Polarsun (Zhongshun) started with just a name change, continuing the production of the new Roger-designed minibus. This vehicle is based on the fourth generation of the Toyota HiAce. Polarsun is still using the SLQ denomination, the minibus is called Polarsun Century SLQ6503.
Like Songliao with its contacts with Nanjing Yuejin, FAW, Changchun and Tianjin Research and Development Institute and the Century Auto Company, the American designers under the inspiring mr. Roger; like Songliao also Zhongshun (Polarsun) likes to play big. They started Research & Development Centers in the USA (Los Angeles 2002; Detroit 2003) and China (Shenyang, Shanghai). Export to South America, Africa, Arab countries, even to North Korea.
At the Shanghai Show 2005 an MPV and a SUV were shown. No nomenclature.
In the same year plans were revealed to work together with Magna Steyr.
Two pickups were shown, named Torque, designation SZS1020FD and FS with C498QA2 2464cc engine or SZS1020S and D with a XG491Q-ME 2237cc engine.
In 2006 Polarsun showed three new vehicles, at the Beijing Auto Show. In stead of the SLQ denomination, the new SZS was in use.
The MPV SZS6430 has a 1834cc 4G93 Mitsubishi engine and had a length of 4342mm.
Polarsun SUV-B SZS6480, Beijing Auto Show 2006, photo Erik van Ingen Schenau.
A virgin white 4800mm long SUV-B SZS6480 equipped with a 2237cc XG491Q-ME engine.
The other SUV, seen a year before, has got a new grille and is now named the SZS6450.
Two new updates of the pickup were shown.
The design studio of mr. Roger is super active.
The car project is promising. A 1:1 model was made.
Polarsun is clearly playing with the idea.
The car idea was abandoned.
At the Shanghai Show 2007, again a new range of vehicles. Polarsun must have spent capitals, year after year!
A new, a five-seat MPV, called ‘Family MPV-B’. 1342cc DH413 or 1425cc CA4GB1 engine, length 3980mm.
The SZS6430, introduced year before, was refreshed and got the name ‘Leisure MPV-A’.
The ‘Business MPV’ was equipped with a 2464cc CA498QA2 engine. The length of the bus was 5080mm. It was a twin of the FAW Free Wind.
Very American was the stretched Limo. Length 8000mm, engine CA498QA2, 2464cc.
At the Beijing 2008 Show there was a concept of an updated minibus.
And over the years, till 2010, the ordinary minibus was made.
And now the truth. You can design cars whatever you want, but you also have to produce them and to sell them. Polarsun made between 2006 and 2009: 26 MPV’s and 8 SUV’s!~Desastrous figures.
High roof version of the Minibus:
The reason why the company survived during this years was the production of the minibuses:
2003: 216, 2004: 1473, 2005: 4885, 2006: 10170, 2007: 18024, 2008: 11287, 2009: 2540, 2010: 0.
2010: Zero. That was the end. Broke.
In 2018 the electric car (NEV) manufacturer WM Motors (Weltmeister) bought the stocks of Polarsun Motors including the SZS license that gives the right to produce automobiles.
I wondered what had become of Polarsun.
Thanks Erik
The facelifted pickups have the same front as the Shuguang Conqueror.
I have found a CGI picture of what seems like Polarsun Business from 2005:
Yes, practically in each brochure at the motor shows in Beijing and Shanghai, Polarsun showed pictures of new models. These models were never realized.
The Detroit based research center was called Summitech, I worked for them for about a year during which time they proposed a large portfolio of products (all copies) that they thought they could build on the same production line. Not surprised they closed the doors shortly after
the mpv is a literal faw freewind with a funny nose and the 2006 polarsun looks like the changfeng kylin mpv. And why is the proposal picture literally full of japanese cars with redesigned front ends?
Today i have learned that the Polarsun van was also sold in Ukraine as Groz Polarsun. They sold a couple of different chinese cars around the late 00s, of note is the BAW Qishi.
was it sold with the funny badge?
When you talk about the SZS6430, Yes!
it’s scary. almost every smal car brand at the time copied of each other and took ideas from faw, baic, saic and plenty more. :0
plus, if imported cars weren’t in china, everyone would be driving a yanjing minivan or a shanghai sh760.
sad im a kid cause l never saw any old cars during my visit to china
🙁
the 1:1 scale model is litterally just a toyota camry. and what the hell did they put in the proposal pictures?! they are just japanese cars but with just a few changes. oh, and the polarsun mpv copied of the faw freewind mpv which copied Off the Guangzhou baolong mpv.
🫠
I saw a Polarsun centry bus in Tianjin in 2017 and took a photo for it. Unfortunately, I can’t find the photo now.