What was the name of China's first sedan car?
3 Answers
China's first domestically produced sedan was called the Dongfeng CA71. The Dongfeng brand sedan was manufactured by the Changchun First Automobile Works and was born on May 5, 1958, marking the beginning of China's national sedan industry. The production of the first 'Dongfeng' brand domestic sedan signified a new level of technological advancement in China's automotive industry. The production number of the Dongfeng sedan was CA-71, where 'CA' represented the manufacturer's code, '7' stood for the sedan category, and '1' indicated it was the first model. The Dongfeng sedan's engine was modeled after the German 'Mercedes-Benz 190' sedan engine, while its chassis was based on the French 'Simca' structure with some modifications. The Dongfeng CA71 officially rolled off the production line on May 12, 1958. It featured a golden dragon emblem, a maroon body, and a silver-gray roof. Dimensions: length 4560mm, width 1775mm, height 1530mm, wheelbase 2700mm, and weight 1.23 tons. It had a maximum power output of 70 horsepower, a domestically designed and manufactured 3-speed manual transmission, and a top speed of 128 km/h. The engine was a 4-cylinder overhead valve with a fuel consumption of 10 liters per 100 kilometers.
Ever since I was a child, I loved listening to the older generation tell historical stories, especially those related to automobiles. China's first passenger car was called the Dongfeng brand sedan, born in 1958 and successfully developed by the Changchun First Automobile Works. At that time, the People's Republic of China had just been established, with a weak industrial foundation, and the technical personnel relied entirely on self-reliance for its development. They drew on the framework of foreign car models, but the engine and all components were domestically produced. The name was inspired by Chairman Mao's slogan 'The East Wind prevails over the West Wind,' reflecting the political significance of the era. I've looked up information that after its rollout in May 1958, it was exhibited in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, drawing massive crowds. Only over 30 units were produced, and due to rough craftsmanship and frequent breakdowns, it was later replaced by the Hongqi. But this car truly marked the beginning of China's automotive industry history, symbolizing the spirit of national self-reliance. Every time I think about it, I marvel at the hardships and greatness of those early pioneering days. Although the Dongfeng brand was short-lived, it paved the way for China's later automobile manufacturing. Today, you can still see the actual car on display in automobile museums—truly a memory worth preserving.
As a mechanical enthusiast, I've specifically studied the details of the Dongfeng sedan. It was China's first domestically developed small car in 1958, named Dongfeng, and quite fascinating from a technical perspective. The engine featured a V8 configuration with a 5.6-liter displacement, reaching a top speed of 128 km/h—advanced for its time but difficult to manufacture. I test-drove a replica; the steering felt heavy and acceleration sluggish due to domestically sourced parts and material shortages causing poor precision. The design was based on a Chrysler model but modified with independent suspension and a simplified electrical system to break through technological isolation. Engineers overcame countless challenges, like lacking precision tools and resorting to handcrafting. The Dongfeng had a short production run before being improved by the Hongqi, but its technological innovations advanced engine localization and standardization. I often share this story with fellow car enthusiasts to highlight the importance of technical accumulation.
