I run a web site about the history of cars and I’m very keen to expand/improve the section in my web site that covers the history of Chinese cars. Can anyone help me?

My research currently indicates that the first car was brought into the country in 1902 by Empress Dowager Ci Xi.

I suspect there were some earlier, possibly steam powered, cars in use in the late 1890s. Does anyone know when the first car arrived in China? Was it before 1902?

SAIC and FAW have quite a history, im sure a few other guys on here can help

welcome :)

SAIC and FAW have quite a history, im sure a few other guys on here can help

welcome :)


heres a vid on the history of geely even tho its not really old
0hWNCYvFvgY

Auto.sina.com is making something about the history of car manufacturing in China:
http://auto.sina.com.cn/z/autochina30/01/index.html

But it's very politicaly-oriented.

I'm preparing my own story. I'll give you the url as I'm done.

Thanks for the response ASH (re SAIC & FAW). I do have some info on these two companies on my carhistory4u web site. The FAW entry, which needs improving, currently reads:

The First Automobile Works produced their first car, the Hongqi CA770, in 1958. It is considered the first car to be manufactured in China.

The 5700cc, 220 hp car had a V8 engine and was fitted with a 2 speed automatic gear box.

It was first shown to the public during the 10th National Day parade held in Tian’anmen Square, Beijing, in October 1958. For how long was the CA770 model produced and how many were made?

Other Hongqi CA models produced include the CA71, 72, 772, 760, 7080, 7220and, until 1998, the 7560 model. Information on these models required.

The First Automobile Works was built between 1953 and 1956 with assistance from the Russian ZIS/ZIL company. It initially produced a medium sized truck based on the ZIS 150 model.

Tianjin Xiali, a subsidiary of FAW, produced the Xiali model range, cars based on the 1987 Daihatsu Charade. These cars include the TJ7100 hatchback and the TJ7101U sedan. Information required. Dates produced, how many, etc.

Tianjin Xiali have produced an electric version of the Daihatsu Move called the Miles ZX40. In 2006 it became the first Chinese built car to be sold in the USA. Information on this car required.

FAW has entered into joint venture manufacturing agreements with Toyota (to produce the Prius/Platz/Vitz); Volkswagen (Jetta/Bora/Sagitar) and Audi (A4/A6L). When were these 3 agreements signed?

By 2004 the company had produced its one millionth car.

Hi Joest,

Thanks for the info. I look forward to your URL with much interest. I hope some of my historical info on cars in China, which I'll be posting over the next few days, helps you.

I mentioned in an earlier post that my research currently indicates that the first car was brought into the country in 1902 by Empress Dowager Ci Xi.

If it triggers off any thoughts on this important car I can add that it was made by the American Duryea Brothers and that the 4 hp car had a wooden body and a double row of seats. It was driven by Sun Fuling.

I would like to confirm the 1902 date and to establish if it really was the first car brought into China.

Help!
Can someone let me know the names/websites of the most popular search engines used in China? I think it would greatly help research into the history of cars in China.

Can anyone confirm that the Nanjing Fiat Company was formed in 1996? What models were produced?

This is the SAIC entry in my carhistory4u.com web site. I'm very interested in any comments, correction, additions, etc.


Shanghai Automotive produced their first car in September 1958.

The car was called the ‘Feng Huang’ (The Phoenix) and is believed to have been fitted with either a V8, 150 hp or 2300cc, 4-cylinder, 78 hp, engine. Which is correct? Both?

In 1964 the name was changed from ‘Phoenix’ to Shanghai SH760.

A 760A version was launched in 1968, followed by the 760B version in 1974.

By the time production of the SH760 series ceased, in November 1991, a total of 79,526 cars had been produced. Confirmation of this data required.

In the mid 1980’s (when exactly?) the company formed a joint venture with Volkswagen and started production of the ‘Santana’ (Passat), a mid sized/compact car.

Can anyone confirm that the Nanjing Fiat Company was formed in 1996? What models were produced?



i think u can find this info in teh list of chinese car manufacaturers or in a thread in each subforum..not sure of these stats on top of head

Thanks for the advice ASH. Much appreciated.

Can someone let me know the names/websites of the most popular search engines used in China?

The most widely used one is baidu (http://www.baidu.com/).
Google is still better, even for searches of Chinese websites.

Can anyone confirm that the Nanjing Fiat Company was formed in 1996? What models were produced?

The Fiat-Yuejin (Nanjing Auto's parent) joint venture began in 1999. It was called Nanya Automobile Co., Ltd. The Palio, Siena, and maybe the Stilo, were the first models.

Trivia Tim - thanks for the info about baidu and google. Very helpful.

dragin – thank you very much for the Fiat information. As a result I’ve uncovered the following which will help me update the Nanjing Automotive Group entry in my car history web site http://www.carhistory4u.com.


I plan to significantly improve the “China” entry in Part 2, The Last 100 Years, Section 8.3 of my web site. Any information on cars in China will be much appreciated.

Nanjing Automobile Group

In 1999 the Nanjing Group formed a joint venture with Fiat called Nanya Automobile Company Ltd (Nanjing Fiat Automobile Co).

The first cars produced were the Palio and the Siena. In what year?

Four versions of the Palio “super-mini” were available; the saloon, pick-up, estate wagon and 3 door and 5 door hatchback. Were all versions produced in China?

The Siena was a 4-door version of the Palio. The 2001 mark ll model had either a 1 litre 70 hp or 1.2 litre 82 hp engine. Were both types of engines supplied in China?

In 2003 the company produced 36,739 vehicles.

In 2006 the company launched the Perla model, a car based in Fiat’s Albea model. It was supplied with a 1.7 litre engine.

I believe the first Model T Ford arrived in China in 1913. Can anyone tell me if any still exist in China?

I have now registered my carhistory4u web site in China as:
www.carhistory4u.cn. I'm hoping it will generate the sort of feedback I need to improve my write up on the history of cars in China.