Hongqi, China’s oldest passenger-car brand, could be eyeing a launch in South Africa, based on recent trademark applications in Mzansi. Here’s what we know about the Chinese firm…
Ever heard of Hongqi? Founded back in 1958, it’s recognised as China’s oldest passenger-car brand. And, based on freshly unearthed trademark applications, this marque may well be gearing up for a launch in South Africa.
Yes, Cars.co.za has discovered that the FAW Group – the Chinese state-owned automaker that these days serves as Hongqi’s parent company – filed to trademark the “Hongqi” name in South Africa in February 2025, while also applying to protect brand logos used by the 67-year-old marque.
While a trademark application is by no means a guarantee that the brand in question will actually enter the country, we also stumbled across a few other clues. For instance, South Africa is included in a dropdown menu (among several other countries) on a “dealer application” page that forms part of Hongqi’s global website.
We also know Hongqi (which incidentally means “red flag” in Chinese) is in the process of developing right-hand-drive versions of certain of its vehicles, with the FAW Group having announced in 2024 that it plans to introduce the Hongqi brand to the United Kingdom by 2026.
In addition, during its “Globalisation Business Press Conference” at Auto Shanghai 2025, Hongqi revealed bold plans to “expand into 100+ countries and regions” within the next 5 years. The automaker has already entered various left-hand-drive European markets, including Norway, Denmark and Sweden, as well as certain Middle Eastern countries.
Billed as a luxury brand, Hongqi produces China’s state limousines. In fact, the marque started out building only such vehicles for state leaders and foreign dignitaries. Today, however, its range is far broader, also including other sedans such as the H5 (also known as the Ousado), H6 and H9, along with fully electric saloons like the E-QM5 and E-H7.
Of course, the Hongqi portfolio furthermore features SUVs and crossovers in the form of the HS3, HS5 and HS7, plus battery-powered alternatives like the E-HS7 and E-HS9. Giles Taylor, the British designer who once worked at Rolls-Royce and Jaguar (where he was responsible for the exterior styling of models like the Phantom VIII and X351-series XJ) now oversees design at Hongqi.
Will we see the Hongqi brand enter South Africa? Well, only time with tell. But it’s worth keeping in mind that FAW already has a strong presence in Mzansi, even if it no longer operates in the passenger-car space (with such models having previously been imported by Motus). FAW Trucks Southern Africa not only sells various commercial vehicles locally but also operates an assembly plant in Coega in the Eastern Cape…
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