The Jiangsu Yueda Group made cars since 1979. First vehicle was a copy of the Beijing BJ130 light 2ton truck, named Jiangsu JS130. Engine 55kW.
The factory was called Yancheng Auto Works. In 1988 it made the original BJ130 as single (JS130) and as 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 :
The mpv Yueda YQZ6370, introduced in 1990.
And the 3 meter long two-door Yueda YQZ6300 mini car.
Some technical details: LxWxH 3000mm x 1880mm x 1400 mm. Wheelbase 1850mm. Engine 276Q, 644cc. Price 25.000 yuan.
They also made a minibus, named Wanghai YQZ6440.
And a 6 meter long bus:
Then, in 1999, with help of Kia, they started the assembly of the Kia Pride, a Ford-Mazda design. The company was now named Yueda-Kia Motor Co.
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 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 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 renamed Kia Motors Co. Ltd., later named again 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