The Jiangsu Yueda Group began producing cars in 1979. The first vehicle was a copy of the Beijing BJ130 light 2-ton truck, the Jiangsu JS130, with a 55 kW engine.
The factory was called Yancheng Auto Works. In 1988, it made the original BJ130 as a single (JS130) and as a double cab pickup (JS130A), and a version with an updated cab (JS130S and JS130SA).
Before it started the assembly of the Kia Pride, it made two other cars: 1)
The Yueda YQZ6370 MPV, introduced in 1990. 2) The Yueda YQZ6300 mini car.
Yueda YQZ6370 MPV
Yueda YQZ6300 mini car
Some technical details: LxWxH 3000mm x 1880mm x 1400 mm. Wheelbase 1850mm. Engine 276Q, 644cc. Price: 25.000 yuan.
The Wanghai YQZ6440
Yueda also made a minibus, named Wanghai YQZ6440.
The Wanghai YQZ6600
And a 6-meter-long bus, the Wanghai YQZ6600.
The Kia Pride
Then, in 1997, with the help of Kia, they started the assembly of the Kia Pride, a Ford-Mazda design. The company was now named Yueda-Kia Motor Co.
Early Yueda Kia Pride YQZ6390, photo internet, thanks to Tycho.
Technical details YQZ6370: LxWxH 3615mm/ 1605mm/1460mm, wheelbase 2345mm. Engine 1323cc, 51kW. Weight 820kg. Price 80.000-90.000 yuan.
In 2000, Yueda sold a ‘sport’ version of the Pride.
In 2001, the sedan version of the Pride came into production.
Technical details YQZ6390: LxWxH 3935mm/ 1605mm/ 1455mm, wheelbase 2345mm. Engine 1323cc, 51kW. Weight 865kg. Price 92.000-99.000 yuan.
In 2002, Dongfeng became a partner in the joint venture for 25%, the jv name changed into Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motors Ltd. (DYK). Dongfeng had 25%, Yueda 25% and Kia 50%.
In 2002, the Pride grille was updated. And the Kia logo replaced the Y from Yueda.
Yueda Kia Pride YQZ6370, photo Tycho de Feyter, CoolCarsinChina.
From now on, DYK introduced nearly each year a new car: 2002: Qianlima (Hyundai Accent), 2004: Carnival (Jiahua) and Optima (Yuanjin), 2005: Cerato (Sailatu), 2006: Rio, 2007: Sportage (Shipao), 2009 Forte (Furuidi) and Soul (Xiu’er), 2010: K5 and Sportage R (Zhipao R), 2011: K2, 2012: K3, 2014: K4 (Hyundai Mistra) and KX3 (Apao), 2015: KX5, 2016: Cerato R and KX7, 2017: Pegas (Huanchi), K4 Cachet, KX Cross and Sportage NP (Zhipao), 2018: KX1 (Yipao) and Stonic, 2020: K5 Kaiku.
After 19 years, in 2021, Dongfeng was out again. Now it was 50/50% Jiangsu Yueda Group and Kia Corporation. The joint venture owned three factories in Yancheng. In 2022, the joint venture was temporarily named Kia Motors Co. Ltd., and later renamed Jiangsu Yueda Kia Motors Co. Ltd.
Tycho wrote about the Yueda Kia Pride:
Dongfeng Yueda Kia Pride Hatchback With Black License Plates In China – CoolCarsInChina.com
Dongfeng Yueda Kia Pride Hatchback In China – CoolCarsInChina.com
Dongfeng Yueda Kia Pride Sedan In China – CoolCarsInChina.com
Very nice article! I was under the assumption Pride production started in 1997 – thats what articles on coolcarsinchina used to say. Thanks Marshall for the YQZ6300 details, never heard about it. Looks like another sankoule car.
You are right, first local small scale assembly started in 1997, and the production in 1999 within the joint venture. The same as in Shanghai, where the first (test) Santana’s appeared in the streets in 1983, before the start of the jv. I changed the date above.
Ohh, I see, so thats how it was. Thanks very much Erik! A great read.
There seemed to be some Pride assembly prior to Yueda involvement – first time hearing about that. See: https://www.zhihu.com/question/30467527/answer/48210576
JFK, there were more companies assembling the Kia Pride:
Binzhou Pulaide (https://chinacarhistory.com/2018/02/01/chinese-car-brands-that-time-forgot-binzhou-pride/, https://carnewschina.com/2012/01/17/introducing-binzhou-pride-automobile-from-china/),
Guangtong GTQ5010X (https://chinacarhistory.com/2018/02/21/crazy-car-production-days-of-guangdong-guangdong-guangtong/)
Zihao XHC5011X (see also my book about the small cars of the 1990s)
Production figures of the Zihao Pride:
1995:89, 1996: 133.
Yueda YQZ6300 mini car design is awful.