Chinese Car Brands That Time Forgot: Tianma Auto – Part 2

Tianma in the 2000s

This is the second part of my story about Tianma Auto, part of the Chinese Car Brands That Time Forgot (CCBTTF™) series. Part 1 is right here. China’s car market started to boom in the early 2000s, with zillions of new car makers and models. Tianma’s lineup exploded, with dozens of pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans. Tianma also produced the usual Kia Sorento and  Honda CR-V clones.

As was typical at the time, Tianma produced cars under many different type-names that were actually very similar in size, power, and price. And, as is typical for Chinese car makers even today, Tianma usually continued selling older models alongside newer ones. Happily, around 2002, the internet started to take off in China, so there is a lot of information available on Tianma’s cars.

Tianma Hailakesi [天马海拉克斯][Hilux] KZ1020SE

At this time, almost every Chinese automaker produced a variant of the Toyota HiLux. Some were official joint-venture projects, others were based on licensing, others were half-legal copies, and others again were illegal copies. Many Chinese carmakers also ‘borrowed’ the HiLux name (海拉克斯, Hilakesi) from Toyota, and Tianma did that too.

Size: 4990/1680/1580, 2850. It’s a pickup truck, so bed size matters too: 1450/1470/400. Engine: Great Wall 491QE 2.2-liter petrol with 100 hp. The top speed was 120 km/h.

Fuzzily, this color name is “Toyota White” (丰田白).

Tianma Chenglong [天马乘龙] KZ1021

Tianma Chenglong KZ1021 is the second-generation Tianma pickup truck of the 2000s. Chenglong (乘龙) means Dragon. It was based on an Isuzu design. This, again, was a trend in China at the time. Suddenly, car makers ditched Toyota and started to produce/copy Isuzu.

The KZ1021 was available with a 100 hp 2.2-liter petrol engine and a 76-hp 2.8-liter  diesel engine. The gearbox was always a five-speed manual, sending horsepower to the rear wheels.

Image from Tianma’s old website.

The Tianma Chenglong was a whole lot bigger than the earlier pickup truck. Dimensions: 5450/1730/1700, wheelbase not specified. The size of the bed: 1820/1470/450. The max load was 500 kg.

Tianma Fengling [天马风铃] KZ1021

The KZ1021 Fengling was a cool pickup truck, with wild decals, sporty alloy wheels, shiny mirror housings, an extra mirror on the right-front fender, and a rack in the bed. Fengling (风铃) means Wind Chime. The design was inspired by Isuzu, and it even has a Japanese-style extra mirror on the front fender.

Size: 5080/1730/1710, with a 3025  wheelbase. The bed: 1480/1470/450. The max load was 500 kg. Tianma offered two petrol engines and one diesel:

1. SF491QE, 2.2 liter. 100 hp/190 Nm.
2. JM491Q-ME, 2.2 liter. 102 hp, 190 Nm.
3. SF493ZQ, 2.8-liter diesel. 90 hp, 210 Nm.

The KZ1021 Fengling was quite luxurious for the segment. It was equipped with leather seats, a four-spoke steering wheel, power steering, electric windows, electric rearview mirrors, and a “luxury CD player”.

A variant for the government, in this case, for the Industrial and Commercial Law Enforcement (工商执法). It has a dual-tone police paint job and government logos.

Tianma KZ1023LC

The KZ1023LC was the only Tianma single-cab pickup truck. The design is largely similar to the KZ1021 Fengling, but the bumpers are slightly different. However, the KZ1023LC was not a smaller vehicle. On the contrary, it was much larger, caused by a super-sized bed. Dimensions of the vehicle: 5120/1720/1720, 3025. Cargo bed: 2310/1470/450. Power: 2.8-liter diesel with 100 hp, the top speed was 110 km/h.

Tianma Fengchi [天马风驰] KZ6490

The Tianma Fengchi KZ6490 was a typical late 1990s Chinese SUV. It has cool stickers and shiny mirrors, and the same extra mirror. Fengchi (风驰) means Wind Gallop. Power came from the Shenyang-Mitsubishi 2.4-liter “Sirius” petrol engine, with an output of 127 hp and 180 Nm. The gearbox was once again a 5-speed manual.

The Fengchi was one of Tianma’s most popular models. I saw several of them in China, including this black example in Jinan, with a very cool, super old 鲁A license plate. Sadly, the extra mirror has broken off.

The dimensions of the Fengchi: 4620/1885/1825, wheelbase was 2720, and curb weight was 1830 kg.

I saw this one in Guangdong; it still has the extra mirror.

A pretty brand-new white example.

Tianma Fengyi [天马风翼] KZ1020SE

The Tianma Fengyi KZ1020SE was a pickup truck with a new design. It had a modest grille, new headlights, and the stickers were gone. Fengyi (风翼) means Wind Wing. Power: 2.2-liter petrol with 101 hp and 190 Nm, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Size: 4920/1680/1580, 2850. The bed: 1450/1470/400.

