What brand is Kuangshi Auto?
4 Answers
Kuangshi Auto is an SUV model under Hubei Daye Hanlong Automobile Co., Ltd. Taking the 2020 Kuangshi as an example, its body dimensions are: length 4985mm, width 1995mm, height 1819mm, wheelbase 2997mm, minimum ground clearance 215mm, fuel tank capacity 74L, and trunk capacity 458L. The 2020 Kuangshi is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, with a maximum power of 160kW and maximum torque of 370Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It adopts a front suspension type of double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear suspension type of multi-link independent suspension.
I'm a long-time fan of the automotive industry, always keeping an eye on new brands. Kuangshi Motors isn't actually an independent major brand, but rather refers to the models under Hanlong Kuangshi, which belonged to Hanlong Auto - a company that later ceased production. Hanlong was a subsidiary brand under Zotye Group, and they launched this vehicle to compete in the SUV market, emphasizing luxury at an affordable price. After its launch in 2019, it gained quite some popularity with its Land Rover Range Rover-like exterior, over 5-meter length, and features like four-wheel drive and a V6 engine, starting at around 200,000 RMB, which attracted many buyers. Unfortunately, frequent quality issues such as powertrain failures and interior rattles led to declining sales, ultimately causing the brand to fade away. Honestly, this serves as a reminder that domestic car manufacturers need to solidify their technology foundation rather than relying solely on marketing. SUVs like the Haval H9 have also taken wrong turns but managed to stabilize. Overall, Kuangshi is a case of rapid failure, offering valuable lessons on innovation and integrity in the automotive industry.
I've driven the Hanlong Kuangshi SUV, and it was quite a unique experience. This model is the flagship of the Hanlong brand, marketed as a full-size luxury SUV equipped with a 2.0T engine delivering a maximum power of 218 horsepower. The acceleration is decent, but fuel consumption is high. It features a body-on-frame chassis with massive interior space—the rear seats can even fold flat to serve as a bed, making it great for family trips. The price was very affordable, with the top trim initially priced just over 200,000 yuan, including features like a panoramic sunroof and an intelligent infotainment system. However, the issues lie in the details: noticeable door rattling, frequent air conditioning failures, and excessive road noise. Word is that Hanlong's quality control was subpar, with rough production lines, ultimately leading to its market exit. As an owner, I feel this highlights the reliability shortcomings of domestic brands—they could learn from Geely or BYD. For those considering a similar SUV, I'd recommend test-driving other brands first, as quality should always be the priority.
Having observed the automotive industry for years, the Hanlong Kuangshi is quite a typical case. Manufactured by Hanlong Motors, it gained some popularity around 2020 as a large SUV positioned as premium but sold at a low price. Hanlong relied on mimicking luxury car designs to attract attention, such as a front end resembling the Range Rover and interiors wrapped in genuine leather. Technically, it offered both gasoline and hybrid versions, with average power output but notable space advantages. However, the market competition was too fierce—it was overshadowed by the Haval H9 and Geely Boyue, coupled with poor quality control and a rollercoaster of complaints. The brand soon collapsed. This teaches us that automotive brands cannot survive without core technology; they must rely on independent R&D. Today, new players like Li Auto are steadily advancing, and the lessons from Kuangshi are worth noting.
