
Hongqi sedans are produced by China FAW Group Corporation. The Hongqi sedan models include: Hongqi H9, Hongqi H7, Hongqi L5, Hongqi H5, Hongqi Flagship, etc. Taking the 2020 Hongqi H9 as an example, its body structure is a 4-door, 5-seater sedan with dimensions of length 5137mm, width 1904mm, height 1493mm, a wheelbase of 3060mm, a trunk capacity of 370L, and a curb weight of 1875kg. The 2020 Hongqi H9 features a front suspension with a double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear suspension with a trapezoidal control arm multi-link independent suspension. It is equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged engine delivering a maximum horsepower of 252PS, a maximum power of 185kW, and a maximum torque of 380Nm, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

I remember the Hongqi brand has quite a prestigious background—it's the favored child of FAW Group! Its full name is China FAW Group Corporation, headquartered in Changchun. When the first Hongqi sedan was manufactured back then, the whole nation was thrilled. With its majestic black body and that striking red accent on the front, driving it on Tiananmen Square was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Nowadays, Hongqi's lineup has grown increasingly diverse, featuring luxury sedans like the H9, SUVs such as the HS5 and HS7, and even electric vehicles that are impressively well-made. Every time I see a new Hongqi model at an auto show, I'm struck by how the design blends modernity with Chinese aesthetics—the headlights resemble the decisive strokes of calligraphy, while the taillights look like flags unfurling in the wind. Driving one on the street is guaranteed to turn heads.

Research shows Hongqi has a well-established production system, primarily manufactured at its Changchun production base which features highly intelligent production lines. FAW built a dedicated new H Plant for Hongqi, employing fully automated welding and laser inspection technologies. Interestingly, their engine plant organizes production by series – for instance, the 4.0T V8 engines exclusively for the L-series luxury vehicles are assembled in a separate workshop. In recent years, their new energy vehicle factory commenced operations, where EV models like the E-HS9 have their packs assembled in sealed dust-free workshops. A recent report mentioned each vehicle undergoes three-stage gap inspections, stricter than many luxury brands.

Speaking of Hongqi, this is the 'National Car' of us Chinese, the premium brand born under FAW. Starting from the first hand-built Hongqi CA72 in 1958, this brand has carried a special mission. It used to appear only on important occasions, but now it has flown into ordinary households! My neighbor uncle bought an HS5 last year, saying driving it back to the village feels more prestigious than a Mercedes. The red vertical emblem design on the front has evolved over sixty years, now becoming a continuous red light strip on the H9, glowing at night like flowing cinnabar, perfectly showcasing Eastern aesthetics. This ability to integrate cultural symbols into truly requires the capability of a major manufacturer.

Anyone following the automotive industry knows that Hongqi is now wholly owned and operated under FAW Group. After the 2018 brand strategy adjustment, the changes have been particularly significant, with the new Hongqi Center located in Changchun Automobile Development Zone. During my last visit, I noticed a detail: the mass production workshop is divided into two areas - the western zone produces traditional fuel vehicles, while the eastern zone is dedicated to pure electric vehicle production lines. Their extended limousines are still handcrafted in a special workshop, with a customization cycle taking three months. What surprised me is that some models of the new H9 have started using CATL batteries, which broke my impression that they only used their own technology.

A couple of days ago, I went to the Hongqi 4S store for and had a chat with the after-sales technician. He mentioned that the best-selling HS5 is currently produced at the Changchun base, where over 2,800 welding spots on the entire vehicle are completed by robots. However, the leather stitching and wood grain trim panels are still assembled manually by experienced craftsmen. In the showroom, the newly arrived electric sedan E-QM5 has its battery pack assembled in a temperature-controlled workshop, with each module undergoing a separate 48-hour water immersion test. The staff mentioned that a branch factory might be established in the south in the future, but for now, all vehicles bearing the Hongqi emblem are produced in the north. Seeing the technicians in beige workwear in the workshop photos meticulously inspecting the gaps of the car lights, their dedication truly lives up to the reputation of the national car brand.