Tianma Fengchi [天马风驰] update: KZ6490E & KZ6490C

In the year 2000, Tianma updated the Fengchi. The base model was the Fengchi KZ6490E, and the luxury model (pictured) was the KZ6490C.

The KZ6490E (left) didn’t look as flashy as the KZ6490C. It had a simpler roof rack, a simpler color scheme, and basic alloy wheels.

Tianma offered two engines: a China-made Isuzu 2.2-liter petrol with 101 hp and 193 Nm, or a 2.8-liter diesel with 90 hp and 210 Nm. The gearbox was the usual 5-speed manual. Size: 5150/1820/1870, with a 3025 wheelbase.

The tiny entertainment screen is interesting. Many Chinese car makers in the early 2000s fitted such screens, usually between the sun visors, like in this case. The screen could play VCD video from a compact disc, which went into the radio unit in the center stack. The video played while driving, and there wasn’t any cut-off system. Other car makers that had similar screens included Great Wall and Zhongxing. The photo at the lower right shows a mobile phone holder that connects with the audio system for a basic form of hands-free calling.

Other luxuries included a remote-control key, power windows, and leather seats.

A rather old-looking Fengchi, seen in Shandong in 2022 by Helium439.

Tianma Fengchi [天马风驰] update 2: 2004

In 2004, Tianma updated the Fengchi once more. It got a new grille, new bumpers, and new & larger wheel arch cladding. The engines were unchanged.

In 2004, the price of the base petrol model was only 60.000 yuan. That was cheap, even for China.

Tianma  Yingxiong [天马英雄][Hero] KZ6460

The Tianma Yingxiong KZ6460 was probably Tianma’s best-known car. It was sold in China and exported to various countries. Design-wise, it was a clone of the Kia Sorento. At the time, many Chinese brands manufactured similar Sorento clones. Tianma added some original designs for the grille and bumpers. Yingxiong (英雄) means Hero.

At the market

In 2008, I visited the Asian Village Car Market in the far north of Beijing. Inside one of the large buildings was a shop selling the Tianma Yingxiong. It had two cars on display, a white base model and a black top-spec car.

The Yingxiong looked quite good, more high-end than earlier Tianma cars. Tianma painted the bumpers in body color, fitted shiny five-spoke wheels, white light visors at the rear, and two exhaust pipe tips.

Size: 4555/1885/1825, 2720. Tianma offered 3 engines in the Yingxiong:

1. Shenyang-Mitsubishi 4G63S4M. 2.0-liter, 114 hp. 150 km/h top speed. RWD standard, AWD optional.
2. Shenyang-Mitsubishi 4G64S4M. 2.4 liter, 128 hp. 150 km/h. AWD.
3. Great Wall GW2.8TC-2. 2.8-liter diesel, 94 hp.  140 km/h.

Army version (?)

A Tianma MIIT photo of a Yingxiong in military colors. Perhaps a proposal for an army version. As far as I know, the PLA never operated any Tianma SUVs. But it is possible that local units in Hebei had some. This was normal at the time: local army units bought locally-made cars.

Tianma SRV [天马SRV] KZ6470

Tianma KZ6470 SRV was a clone of the second-generation Honda CR-V. The Honda was super popular among Chinese car makers; at least a dozen produced CR-V copies & clones. The second-generation CR-V was also produced officially in China by Dongfeng-Honda. Tianma made a nice clone; it looked a bit more rugged than the real thing, with off-road-style tires, side bars, and a roof rack.

Size: 4720/1800/1860, 2850. Tianma offered four petrol  engines and one diesel in the SRV:

1. Great Wall GW491QE. 2.2 liter, 100 hp.
2. henyang-Mitsubishi 4G63S4M. 2.0 liter, 114 hp.
3. Xinchen Power  JM491Q-ME. 2.2 liter, 102 hp.
4. Xinchen Power XC4G19. 2.0 liter, 98 hp.
5. BAW BJ483ZQB. 2.2-liter diesel, 63 hp.

Tianma KZ6480EQ

This is an interesting one. The KZ6480EQ is a clone of the Lexus RX. Tianma applied for and received an MIIT permit to produce the car. However, that never happened. This is the only photo of the KZ6480EQ that I have. Size: 4745/1845/1730, 2720. Power:

1. Shenyang-Mitsubishi 4G63S4M. 2.0-liter, 114 hp.
2. Shenyang-Mitsubishi 4G64S4M. 2.3-liter, 123 hp.

Tianma Junchi CUV [天马骏驰 CUV] KZ6480

The Tianma Junchi CUV KZ6480 was a larger 3-row SUV. It was, at least, an original Tianma design. It looked nicely rugged, with off-road tires, wide bumpers and wheel arches, side bars, and a roof rack. Junchi (骏驰) is best translated as Excellent Horse.

