Chinese luxury carmaker Hongqi announced on September 9 that it plans to launch 15 electric and hybrid vehicle models in Europe by 2028, covering 25 markets, as it unveiled its compact electric SUV, the EHS5, at the IAA Mobility auto show in Munich.
Hongqi, also known as Red Flag and historically favored by former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, already sells vehicles in several European countries, including Norway, the Netherlands, and Poland. The company, a unit of state-owned FAW, aims to establish more than 200 dealerships across Europe by 2028.
FAW’s design chief Giles Taylor highlighted that the EHS5 offers a 550-kilometer (342-mile) range and can charge from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes. He described the EHS5 as “more dynamic and a bit more youthful” than the EHS9, a full-size electric vehicle currently sold in Europe. Taylor added that the vehicle is suitable for urban and suburban use, catering to families and individual drivers. Pricing and sales timeline for the EHS5 have not been disclosed.
Background
Hongqi joins other Chinese automakers, such as BYD, Chery, and Changan, seeking profitable EV sales in Europe amid a competitive domestic market. Earlier this year, China’s Leapmotor announced it would provide an EV platform to Hongqi to support overseas production, with CEO Zhu Jiangming noting it will be used for a Hongqi EV entering production in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Conclusion
The expansion into Europe reflects Hongqi’s strategic push to strengthen its presence in the international EV market. The planned model launches and dealership network aim to capture growing consumer demand in Europe, while also navigating competition and technology collaborations to ensure sustainable growth for Chinese luxury EV brands abroad.
Source: This article is based on publicly available reporting from Reuters.
Original link: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/chinas-luxury-automaker-hongqi-launch-15-models-europe-by-2028-2025-09-09/
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