Hongqi, official builder of the Chinese government, is getting closer to France…

Hongqi, the Chinese automobile manufacturer which officially transports all the country’s top leaders, has been eyeing Europe for a long time. After Norway and the Netherlands, he arrives at one of our immediate neighbors…

Hongqi is to China what Bentley is to the United Kingdom, Aurus to Russia (and formerly ZiL), or Toyota in Japan: a manufacturer which was chosen to carry out the heavy task of provide official vehicles to the country’s top leaders. Presidential limousines, ministers’ SUVs, parade convertibles… A brand reserved for China you might say? Well ! not at all, because imagine that it arrives very close to here…in Belgium ! More than the car itself – another large electric SUV – it is above all the manufacturer’s initiative that is attractive. Customers will be able to benefit from a driver at their disposal for 50 hours…

The Chinese Rolls Royce arrives at our Belgian friends

Hongqi’s Belgian importer, Hedin Automotive, has partnered with GetDriven, a platform that allows you to hire private chauffeur services in your own vehicle. HAS buying a Honqi HS-9customers will receive a personal code to enter into the application entitling them to 50 hours of use to take them wherever they want. They will thus be able to enjoy the refinements of their new acquisition while letting themselves be driven. Chinese car manufacturers, who are gaining success in Europe, are definitely very strong in marketing and communication operations! The Hongqi HS-9 is a large, 5.2 meter long, 100% electric SUV, available across Quiévrain in 6 or 7 seats.. All versions have two engines for an overall power of 435 or 551 horsepower.

A large electric SUV, for starters…

The most modest configuration receives a 76.5 kWh battery ensuring a range of 396 km; the second has a 90 kWh accumulator to 465 km WLTP. A Long Range version with a 120 kWh battery increases this range to 515 km. The main argument is of course the call price: €69,995. But up to €116,690 in the Long Range version. Hongqi is already officially distributed in Norway and the Netherlands, two European territories very fond of electric cars. Does its arrival at our borders suggest an imminent introduction into France? Nothing is less certain, because the brand has not yet confirmed anything on this subject, and it is certainly easier for it to establish itself in countries which do not have national manufacturers. In France, who knows if its models would be successful?

Aurus Motors official website

Moskvitch 3: a Chinese SUV in the former Renault factory in Moscow