This Premium Automotive Manufacturer From China Will Be Listed On The UK In 2026

Hongqi EH7. (Doc. Hongqi Auto)

JAKARTA - Automotive manufacturer from China, Hongqi confirmed it will expand its market in Europe by entering British territory by 2026 by offering electric vehicle models.

FAW President of Overseas Operations Yang Dayong, said that European customers can appreciate the quality products of this brand and are expected to exceed expectations from consumers.

"We understand European customers value the high quality of products, and we believe Hongqi can exceed those expectations," Dayong said as quoted by Autocar, Monday, July 15.

Although the launch date in the UK has yet to be confirmed, FAW Design Chiefosis Taylor said that the brand is considering entering the market in the next two years.

The time is to allow the conversion of electric vehicles on the right lane and to build a network of dealers, and it will coincide with plans for improvement on both models.

The former Rolls-Royce official also revealed that his party will present models such as EH7 and EHS7 which are said to be competing in the latest Series-5. It's nothing surprising considering that this brand will compete in the premium vehicle segment.

"This is a premium offer, and when we designed this car, we thought of it as a competitor to the BMW Series-5," Taylor said.

In addition, Taylor added that his party also serves and prioritizes customers who want to order vehicles with the option as desired.

"We are the oldest luxury brands to dare to expand outside China, so we have to offer customers a level of personalization," Taylor added.

The manufacturer, which is owned by the FAW Car, will offer EH7 as an SUV-style saloon and EHS7. The highest variant will have an electric motor of 608 dk and a torque of 756 Nm capable of running from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds for the EH7 and 3.9 seconds for the EHS7.

Both will offer a battery with a capacity of 85 kWh and 111 kWh which can provide a range of 579 km and 529 km in the WLTP cycle.

Hongqi claims that both of them are capable of charging with a fast-charging device measuring 246 kW. Both will also be offered rear wheel steering and air suspension.

The brand, which was founded in 1958, will not launch a pure gasoline (ICE) car on the blue continent, but manufacturers will open up opportunities to present hybrid vehicles.

"The EV model is the main one, but we will present a hybrid model in the end, given the current market conditions," Taylor said.

The manufacturer has been expanding into the global market since 2018 and now it is offering a pure EV on the Danish, Swedish and Norwegian markets.