What does joint venture car mean?
2 Answers
Joint venture cars refer to projects jointly established by Chinese and foreign investors, where the Chinese side provides land and factory usage rights as well as capital, while the foreign investors contribute brand, technology, capital, talent, and other resources. Examples of joint venture car models include FAW-Volkswagen, FAW-Audi, Dongfeng Citroën, Shanghai GM, Changan Ford, and Changan Suzuki. Taking the Dongfeng Citroën C3L 2020 Manual Yuesheng Edition as an example, it is a compact 4-door 5-seater sedan with body dimensions of 4505mm in length, 1748mm in width, 1513mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2655mm.
Joint-venture cars are vehicles produced through partnerships between Chinese companies and foreign automakers, such as FAW-Volkswagen and GAC-Toyota. I've driven quite a few joint-venture cars and found their quality quite stable—they're comfortable to drive and more affordable than purely imported models. Many joint-venture cars combine foreign technology with local production, featuring durable parts and lower maintenance costs compared to pricier repairs for imported cars. The downside might be the lack of unique design; they’re easily recognizable as joint-venture models and don’t carry a premium vibe. While domestic cars are cheaper, joint-venture models hold advantages in durability and resale value. For everyday car shopping, I’d recommend friends test-drive joint-venture cars first—they offer great overall value, especially for family use. Mine has run for years without major issues, just occasional minor quirks. Don’t forget regular maintenance—joint-venture brand 4S shops generally provide reliable service.
