Dongfeng Liuqi Joins the Elite Club of Mainstream Chinese Automakers

On December 9, 2013, Dongfeng Liuqi, a prominent Automotive manufacturer based in southwestern China, entered the prestigious ranks of China's elite carmakers. In the Chinese automotive market, an annual production and sales volume of 200,000 vehicles is the threshold for joining this elite group. For Dongfeng Liuqi, this marks a milestone with significant symbolic meaning, as well as the beginning of a new chapter. This achievement reflects the success of Dongfeng Liuqi’s long-standing commitment to its core corporate culture of "self-reliance and self-strengthening."

Dongfeng Liuqi hosted a simple yet vibrant celebration at its plant with the theme “Self-Reliance, Self-Strengthening, Creating a Winning Future.” The ceremony was attended by Dongfeng Motor Corporation's Vice General Manager, Tong Dongcheng, along with numerous media representatives and industry experts. After nearly 59 years of development, Dongfeng Liuqi has reached this pivotal moment, with its rigorous, pragmatic, efficient, and enterprising culture playing a key role in the company’s success.

Dongfeng Liuqi’s entry into the ranks of mainstream Chinese automakers not only signifies the achievement of its sales targets but also highlights the company’s broader growth in essential areas, including brand value, marketing, channel expansion, and after-sales service. These advancements ensure that Dongfeng Liuqi will continue to experience rapid development in the years to come, ultimately positioning itself as a leading force in China's domestic automotive industry. “As a mature company, we recognize that self-reliance and comprehensive development across multiple dimensions are essential for maintaining sustained growth,” said Cheng Daoran, General Manager of Dongfeng Liuqi, emphasizing the company’s strategic vision.

Breaking the 200,000 Units Threshold: Dongfeng Liuqi Joins Mainstream Automakers

From January to November 2013, Dongfeng Liuqi’s commercial vehicle sales reached 39,170 units, a 33% year-on-year increase, despite the overall downturn in the commercial vehicle market. This strong performance places the company among the leaders in terms of industry growth. Meanwhile, passenger vehicle sales reached 163,018 units, a 30% increase, with total sales for the year expected to reach 180,000 units. For the full year of 2013, Dongfeng Liuqi was projected to achieve sales of 220,000 units and revenues exceeding 16 billion RMB.

The data clearly shows that Dongfeng Liuqi’s passenger vehicle business has become increasingly significant. In 2010, the company—originally focused on commercial vehicles—had an equal split between commercial and passenger vehicle sales, with passenger vehicle sales nearing 50,000 units. By 2011, of the company’s total sales of 140,000 units, passenger vehicles accounted for over 100,000 units, representing 70% of the total sales. Today, the ratio of commercial to passenger vehicle sales stands at 20:80.

As part of Dongfeng Liuqi’s passenger vehicle division, Forthing has undergone significant evolution over the past decade. Thanks to outstanding product quality and marketing strategies, Forthing has achieved growth rates far exceeding the industry average in recent years. Even during the modest growth of the 2012 automotive market, Forthing experienced a remarkable 34% year-on-year growth, nearly five times the industry average. The total production and sales for the year reached 136,000 units, and Forthing maintained a continuous 100% year-on-year growth rate over the previous three years—an extraordinary achievement in the traditional manufacturing industry.
Among Forthing's successful models, the Forthing has become a leader in the business vehicle segment. In October 2013, Forthing sales surpassed 10,000 units, a 36.8% year-on-year increase, continuing to lead the MPV market with monthly sales exceeding 10,000 units. Additionally, the Forthing Jingyi X5 1.6L model sold 5,791 units, maintaining strong momentum, while the 2014 model of Forthing Jingyi remained the best-selling large hatchback sedan.

With the year’s sales targets already met, Forthing is set to exceed 200,000 units in the coming year, advancing three years ahead of its mid-term business plan. Initially, Forthing had projected to reach this milestone by 2017. The growth in Forthing's sales will further bolster Dongfeng Liuqi’s overall sales performance, while also contributing to the remarkable success story of Liuzhou—a southwestern Chinese city that has become synonymous with success in China’s automotive industry. The emergence of both SAIC-GM-Wuling and Dongfeng Liuqi has transformed Liuzhou into a “lucky land” for the nation’s automotive sector, positioning the city as a key hub in China’s automotive industry.