Why doesn't Baojun have a P gear?
3 Answers
Baojun doesn't have a P gear because it uses an AMT transmission, which isn't a true automatic transmission. Without a P gear, it operates similarly to a manual transmission. AMT Transmission: The gear section of an AMT transmission follows the structure of a manual transmission, but employs an electronically controlled shifting mechanism. Its control panel only features R, N, D gears and manual shifting + and - positions, lacking the P parking gear found in conventional automatic transmissions. The advantage lies in maintaining the fuel efficiency of manual transmissions, offering significantly better fuel economy compared to typical AT transmissions. However, its shifting logic is inferior, with noticeable gearshift impacts, resulting in far less comfort than AT automatic transmissions. How to operate without a P gear: After parking, simply shift to N gear and engage the handbrake, operating the same way as manual transmission vehicles.
To be honest, as a car enthusiast, I've always been quite interested in brand design. Baojun is a domestic Chinese brand under SAIC-GM-Wuling, and from its inception, it was given the name "Baojun," derived from the two Chinese characters meaning "valuable steed," which is very down-to-earth. The logo design features a horse head graphic instead of letters, likely to avoid complexity and maintain a simple, practical style. Their model names mostly start with numbers, like the Baojun 510 or 730, reflecting the brand's focus on family-oriented, practical vehicles, unlike luxury brands that use letters to distinguish high-end series. Car naming conventions often stem from a brand's history and positioning. Baojun has emphasized affordability since its inception, with numbers representing vehicle classes, so there's no need to force a "P" series. If someone misunderstands because they've heard of similar brands like Peugeot with a "P," each automaker actually has its own unique strategy. Baojun's design aligns better with national aesthetics and market preferences. Keep this in mind when car shopping—just focus on the numbers, and you won't miss out on a good car.
Let me share from my daily driving experience. I've been driving a Baojun for several years and never really thought about why there's no 'P' in the name. The brand Baojun itself is a direct translation from Chinese to English, and the horse head logo represents reliability and speed, which looks quite spirited. Their models like 530 or 630 all use numerical codes, indicating different configurations and sizes for easy identification. The brand planned this system from the beginning, considering that the letter 'P' might represent something else, like Premium high-end series, but Baojun is positioned in the mid-to-low-end market and doesn't need to be fancy. Maybe some online rumors caused confusion, making people think something was missing, but in reality, it doesn't matter. It's great for commuting—practical and affordable. When I bought the car, I appreciated the clear numerical series; the absence of 'P' actually makes it feel more down-to-earth.
