FAW’s high-end Chinese language model, Hongqi, will construct automobiles utilizing modular structure from Stellantis-backed Leapmotor. The primary mannequin will go into manufacturing within the second half of 2026 to spice up the oldest Chinese language automotive model’s NEV gross sales. Later, the primary Leapmotor-based mannequin with a Hongqi badge will enter the International market.
In March 2025, Stellantis-backed Leapmotor and FAW Group signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on strategic cooperation. The 2 events aimed to collectively develop new power automobiles (BEV+EREV+PHEV) and cooperate on the elements provide chain. In late April, Reuters reported that Leapmotor will present its electrical platform to Hongqi.
Leapmotor to cooperate with Hongqi
In accordance with the supply, Leapmotor will present the electrical car platform for Hongqi, China’s oldest passenger automotive model. Leapmotor’s newest automobiles undertake the LEAP 3.5 modular structure. It helps the 800V high-voltage system, CTC 2.0 expertise, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8650 chip, and the 27-in-1 built-in thermal administration system.
It appears that evidently the brand new Hongqi automotive will stand on the Leapmotor’s LEAP 3.5 platform. An individual aware of the matter additionally confirmed this data, stating that the brand new Hongqi automotive (codenamed G117) will probably be primarily based on the identical platform that underpins the just lately launched Leapmotor B10. Throughout the Shanghai Auto Present 2025, Leapmotor CEO Zhu Jiangming claimed that his firm will collectively develop a mannequin for abroad markets. This mannequin will go into manufacturing within the second half of 2026 beneath the Hongqi model.
The Hongqi chief designer, Giles Taylor, stated that regardless of utilizing the Leapmotor platform, the looks and driving expertise will proceed the present design fashion of Hongqi and replicate the idea of Chinese language aesthetics. Giles Taylor talked about that Hongqi will “add its personal magic” to the automotive.
Editor’s remark
As we now have beforehand talked about, Hongqi electrical automobiles suffered from gradual gross sales in China. One of many core causes for that is the excessive value of the model’s NEVs, which isn’t on par with different luxurious EV makers. The cooperation with Leapmotor could assist Hongqi to launch a lower-priced product. Nonetheless, it would additionally face a problem of biased prospects. Hongqi’s high-end automobiles will probably be primarily based on the identical platform that underpins the mass-market Leapmotor B10, with a beginning value of 13,850 USD.
