But who is HONGQI, one of the stars of the Auto Show?

HONGQI made a splash debut at the Paris Motor Show, unveiling its new electric vehicles, the EH7 sedan and the EHS7 SUV.

HONGQI is not exactly a newcomer to the automotive market since the manufacturer produced its first car in … 1958! The CA72 then became the first independently produced and mass-produced model in China. A “Hongqi” has since designated in the Middle Kingdom a state vehicle reserved for leaders and a prestige car used during major national events. It’s amusing that in France, we barely know the world’s leading producer of electrified cars, BYD, and not at all an almost 70-year-old brand like HONGQI. It’s so much easier to think that Chinese cars are disposable junk hastily made. The wake-up call is going to be harsh…

By the end of the 1970s, Hongqi began to make some timid commercial attempts outside its borders, but without great success. In the early 2020s, a very aggressive new strategy and a new design concept led to an increase in domestic sales and a significant rise in global exports. In 2024, the brand arrives in France with two well-thought-out and finished models. Trust us, this initiative is anything but a one-night stand.

The EH7 and EHS7 are built on the new HONGQI Tiangong electric platform. A platform designed solely to accommodate 100% electric powertrains, significantly increasing range and reducing charging times. The EH7 boasts a range of 655 kilometers, while the EHS7 offers 600 kilometers. Both models are equipped with fast-charging technology that allows them to go from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes. Are we starting to take the brand seriously?

The appearance of French singer Joyce Jonathan at the HONGQI stand, who became the first official owner of a HONGQI EHS7 registered in France, added a touch of glamour to the presentation of these models, but also caused quite a few chuckles. A quick search reveals that the young French woman is a real star in China. The goal was therefore not to please the visitors at the show, but to establish connections between France and China. While the wise will see this as a global communication strategy, the fools will limit themselves to gossip. A summary of the complete lack of foresight of old Europe regarding the global Chinese automotive offensive.

HONGQI now aims to establish a vast sales and service network in 29 European countries. Over the next five years, the brand plans to launch 20 additional new models, and you know what? It will certainly do this and sell them.