Why was the Dongfeng A9 discontinued

[SaraFitz]

The Dongfeng brand is generally perceived as a low-end car brand in the public's mind, and its decline is closely related to brand positioning. The Dongfeng A9 was positioned in the mid-to-high-end segment. However, Dongfeng's brand image had already been diluted by models like Fengguang, Fengshen, and Fengxing, leading to the perception that Dongfeng's domestic cars are synonymous with low-end vehicles. The pricing of the Dongfeng A9 gave consumers more options. Below is more information about the Dongfeng A9: At the time, the Dongfeng A9 was marketed for its cost-performance ratio. As a C-segment sedan, it indeed offered excellent features, including an Infinity sound system, dual-zone automatic climate control, smart entry, and LED headlights. Back then, it was considered a flagship model with strong value for money.

[PatrickLee]

The discontinuation of the Dongfeng A9 is mainly due to the harsh market competition. As a luxury sedan, it has always been at a disadvantage in the domestic market, with sales far behind joint-venture brands like the Audi A6 or BMW 5 Series. Consumers generally perceive the Dongfeng brand as lacking appeal—despite its lower price, it fails to attract buyers. Additionally, with frequent updates in competing models, the A9's design and technology have become somewhat outdated, leading to poor sales. Faced with this situation, Dongfeng naturally decided to allocate resources to more profitable SUVs and electric vehicles. While the discontinuation is understandable, for us owners, it’s crucial to be cautious about the risks of owning a discontinued model—spare parts become hard to find, and maintenance costs rise significantly, a topic often discussed in car owner communities. The market trend now favors new directions, pushing older models out, so it’s essential to check sales and reputation before buying a car.

[VanAna]

Speaking of why the Dongfeng A9 was discontinued, I believe the root cause lies in its lagging technology. This car was built on an outdated platform with snail-paced technological updates. Nowadays, cars emphasize intelligent driving assistance and fuel efficiency, yet the A9 remained stuck at a decade-old level. Although the engine was durable, its high fuel consumption and frequent user complaints about minor bugs and system lags were common. The manufacturer didn't invest enough in R&D for upgrades, gradually marginalizing the model. With automakers now competing in innovation, such as electric vehicles and smart cabins, Dongfeng had to pivot. Technological backwardness is a slow poison—without fresh features, why would consumers bother? From this perspective, discontinuing production allows Dongfeng to focus on new projects, which is beneficial in the long run.

[PeterAnn]

Some friends around me have driven the Dongfeng A9, and they all said it had constant minor issues, such as strong odors in the interior, lots of rattles, and an uncomfortable driving experience. Later, its resale value dropped quickly—it was cheap to buy but expensive to repair. Word of mouth spread like wildfire, and sales collapsed. Consumer feedback was terrible, and no one dared to buy it anymore. Seeing this trend, the manufacturer had no choice but to discontinue production. In the future, when encountering similar models, test-drive them thoroughly and pay attention to details—don’t just rely on promotional data. After discontinuation, spare parts become even scarcer, making daily maintenance a bigger hassle.