, and the maintenance shops are stocked with Sinotruk parts. Those missile vehicles in parades are mostly built on Hanyang HY series special chassis - military versions unavailable to civilian buyers.


