Citroën Fukang
Encyclopedia
The Fukang was the first in a range of cars produced for the Chinese
market by the Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile
group, a joint venture
between the French
PSA Peugeot Citroën
and a Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng.
The first Fukang appeared in 1992 as a semi-knock down production, rebadged Citroën ZX
hatchback. The car was called the Fukang DC7140 in China, the name translating as ‘Prosperity and Health’ in Chinese. Later on, the DC7160 with a fuel-injected 1.6 liter engine was added to the lineup. 17,000 of the SKD ZXs were built until late 1996, when Dongfeng's own two plants in Wuhan
province became up to speed and local production commenced. Local capacity was 150,000 per annum. Two years later, the first of a number of special Chinese market Citroën
models was launched when the Citroën Fukang 988 arrived. Presented in September 1998, this was a saloon version of the Fukang DC7160 and originally featured the larger 1.6 litre, fuel-injected engine. The saloon Fukang was developed by specialist engineering firm Heuliez
, who also developed a long wheelbase limousine version called the Fukang 988 VIP. The saloon versions continued until 2003, when they were replaced by an updated version of the theme, the Citroën Elysée
. However, the hatchback Fukang continued to be part of the Chinese Citroën range until 2009. On February 26, 2009, the new facelifted Citroën C Elysée hatchback finally replaced the Fukang. These models had also been joined in 2006 by the Citroën Xsara
, Picasso
and C-Triomphe
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
market by the Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile
Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile
Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile is a joint venture between the Dongfeng Motor Corporation and the French PSA Peugeot Citroën. Based in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, it manufactures Peugeot and Citroën models for sale in China...
group, a joint venture
Joint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
between the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
PSA Peugeot Citroën
PSA Peugeot Citroën
PSA Peugeot Citroën is a French manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot and Citroën marques. Headquartered in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, PSA is the second largest automaker based in Europe and the number eight in the world.-History:In December 1974 Peugeot S.A....
and a Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng.
The first Fukang appeared in 1992 as a semi-knock down production, rebadged Citroën ZX
Citroën ZX
The Citroën ZX is a small family car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën between 1991 and 1998.During the 1990s, the ZX was Citroën's competitor in the class traditionally dominated in Europe by the Ford Escort and Vauxhall/Opel Astra, a market segment Citroën had moved away from when the...
hatchback. The car was called the Fukang DC7140 in China, the name translating as ‘Prosperity and Health’ in Chinese. Later on, the DC7160 with a fuel-injected 1.6 liter engine was added to the lineup. 17,000 of the SKD ZXs were built until late 1996, when Dongfeng's own two plants in Wuhan
Wuhan
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, People's Republic of China, and is the most populous city in Central China. It lies at the east of the Jianghan Plain, and the intersection of the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Han rivers...
province became up to speed and local production commenced. Local capacity was 150,000 per annum. Two years later, the first of a number of special Chinese market Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
models was launched when the Citroën Fukang 988 arrived. Presented in September 1998, this was a saloon version of the Fukang DC7160 and originally featured the larger 1.6 litre, fuel-injected engine. The saloon Fukang was developed by specialist engineering firm Heuliez
Heuliez
Heuliez is a French company that works as a production and design unit for various automakers. It specializes in producing short series for niche markets, such as convertibles or station-wagons....
, who also developed a long wheelbase limousine version called the Fukang 988 VIP. The saloon versions continued until 2003, when they were replaced by an updated version of the theme, the Citroën Elysée
Citroën Elysée
The Citroën Elysée is a compact sedan car produced for the Chinese domestic market by the Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile, a joint venture between the French PSA Group and the Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng Motor.-Design:...
. However, the hatchback Fukang continued to be part of the Chinese Citroën range until 2009. On February 26, 2009, the new facelifted Citroën C Elysée hatchback finally replaced the Fukang. These models had also been joined in 2006 by the Citroën Xsara
Citroën Xsara
The Citroën Xsara is a small family car produced by French automaker Citroën from 1997 to 2006.Like its predecessor, the Citroën ZX, the Xsara shares running gear with the Peugeot 306....
, Picasso
Citroën Xsara
The Citroën Xsara is a small family car produced by French automaker Citroën from 1997 to 2006.Like its predecessor, the Citroën ZX, the Xsara shares running gear with the Peugeot 306....
and C-Triomphe
Citroën C-Triomphe
The Citroën C-Triomphe is a mid-size sedan automobile produced for the Chinese market by Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile, a joint venture between the French PSA Group and the Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng....
Awards
- In 2005, the Fukang was voted 'China's Best Value car' by Sina Automobile News, China Youth Today and Beijing Modern Business News.