Why Can't Ordinary People Buy Hongqi?
3 Answers
Ordinary people cannot buy Hongqi because it requires a political review. Here is some relevant information about Hongqi: Brand Philosophy: Hongqi is a premium automobile brand directly operated by FAW (First Automobile Works). On January 8, 2018, FAW announced the new Hongqi brand strategy, adopting "Chinese New Noble Delicacy" as its brand philosophy. Strategic Goals: The strategic goal of the new Hongqi brand is to establish it as a "New Noble Brand" that is "China's First and World-Famous," meeting consumers' aspirations for a "better life and wonderful mobility" in the new era, and shouldering the historical mission of strengthening China's automotive industry.
Why can't ordinary people afford Hongqi cars? I think it has a lot to do with the brand positioning. In the early years, Hongqi was mainly used by leaders, such as parade vehicles, which gave it a very high-end image, and the price was naturally extremely expensive, often ranging from 500,000 to even millions. The average office worker earns only a few thousand or tens of thousands per month, making it nearly impossible to save enough money in a lifetime. Additionally, there were very few dealerships back then, and many cities didn’t even have 4S stores, making test drives difficult—ordinary people had no chance to even touch one. Nowadays, although more affordable models like the Hongqi H5 have been introduced, with prices dropping to around 200,000, the brand's deep-rooted image as a luxury item still lingers, psychologically keeping people away. When actually shopping, salespeople also tend to recommend high-end models, rarely mentioning entry-level options, which misleads ordinary buyers into thinking they can't afford one. In short, historical reasons and price barriers are the key factors.
As someone who has witnessed the changes in the automotive market, Hongqi cars used to be exclusively for officials and elite circles, almost inaccessible to the general public. I remember back then, buying a Hongqi required special connections, with some models even needing government approval—ordinary people without those connections didn’t stand a chance. The pricing was also a major hurdle, with base models starting at 300,000 to 400,000 yuan, featuring luxurious configurations like genuine leather seats and premium sound systems, not to mention higher ownership costs with insurance and maintenance fees significantly above average. Nowadays, the market has opened up a bit, with more affordable models like the Hongqi HS5 available for around 200,000 yuan. Yet, most average consumers still prioritize economical and practical Japanese or domestic brands, leaving Hongqi overlooked. Sales data shows it holds a small share of the overall market, and with limited marketing, the brand continues to feel out of reach for many. From a demand perspective, ordinary buyers want fuel-efficient and durable cars—qualities Hongqi hasn’t traditionally been associated with.
