FAW Hongqi CA72 History

Introduced on 1 August 1958 and entering small-scale production in 1959, the CA72 was the People's Republic of China's first representative state sedan, built by FAW in Changchun. Its proportions and styling drew inspiration from 1950s American limousines, powered by a locally produced 147 kW (200 PS) V8 engine.

Production was strictly limited to state institutions and the senior leadership of the Chinese Communist Party; by the time the run ended in 1965 only 202 units had been completed, including four open-top 'inspection' convertibles used at public parades. The CA72 established Hongqi — meaning 'Red Flag' — as the brand for China's most prestigious domestic automobiles.