China carmaker FAW to roll out 17 models by 2025

CHANGCHUN — Chinese automaker FAW Group said it will introduce 17 car models, mostly electric, by 2025.

At a press conference held in Beijing Monday, FAW Group chairman Xu Liuping said that with the new Hongqi (Red Flag) models, the State-owned carmaker will make strides in new energy vehicles and intelligent connectivity.

The Hongqi subsidiary will roll out its first electric car model this year and in the years leading up to 2025, it will introduce another 14 electric car models, Xu said.

The new electric car models in 2020 are expected to have an endurance mileage of 600 kilometers, he said.

The new models will be equipped with Level 3 automated driving in 2019, Level 4 automated driving in 2020 and Level 5 automated driving in 2025, Xu said.

The Hongqi subsidiary set an annual sales target of 100,000 units in 2020, 300,000 units in 2025 and 500,000 units in 2035.

Hongqi made its debut as a parade sedan at Tian'anmen Square in the center of Beijing during China's 10th National Day celebration in 1959.

Since then, the Hongqi sedan has long been featured in parades during major national celebrations. But the brand has not sold well in the consumer market.

Established in 1953 and headquartered in the northeastern Chinese city of Changchun, FAW has other brands, including Jiefang and Besturn. It also has joint ventures with major foreign carmakers such as Volkswagen and Toyota.