Industry dynamics

Hongqi gifted to China's athletes for Olympic success

Publishtime:1970-01-01 08:00:00 Views:2
Liu Changqing, assistant to the general manager of FAW Group and vice-president of the Hongqi brand operations committee, and gymnast Liu Yang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese vehicle brand Hongqi delivered EH7 Glory Edition sedans to Olympic athlete representatives on Wednesday in Beijing, showcasing national pride shared by the brand and athletes.

Chinese gold medalists in diving, including Chen Yuxi, Cao Yuan and Wang Zongyuan, as well as world champion in gymnastics Liu Yang, were among those at the event.

In early summer, the Hongqi brand announced that each time the national flag was hoisted during the Paris Olympics, a Hongqi EH7 Glory Edition sedan would be awarded to the victor.

It is the third consecutive Olympic Games that Hongqi has been gifting vehicles to Chinese medal-winning athletes.

The Hongqi EH7 Glory Edition has undergone 3,000 sketch design drafts and 400 rounds of refinement.

The company also customized vehicles for athletes. For example, BMX freestyle cyclist Deng Yawen wanted a pink Hongqi and gymnast Liu wanted his in the national flag's color.

The EH7 has a wheelbase of 3,000 millimeters, leading in its class with superior rear seating space. It can accelerate from 0-100 kilometers per hour in 3.5 seconds and has a maximum range of up to 820 km.

According to official data, the wholesales of FAW Hongqi reached 201,500 units in the first half, an increase of 42.6 percent year-on-year. Its retail sales surpassed 190,900 units during the period, up 25 percent year-on-year.