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Beijing Automobile Works (BAW) Introduction

111K views 99 replies 19 participants last post by  CCF mod 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Beijing Automobile Works Co., Ltd is one of the pioneers of Chinese automobile industry, the origin and epitome of the development of automobile industry in Beijing in the last half century, and the representative brand of the nation.

The former Beijing Automobile Works was founded in 1958 as the second largest automobile factory in China, with its name inscribed by Mr. Zhude, Chairman of the National People’s Congress. In 2001, it was developed into Beijing Automobile Works Co., Ltd. (BAW) based on modern enterprise system.

BAW has been manufacturing light off-road vehicles and trucks for 40 years, and is crowned as "family of road-off vehicles". While focusing on off-road vehicles, it also develops commercial vehicles and special vehicles to meet the demands of military users, the domestic civilian market as well as the overseas market.With an accumulated productive capacity of over 1 million vehicles, and a sound contribution to the economic development and national defense, it becomes the fixed supplier of military purpose vehicles and the backbone company in the light off-road industry.

BAW, headquartering in Chaoyang District of Beijing, has two separate plants, one in Chaoyang District, the other in Shunyi District. The capacity is 100,000 units per year. Its comprehensive distribution and service network covers the whole Chinese market, including all the provinces, cities and municipalities.

BAW takes the lead in China in independent R&D and manufacturing, the fruits of which include 4 series of products, military light off-road vehicles, civilian light off-road vehicles (SUV), trucks and amphibious vehicles. It has also established numerous independent brands, including Lu Ba (light off-road vehicle), Qi Ling (light &middle truck), Lu Ling (pickup), Zhan Qi and amphibious vehicle, etc.


Beijing Auto Works BJ2032 Tornado:
http://www.carnewschina.com/2012/03/20/history-the-beijing-auto-works-bj2032-tornado/




http://www.mojalbum.com/martinkrpan/avt017/foto/19533781
http://www.mojalbum.com/martinkrpan/avt017/foto/19533786

second generation
 
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#55 ·
BAW Zhanqi BJ2030CEB2 (long)

Looks like the extended 3-door hardtop version (see post #50) is on its way out. The dealers' lists for 2018 Zhanqi models show three variants only: Zhanqi 5-door CK, Zhanqi standard 5-door, and Gladiator. The list from Autohome shows the extended hardtop among discontinued models.

From Bitauto and Autohome:


 

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#60 · (Edited)
Units like BAW and Foton act more autonomously with respect to the parent group. In fact, BAW is not even owned by BAIC Group Co. Ltd. in the formal sense.

Quote from here as translated:
According to this idea, the reformed BAIC Holdings no longer manages the specific production and operation of the subordinate enterprises, but assigns directors and managers to the subordinate enterprises as the owners of the property rights, and influences the development of the enterprise through the board of directors of the enterprise. BAIC is mainly responsible for the macro planning and strategic layout of the Beijing auto industry.
Note: BAIC Holdings = BAIC Group Co. Ltd. now.

Read the last few paragraphs from the above link to see the twists and turns in the history of BAW (Beijing Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd.). The article is somewhat old (2009), so names and shareholders may have changed.

BAW is owned by "Beijing Automobile Assembly Factory", which is owned by Yao Changsheng, the general manager.

BAW current corporate profile: https://www.qichacha.com/firm_7286b0308c0ea72972d2ac3283634d76.html

P.S.: Also note, BAW and BAIC Off-Road (that makes BJ80/CTL151 and BJ40/L) are not formally related to each other. So never say the BJ80 (also called Yongshi) and BAW Yongshi (BJ2022JC and successors) are from the same firm :)
 
#61 ·
Thank you for the clarification, DMitra.
Seems like the big shake out in BAIC occurred around time of Wang Dazhong's short tenure.
As for the original Beijing Auto Works factory, it was located in the Chaoyang district of Beijing. Now it appears that only the BAW headquarters office remains there while its, and all Beiqi enterprises, production have been moved to sites outside of the city.

