The Renault Express from Taiwan made on the Mainland.

In 2001 the Beijing Municipality Pinggu County Wangxinzhuang Town Economic Union Corporation was looking for a foreign partner, to produce cars. The choice was the Taiwanese version of the French Renault Express.

The Renault Express was made in France from 1986-2000. The Taiwanese versions were a Combi (break, with windows around), a Tolé (van without windows) and a Pickup. They were made by Sanfu Motors in Taichun, Taiwan, from 1989-1997.

The car was named in Taiwan Honglong (Red dragon). The Mainland company would use the same name. The price of the Mainland version was estimated at 50.000-70.00 yuan, cheap for a car at that time.

The Taiwanese partner, probably Sanfu’s new owner Formosa Plastics,  would take care of 55% of the investment. They would deliver the equipment, molds, technology and cash money. The Pinggu partner would provide land and cash money.

The production plans were: first year 7.000 units, second year 15.000 units, third year 20.000 units and the following years 26.000 units each.

And then it was waiting for investors. But they were not found.
And: no investor; no money; no factory; no production.

This initiative had a gentle death, like so many plans at that time.
We never heard of it again.