Why is Huapu Car No Longer Available?
2 Answers
Huapu Car is still available. Shanghai Huapu Automobile Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, specializing in the production of mid-to-high-end family cars. The company was established in August 1999, covering an area of 630 acres, and has complete production lines for stamping, welding, painting, and assembly, as well as independent logistics warehouses, test tracks, and comprehensive vehicle inspection lines. With a single-shift annual production capacity of 25,000 cars and over 900 employees, more details are as follows: 1. Phase II Project: The Phase II development covers 1,500 acres, and upon full completion and operation, it will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 mid-to-high-end family cars. Shanghai Huapu Automobile Co., Ltd. is located in Fengjing Industrial Park, Jinshan District, Shanghai, adjacent to Fengjing Station, Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway, and National Highway 320, just 80 kilometers from Shanghai Port and the Yangtze River estuary, offering convenient transportation and an excellent environment. 2. Production Capacity: As a self-developed car manufacturing enterprise in China, Shanghai Huapu Automobile not only possesses modern production lines for stamping, welding, painting, and assembly but also achieved a production capacity of 150,000 units in 2007 through various cooperative and exchange activities.
I remember Shanghai Maple cars were quite common over a decade ago. Back then, I drove several of their models—performance was average but the price was affordable, attracting many ordinary families. Later, as market competition intensified, Geely Group consolidated brand resources. Second-tier manufacturers like Maple couldn't withstand declining sales and cost pressures, gradually halting production. It's like small companies being swallowed by big players—China's auto market changes rapidly, and brand turnover is the norm. At the time, I thought if automakers failed to keep up with electrification trends or lacked sufficient brand promotion, they could easily disappear, with Maple being a prime example. Nowadays, you might occasionally spot a few old Maple cars in the used market, but spare parts are becoming scarce. I’d advise longtime owners to sell early or switch to compatible parts. Ultimately, Maple's exit was the result of market natural selection—nothing surprising.
