BEIJING — Hongqi (Red Flag) sedans have been around since 1958 in China; in fact, these luxury automobiles were among the first locally made passenger cars in the postwar era. Now a new generation is being prepared.

Back in the 1950s and '60s, Hongqi sedans, the products of the First Automobile Works (FAW) in Changchun, were derived from Soviet representative limousines. Audi and Lincoln models from the 1980s have been redesigned to revitalize the Hongqi lineup, which is being used by party leaders, officials and municipal leaders all over the country.

More recently, FAW has been working on replacements for its Hongqi models. Two prototypes were shown at the 2005 Shanghai Auto Show: an upper midsize sedan based on the Toyota Crown and the local version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The third model, apparently the luxury version of the Mazda 6, has been kept under cover until now.

But late last week FAW held a preview ceremony for the car, still being referred to by its development code name of C301. The C301 is based on the Mazda 6 and will be equipped with its 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. When it goes on sale in July, it will be priced starting at about $25,000.

What this means to you: More new products for a product-hungry marketplace.

Link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=110181#2

Yep, another ugly chinese car.

Edited April 26, 200619 yr by Dodgefan

looks better then most of the chinese cars i've seen

I agree, but it's still ugly and cheap-looking.

These company names are hilarious!

These company names are hilarious!

Yeah, not a single one of them has a decent name.

Looking at the car again, I see a bit of Cobalt in the profile. Is it just me?