By Nick Carey
MUNICH (Reuters) -Chinese luxury automaker Hongqi said on Tuesday that it would launch 15 electric and hybrid models in Europe by 2028 across 25 different markets as it also unveiled the EHS5, a compact electric SUV.
Hongqi, or Red Flag, known as former state leader Chairman Mao Zedong’s favoured car brand, already sells cars in several European markets, including Norway, the Netherlands and Poland.
A unit of Chinese state-owned automaker FAW, Hongqi plans to have more than 200 dealers in Europe by 2028.
FAW’s design chief Giles Taylor said at the IAA Mobility auto show in Munich that the EHS5 had a range of 550 kilometres (342 miles), could charge from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes and was “more dynamic and a bit more youthful” than the EHS9, a full-size EV that Hongqi currently sells in Europe.
“This is very much a car which is suited to urban and suburban use, for families and single drivers,” Taylor said.
Hongqi did not disclose pricing or timing for sales of the EHS5.
The company joins a growing crowd of Chinese automakers including BYD, Chery and Changan who face a brutal EV price war in their home market and are seeking profitable sales in Europe.
China’s Leapmotor said earlier this year it would supply an EV platform to Hongqi to boost its overseas sales.
CEO Zhu Jiangming told Reuters at the Munich car show that the platform will be used for a Hongqi EV that will go into production in the fourth quarter of 2026.
(Reporting by Nick CareyEditing by Bernadette Baum)
Comments