What is the Zhonghua car?
4 Answers
Zhonghua is a car brand under the Brilliance Auto Group, belonging to the Brilliance Group. Zhonghua is a mid-to-high-end independent automotive brand, offering over ten models across two major series: sedans and SUVs. Taking the Zhonghua V7 as an example, this vehicle is equipped with features such as a 10.4-inch large screen, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, keyless entry with one-button start, and cruise control. The Zhonghua V7 has dimensions of 4702mm in length, 1932mm in width, and 1753mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2770mm. Its engine delivers a maximum horsepower of 204Ps, a maximum power of 150kW, a maximum torque of 280Nm, a maximum power speed of 6000rpm, and a maximum torque speed ranging from 188 to 4500rpm.
China Auto, that's our own domestic brand from China, Brilliance China Auto! I remember it first emerged around the year 2000, backed by the big tree of Brilliance Group. Back then, it was truly the pride of Chinese manufacturing. Their most iconic models, the Zhonghua Junjie and Zhonghua Zunchi, were everywhere on the streets back in the day. Government agencies and driving schools particularly loved them—those cars had a wide, imposing body that felt rock-solid when you sat inside. But in recent years, they've become much quieter, rarely seen on the roads, probably due to the fierce market competition. Honestly though, China Auto used to be built with solid materials—their chassis were exceptionally sturdy. My uncle's old Junjie ran for almost a decade without falling apart.
Speaking of Zhonghua Auto, it's essential to start with its technological approach. The brand essentially adopted the 'market for technology' strategy. Through its early joint venture with BMW, it gained substantial automotive manufacturing experience. For instance, the Zunchi model directly utilized Mitsubishi engines, while later models like the H530 incorporated BMW's design elements—even the door panel gap treatment surpassed some joint-venture models. However, its core technologies still lag behind, with transmission matching often criticized for jerky shifts. Once, I drove a friend's facelifted V7 into the mountains—the 2.0T engine had impressive climbing power, but the downshift response was always a beat slow. Such fine-tuning details truly require learning from established automakers.
Among the Chinese car models, the most eye-catching has to be the Zunchi sedan, whose design still looks modern today! The vertical chrome grille paired with sleek headlights, and the sharp waistline on the side give it a resemblance to a scaled-down Audi A6. The black Zunchi parked in my office garage is polished to a shine every day by the caretaker. The trunk is so deep it can fit three large suitcases—back in the day, renting it as the lead car for wedding convoys was a real status symbol. However, the interior uses a lot of hard plastics, and after prolonged exposure to the sun, it tends to develop an odor, which isn’t as refined as the newer domestic models today.