Size: 4830/1730/1840, 2760. Tianma sourced the engines for the Junchi CUV from Great Wall: 114 hp 2.0-liter petrol and a 104 hp 2.2-liter diesel. The top speed with the petrol engine was 120 km/h.

A brand-new  Junchi CUV in Tianma’s factory.

Tianma Fengrui [天马风锐] KZ6485EB

The Tianma Fengrui was an updated variant of the Junchi. The update included a new grille, new wheel arches, new bumpers, and the return of door stickers. The engines remained the same.

The interior – with shiploads of fake wood and a large steering wheel.

Tianma Fengrui [天马风锐] KZ6485EB update

Another update, this time with the same designation. Tianma once again changed the grille and the bumpers. It also got extra plastic cladding on the doors and new alloy wheels. The Great Wall engines remained in place.

A 2005 web ad for the Fengrui, with a non-Chinese model. This was a trend in the early and mid-2000s. All sorts of Chinese brands hired foreign models, mostly middle-aged men, for products ranging from booze to beds to cars.

Tianma Haishi [天马海狮] KZ6490

Many smaller Chinese automakers produced clones of the Toyota HiAce minivan. The Toyota HiAce has a long and complicated history in China. There was official production, licensed production, semi-licensed production, copies, clones, and whatnot more. Tianma’s HiAce was a clone, and once more, Tianma also borrowed the HiAce’s Chinese name: 海狮, Haishi, Sea Lion.

The Haishi had sporty alloy wheels and stickers on the rear fender. It was a seven-seat car, including the driver. Size: 4998/1780/2020, 2600.

Tianma offered two diesel engines: a Great Wall 100 hp 2.2-liter diesel and a BAIC-Foton 102 hp 2.1-liter diesel. The top speed was 110 km/h for both variants.

Tianma Haishi [天马海狮] KZ6510

The Tianma Haishi 6510 is a modernized variant of the original Haishi. It gets a new front, and Tianma replaced the alloy wheels with boring wheel covers. Engine: 2.2-liter petrol with 100 hp for a 120 km/h top speed.

Tianma Haishi [天马海狮] KZ6510A

The Tianma Haishi 6510A is the next update, again with a new front. The headlights are much larger now, with a shiny grille and a big Tianma logo. The engine is the same as before.

Tianma Haishi [天马海狮] KZ6491

The Tianma Haishi KZ6491 is an upmarket variant of the 6510A. It gets a dual-tone paint job, a prettier grille with horizontal bars, and a new set of alloy wheels. It’s a bit bigger now: 5050/1780/2020, but the wheelbase stays at 2600. No change under the hood.

Tianma in trouble

Around 2006-2007, Tianma got into trouble. Sales were too slow, and Tianma was unable to transition from a local company to a nationwide player. It didn’t have enough dealers, and brand recognition was low. After 2007, Tianma didn’t launch any new models anymore. Except for one, but that wasn’t really a Tianma, but also not really not.

The Hengtian SUV

In 2008, Tianma was acquired by Hengtian (恒天汽车), a Chinese commercial-vehicle maker. Hentian wanted to go into the passenger-car business, but it didn’t have a government license for manufacturing passenger cars. That’s why it bought Hengtian, which did have such a license.

Tianma/Hentian L4600 [天马/恒天 L4600] KZ204046M

The Tianma/Hengtian L4600 KZ20406M was a new luxury SUV, with a styling inspired by the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

Hengtian had purchased Tianma. But, under China’s complicated production license system, its cars were still registered under the Tianma name and the Tianma designation. However, it was marketed as a Hengtian and carried Hengtian badges. It was a large seven-seat car: 5089/2026/1932.

Note the badhe on the left: 中国恒天, Zhongguo Hengtian. At the time, it was standard practice for commercial-vehicle makers, and also for some automakers, to put the country name China in front of the brand name.

The Tianma/Hengtian L4600 had a very special engine: a 4.6-liter V8 produced by Futai Power, a company that doesn’t exist anymore today. The output of the V8 was 284 hp, which made the L4600 one of the most powerful Chinese cars in that period. The top speed was 196 km/h.

Sadly, the L4600 never made it into mass production. Soaring costs killed Hengtian’s passenger car project soon thereafter. With that, the remnants of Tianma also went under. The Hengtian company still exists, but it makes only commercial vehicles again.

When times were still great: the first-of-the-line ceremony for the Tianma Yingxiong.

And that concludes this long article about Tianma. That’s always the thing with the 2000s: Chinese car makers just produced so many different models that putting them all together takes a lot of time. And Tianma wasn’t even a large company. Thank you for reading, and see you soon.