A look at Bloomberg's online information indicates that it is somewhat out of date.
https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=6479020
 
#62 ·
New variant BJ212 1.5T (BJ2023CHA1)

BAW has launched a new variant of the BJ212 with the Mitsubishi 4A91T 1.5T petrol engine, which powers many vehicles from different Chinese manufacturers. It outputs 110 kW (150 hp) of power [100 kW net] and 200-210 Nm of torque. Otherwise, the BJ212 is available with 2.0L petrol or 2.8L turbodiesel engines.

The Zhanqi too will be available with this engine soon (BJ2033CHA1).
 
#64 · (Edited)
@CCF mod, the pictures in post #63 are not those of the BJ212 1.5T, despite what the Autohome gallery claims. The rear clearly shows the model to be a BJ2023CHB3 which has the 2.0L 75 kW 4G20C engine.

Looks like the dealer or BAW rep did not have an actual 1.5T at their disposal by the time of the photoshoot and stuck the 1.5T's specification sheet behind the windscreen of this particular vehicle, misleading the photographer. I wouldn't expect every auto website staff member to be well-conversant with NDRC codes or for him/her to check the relevant sites before a photoshoot :)
 
#66 ·
2019 bj212

The BJ212 with the new front clip shown above, unveiled in late December, is the "New Chassis" (新款底盘) model that is at present a prototype/test car but could go into production later this year (the latest 1.5T on sale still uses the old front clip/body panels as seen here). Note that doors are new, the body seems more taut, and exterior fit/finish has improved greatly.




Besides the revision at the front, the most important change has been made to the suspension. Borrowing from the 007, the new model will have a front independent, coil spring/rear multi-link, coil spring, non-independent setup*. This is to improve ride comfort. Whereas, the current version has a longitudinal leaf spring, non-independent setup front and rear.




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*from forum discussions
 
#67 ·
The gray vehicle at top looks like an altogether different body, with a much shorter front overhang, and possibly a shorter wheelbase.
And, in these two photos of the suspension, it looks like the top one is the old front suspension with longitudinal leaf springs, and the bottom one is the new rear suspension with multi-link and coil springs.
 
#68 · (Edited)
You are correct. Pictures #1 & 3 are of the current BJ212 (BJ2023CHA1; 1.5T), #2 & 4 are of the "New Chassis" model.

All versions of the current BJ212 have dimensions of 4080 x 1840 x 1870 mm, wheelbase 2300 mm. The truck/troop carrier versions with 2 doors and longer bodies are sold no more.

Now, please refer to this image. This spec sheet is stuck to the windshield of the "New Chassis" model and proclaims so at the top (新款底盘). Here we see the dimensions are 4080 x 1840 x 1870 mm; wheelbase 2300 mm, which are the same as above, i.e those of the current BJ212. But, as you say, visually the bodies look clearly different, and I cannot reconcile this with what the spec sheet says.

Is it possible that the body shell itself (measured top to bottom) is now narrower/sleeker, producing the illusion that the "New Chassis" model is longer? Note also that because of the new slim hood/bonnet, the windshield and consequently the canvas roof are in a lower position.

_____________________

A true long-wheelbase prototype of the BJ212 diesel was shown February last year (see posts 52 and 53). It had dimensions of 4340 x 1840 x 1930 mm; wheelbase 2540 mm.

_____________________

Recall that the Zhanqi (closely related to the BJ212) comes in two lengths: 4080 mm (CK) and 4340 mm (hardtop), with wheelbases of 2300 mm and 2500 mm respectively.
 
#69 ·
Thank you D Mitra. Now after a second look it was probably the shorter front overhang that threw me off. But the because of the shorter overhang the body overall length looks shorter as well, but the specs show that too is an illusion. Of course the change from front leaf to coil springs is a key factor. Unlike unibody models, the ladder frame design makes it quite easy to change the body without altering specs.
 
#72 ·
To my surprise, BAW has yet to face much serious competition from its old foreign partner, now relocated to down south.
However the interior of this model looks rather primitive....lots of bone-breaking corners and edges nearby, for those being jostled by off road, and other, encounters.
But to its credit, BAW has now gotten those pedals to line up.
 
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