China's first domestic sedan born 60 years ago

Saturday marked the 60th anniversary of the completion of China's first domestically-developed sedan car.

Late Chinese leader Mao Zedong inspects a Dongfeng CA71, China's first domestically-developed sedan. [File Photo: 163.com]

In 1957, the First Automobile Works (FAW) in Changchun, in northeast China's Jilin Province, began designing the country's first sedan, about a year after China's first truck rolled off the FAW production line in April 1956.

Using France's Simca Vedette as its starting point, FAW finished the design drawings in less than six months. Because of a lack of experience, construction of the car was difficult work, and even the sedan's body had to be handmade.

Despite the difficulties, on May 12 1958, the first Dongfeng CA71 was completed. With a four-cylinder inline engine, it had a top speed of 128 kilometers an hour.

A Dongfeng CA71 at a museum in Beijing. [File Photo: IC]

The company made only 30 Dongfeng CA71 sedans. But this experience helped FAW to build its next car, the Hongqi, which in 1964 became the limousines used to transport China's leaders and visiting state guests, replacing the ZIS limousines made in the Soviet Union.

Logo on the hood of a Dongfeng CA71 at a museum in Beijing. [File Photo: IC]

In the 60 years since the completion of China's first domestically-developed sedan, the country is now home to more than 40 independent car brands, and is a world leader in the development of electric car technology.

The rear of a Dongfeng CA71 at a museum in Beijing. [File Photo: IC]