Mingjun FAW Huakai

[erik (laofan), cmvdc]

Hello, Dmitra. What about FAW Huakai, CA1020KBL8C1R and KBLBC1R; are they in current production and where?

[dmitra]

Hello Erik,

First, thanks for addressing a question to me. I consider it an honor.

Huakai had been a sub-brand of FAW, much like Jiefang, and included light, medium, and heavy commercial vehicles.

The pickups that you allude to comprise four models till now:

CA1020KBL8C1R
CA1020EL8C1R
CA1021ELBC1R
CA1030KBLBC1R

(Note - some characters are "B", some are "8")

All are double-cabin pickups, with the last two having longer cargo beds. These models have been approved by NDRC in Notices #251 and #255.

The manufacturer is officially given as Changchun FAW Light Vehicle Factory (长春一汽轻型车厂), but this company is known from 2010 onward as Changchun FAW Huakai Automobile Co. (长春一汽华凯汽车有限公司).

Interestingly, this is not part of the FAW group, but was acquired from FAW along with three other companies, i.e. -

FAW (Sichuan) Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd.,
Changchun FAW Hongding Automobile Co. Ltd,
Harbin FAW Gearbox Factory.

- by the Chengdu-based Mingjun group around 2009 under a disinvestment plan by FAW. It is reported in some financial articles that Mingjun owns 65-80% of these companies, with FAW being a minority shareholder.

Even more interestingly, this article mentions that the new pickups which have recently gained approval, were developed in cooperation with, guess who? - Kawei !

The Huakai factory is in Changchun and this article here claims that Mingjun group is heavily investing in the Changchun plant to modernize the plant and enhance capacity.

Links:
Mingjun Auto Group: http://www.mingjunauto.com/

Corporate Structure: http://www.mingjunauto.com/simple-10-2-2.html


(The second "branch" in the organization tree is Huakai)

Mingjun subsidiary list: http://www.mingjungroup.com/List/27.html

Brief description and history of Huakai : http://www.chida.gov.cn/showNews.do?id=2074

As for production, I simply have no information. Since they have approval, trial or pilot production may be taking place, but I am not aware. If you (or any other member) come across any information contrary to this, please feel free to share.

I think you already know much of what I have said above, but I still wrote it down for the benefit of other visitors and to elicit any valuable responses from them.

Also, a couple of pics to let visitors know what we are talking about.




Source: Chinacar.com.cn

[erik (laofan), cmvdc]

Many many thanks Dmitra. We probably have to wait till the products show up in the announced facility in Changchun.
There is also a SUV, which I included with an earlier pickup in my catalogue in 2011 (www.chinesecars.net). These pickups are in NDRC 239 and 240 (CA1023K15L240APM1, CA1023K15L240APR5M1, CA1026K28L, the SUV is in NDRC 205, named CA6480QK (that was already in 2010).
Changchun Light Vehicle Factory has a long history, named before Changchun Dongfeng Auto Works (erected in 1969) which produced the CD130-series of light trucks. When FAW took over the factory (1991), it produced CA1040 small trucks.

[erik (laofan), cmvdc]

Note that this SUV is in fact the Great Wall Hover...or a copy...

[dmitra]

Yes, Erik, you are quite right. I read a bit of their history while researching for the above pickups.

Thanks for mentioning the SUV [CA6460QK - CA6480QK is the chassis (底盘) designation] and those other trucks. I had compiled a basic database from 2006 to April 2011 from information published on "www.autoinfo.gov.cn/app/cpzz/" (that link is now dead), and this SUV is included in the list of vehicles in November 2009. Although an early attempt by the rejuvenated firm to enter the passenger car sector, nothing much became of it, I believe.

Note to visitors: This CA6460 should not be confused with the other past SUVs from FAW/Zhongneng also designated CA6460/CA6480.

You may have seen this article which talks about one of their trucks:
http://www.fawcn.cn/www.faw.com/faw_...8093300011.htm
_______________________

OK, slightly off topic, but for amusement, here are two "me-too" products which did not see light of day. Both are from 2010, and were proposed by the commercial vehicle manufacturer, Dayun (or Grand Canal) group.(Brief intro here).
Websites: www.cddayun.com, www.dayunauto.com
CCF Thread: https://www.chinacarforums.com/forum/...ead.php?t=8069

The RAV4/Jonway A380/Beilu Color clone is CGC6450, and the Changan Star 2 clone is CGC6390BD3 (or perhaps they were modifications?)

[erik (laofan), cmvdc]

Also Dayun was in 2011 in my catalogue.
Wanfeng (longer ago in my catalogue) has a new pickup (ZWQ1021AF) under development. That's a nice couple with the ZWQ6490M suv. Wanfeng will return in my catalogue

[dmitra]

Yes, Zhejiang Wanfeng's new pickup is listed in the current (255) notice. Also, Wanfeng has created an electric version of its SUV.

ZWQ1021AF:

ZWQ5001BEV (Electric ZWQ6490M)

But I digress too much. Let me keep this discussion mainly to Huakai. I am also keeping an eye on MIIT's Fuel Efficiency table, so when they list the new Huakai pickups, we shall probably get to know. Anyway, without this certification, sales cannot begin.

[dmitra]

Pickup launch: http://www.zged.cn/htmls/20141024093521.html

Production will take place not in Changchun, but at Mingjun Longyu Automobile Co. in the Zigong Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone in Zigong city, Sichuan.

http://www.zggx.gov.cn/content.aspx?id=941042476643


From website:

[CCF mod]

[CCF mod]

http://price.pcauto.com.cn/cars/m41224-o1/
http://price.pcauto.com.cn/cars/m41225-o1/
http://price.pcauto.com.cn/cars/sg13029/


Trucks:
https://mojalbum.com/martinkrpan/album-95/foto/24000235
https://mojalbum.com/martinkrpan/album-95/foto/24000234