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From Hong-Qi to Jiefang - the Chinese car industry from 1955 to 1985

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Created on August 1, 1985

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Archiv Automobil Revue

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Volkswagen

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Archiv

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Archiv Automobil Revue

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Volkswagen

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Archiv

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East Wind (1959) - prototype, shown in Beijing

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Shanghai SH-760A from 1977, (6 cyl., 2232 cm3, 90 hp)

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Chinese truck production around 1958

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Three-wheeled utility vehicle from China (around 1958)

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Chenfeng (1959) - Small truck made in China

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Hong Qi Red Flag Sedan (1959) - in a sales brochure

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VW Passat (1987) - the second generation was also available with a notchback from 1985, previously this model was called Santana

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Chinesische Lastwagen-Produktion um 1958

Dreirad-Nutzfahrzeug aus China (um 1958)

Chenfeng (1959) - Kleinlastwagen made in China

Hong Qi Red Flag Sedan (1959) - in einem Verkaufsprospekt

VW Passat (1987) - die zweite Generation gab es ab 1985 auch mit Stufenheck, vorher hiess diese Bauvariante Santana

Summary

Compared to other countries, the Chinese car industry is not very old. The first automobile factory was only established in China in 1955. This article in the Oldtimer Chronicle from August 1985 gives an insight into the then thirty-year history.

This article contains the following chapters

First automobile plant in 1955
New commercial vehicle factories
The early eighties
Santana instead of Shanghai
No popular motorization

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

According to ancient writings, steam power was already known in China around 800 BC. Father Vertuest, a Flemish Jesuit, worked as a Catholic missionary in China from 1659 to 1688 and was responsible for the imperial observatory. He probably found these clues during his studies and research. Incidentally, the Chinese legend tells of a "chariot of fire". Father Verbiest then developed and built a small steam carriage which, although it was unable to carry passengers, could certainly be described as an "automobile". Although China already had astonishing knowledge in the distant past, the history of the Chinese automotive industry is very recent. It began in 1955 with the acquisition of the license rights to build Russian commercial vehicles and later also passenger cars. Until very recently, vehicles continued to be built that were hopelessly outdated compared to the models produced in the rest of the world. Not only in their appearance, but also in the technology used, they remained at the level of the 1950s or even the 1940s. This was recently confirmed by the responsible chief engineer of the Chinese automotive industry company.

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Images of this article

Chinesische Lastwagen-Produktion um 1958

Dreirad-Nutzfahrzeug aus China (um 1958)

Chenfeng (1959) - Kleinlastwagen made in China

Hong Qi Red Flag Sedan (1959) - in einem Verkaufsprospekt

VW Passat (1987) - die zweite Generation gab es ab 1985 auch mit Stufenheck, vorher hiess diese Bauvariante Santana

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