FAW launches Hongqi in Thailand with E-HS9 as first model

Chinese state-owned automaker FAW has brought its luxury brand Hongqi to Thailand and launched the E-HS9 as its first model in the market. It has appointed Metro Group as the official distributor and strategic partner for the brand.

FAW offers the Hongqi E-HS9 in Thailand in only one configuration, priced at 2.99 million baht (approximately €79,300). The company says this is an introductory price applicable to the first 400 units only, but it has yet to disclose the regular price that will apply thereafter. It is bundling a one-year comprehensive insurance package, a wall charger, 24-hour roadside assistance for up to five years, a five-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty, and an eight-year/160,000-km battery warranty with the purchase of the first 400 units.

Metro Group has opened two showrooms in Thailand initially, both located in Bangkok. It plans to expand the network to ten dealerships within three years. Of the remaining eight outlets, the company will open three in Bangkok, and one each in the northern, north-eastern, central, eastern and southern regions of Thailand.

The Hongqi E-HS9 is 5.21 m long, 2.01 m wide and 1.71 m tall, and its wheelbase spans 3.11 m. FAW manufactures it in four-, six- and seven-seat versions, but in Thailand, it offers only the six-seat configuration. This setup provides 255 litres of luggage space, expandable to 1,747 litres by folding the third- and second-row seats.

Powering the Thai-spec Hongqi E-HS9 are two permanent-magnet synchronous motors that deliver a combined output of 362 kW and 606 Nm of torque, providing all-wheel drive capability. The full-size electric SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of 200 km/h. A 120 kWh NMC battery pack supplies energy to these motors and gives the vehicle a WLTC range of 548 kilometres. With a peak charging capacity of just 140 kW, a 10-80% charging session takes 48 minutes.

According to a report from Autolifethailand.tv, Metro Group is targeting sales of 2,000 units in 2027 and aims to increase that figure to 4,000 units by 2029. FAW plans to display the Hongqi brand’s Golden Sunflower series at the annual Thai Motor Expo in December and introduce more models in Thailand in the future.

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