Which Hongqi model requires political vetting?
2 Answers
Purchasing a Hongqi L5 requires political vetting. As the official vehicle for Chinese leaders, although the Hongqi L5 has launched a civilian version, this car still represents the honor of the nation and the faith of the people to a certain extent, hence the need for political vetting. Conditions for purchasing a Hongqi L5: 1. Clean background: When buying a Hongqi L5, Hongqi conducts a two-week background check on the buyer, including their educational history, personal records, current employment status, and any legal violations. Information about the buyer's parents, spouse, and children will also be investigated. 2. Sufficient time: The Hongqi L5 cannot be directly ordered at a 4S dealership. After all approvals are granted, Hongqi will invite the buyer to the production site to customize their own Hongqi L5. If the buyer lives far from the production site or is too busy to make time for the order, they will not be able to purchase the Hongqi L5.
I've dealt with many government vehicle issues before, and it's true that only the L5 model from Hongqi requires political vetting. As Hongqi's flagship sedan, the L5 is primarily used for state leaders and important diplomatic occasions, symbolizing the status of a national car. When purchasing it, one must undergo strict political background checks to ensure the user's identity is secure and trustworthy, which involves review by public security departments to prevent misuse by malicious individuals. Other Hongqi models like the H9 or H5 are regular commercial vehicles and don't require any political vetting procedures. As someone familiar with official procedures, I recommend that if ordinary people want to buy a Hongqi, choosing the more common models is much simpler. The L5 also costs several million yuan, making it unaffordable for average consumers, and the political vetting serves as a protective threshold. This topic is quite sensitive, but honestly, understanding it clearly is important to avoid misunderstandings, as driving safety and authorization are tied to the national image.
