About the History of Cars in China
During the late 1970s Shanghai Auto Works worked in two directions: developing a successor for its SH760/SH760A saloon and filling in the gap between the Shanghai saloon and the Hongqi limousine.
We have seen already the bigger models (SH762/SH763) developed during the Cultural Revolution.
This story is about the Shanghai SH771, according my opinion a wonderful project which flirted with the Mercedes Benz W116 S-Klasse (1972-1980). Continue reading “The Chinese Mercedes S-Klasse”
The history of the factory with the proud name “Chengdu Auto Works” goes back to September 1970, when there is a small reel in Renmin Ribao (People’s Daily): “Chengdu 120 lorries are being made in Chengdu”. The Cultural Revolution is there, what that means for the automobile industry we have decribed before.
In the early years of the 21st century Chery is a rapidly growing company. Chery shows SUV, MPV, sedan, van, so many concepts of different models. Including a larger sedan, via Italy a picture comes to China and arrives at my desk. It is the Chery F11 concept, a slim car design done by Pininfarina.
The photo has been taken at the roof of the Pininfarina design studios, and somehow it escaped the secrecy. The car has a fancy German license plate and an unknown logo. There is nothing known about engine, details etc. I don’t even know if it has an engine, or that you can ride it.
At least four projects were undertaken by FAW (First Auto Works) to develop a small family car. Well, to be exactly it was either FAW itself or the Changchun Research Institute, which functioned as the research and development department of FAW.
Continue reading “Four attempts to make a Hongqi family car.”
In the early years of the twentieth century there were a lot of factories that made car chassis and engines. These chassis and engines were exported to other countries where local bodybuilders assembled and finished these automobiles.
The International Concession in Shanghai city was an important place where several body builders were settled.
Continue reading “The Shanghai Horse Bazaar and Motor Company Limited”
In June 1958 Beijing First Automobile Accessory Works surprised with the introduction of the quite modern Jinggangshan, a Volkswagen Beetle-based rear-engined car.
Deng Xiaoping meets the first Jinggangshan, June 1958. Chinese press photo.
The oldest automobile show in China I know is the exhibition organised by the National Good Road Association of China in Shanghai, September 1931.
Continue reading “Early Exhibitions with Chinese automobiles.”
On the 2004 Beijing Auto Show, Changan Auto unveiled two concept cars. The first was was the Chinese Dragon roadster, and the second one was this Changan Chinese Sturgeon sports sedan.
Continue reading “China Concept Cars: The 2004 Changan Chinese Sturgeon”
We know the Tianjin Auto Repair Works from the Heping saloons made in 1958. People name this factory as developing the first Chinese car. For two reasons, the 1946 Feiying closed three wheel vehicle and the 1951 station wagon.
Continue reading “The first products of the Tianjin Auto Repair Works.”
Dear friends,
I have a very good reason to write this item today.
Continue reading “Unique chance to drive your veteran car in China!”