Hongqi.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Red flag up.
The public's attention was recently drawn to a Chinese-made luxurious car that was chosen as the official ride of state leaders meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Beijing.
Hongqi, translated in local language as "red flag," is the auto brand that became popular during the APEC summit that ended on Tuesday.
All the visiting state leaders were sporting a Hongqi L5 limousine at the event, with exception to U.S. President Barack Obama who was escorted in his usual Cadillac sedan. Other delegates, meanwhile, rode a Hongqi H7 sedan.
With a design that can be likened to 1950s vehicles, the Hongqi L5 has a vintage exterior that boasts of Chinese traditional elements like the strategically placed piece of jade at the limousine's door handles.
The car also comes with modern facilities like the 15.3-inch LCD panel in-car TV, 6.0 liters aluminum motor and bullet-proof windows to make it more fitting for the high-profile passengers.
Honqi L5 is created by FAW Group Corp. from Jilin. The company described the automobile to be 5,555-mm in length, 2,018-mm in width, 1,578-mm in height, and a wheelbase of 3,435-mm.
It is more spacious than other luxury sedans, FAW Group Corp. said on its website.
In 2001, the Buick model was the official vehicle used to transport delegates during the APEC meeting in Shanghai. The model was a co-produced by SAIC Motor Corp. and General Motors.
The Hongqi L5, which was released in April 2013, already made it in the news during the state visit of French President Francois Hollande to China.
Pre-orders were then accepted after it was launched at the Beijing auto show. Sources said that a pre-ordered Hongqi will cost about 5 million yuan ($816,299) and will be delivered after six months.
On the other hand, local reports attest that since its launch in May 2013, the Hongi H7 sedan that is sold at 299,800 yuan to 479,800 yuan in the market hit 4,600 unit sales.
