Dongfeng Motor recently hosted a grand event in Wuhan to express its gratitude to 60 million customers and unveil the new VOYAH DREAM. Themed “Together with Gratitude, Together with Dreams,” the event was graced by prominent officials, including Wang Zhonglin, Deputy Secretary of the Hubei Provincial Party Committee and Governor, Cheng Yongwen, Deputy Governor of Hubei Province, and Sheng Yuechun, Deputy Secretary of the Wuhan Municipal Party Committee and Mayor. Top leadership from Dongfeng Motor, including Chairman Yang Qing and General Manager Zhou Zhiping, were also present, addressing the audience and expressing heartfelt thanks to their 60 million users.
The event was attended by 6,000 guests, including government officials, business partners, employees, and user representatives. Over the course of 55 years, Dongfeng Motor has become a key player in China’s automotive industry, with its milestone of 60 million vehicles marking a significant achievement. In his speech, Yang Qing reflected on the company’s journey, from its humble beginnings to becoming a key industrial force in China. He emphasized that the support of its users and partnerships with businesses have fueled Dongfeng’s success, paving the way for future growth.
Cheng Yongwen, Deputy Governor of Hubei Province, praised Dongfeng Motor’s achievements and expressed hopes for the company to continue shining as a representative of Hubei’s manufacturing prowess.
55 Years of Dedication Transforming China’s Automotive Industry
This year marks both the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and the 55th anniversary of Dongfeng Motor. Established in 1969 in Shiyan, Hubei, with a mission to revitalize China’s automotive sector, Dongfeng Motor has been a pioneer in the industry. From the production of its first 2.5-ton off-road vehicle (EQ240) in 1975 to the transition from military to civilian use in 1978 with the EQ140 model, Dongfeng has been at the forefront of China’s automotive evolution.
In the 1980s, with the opening up of China’s economy, Dongfeng Motor embraced new opportunities, transforming from a state-run entity to an industry leader. By 1987, it had produced 500,000 vehicles and continued to innovate through market reforms in the 1990s, becoming a household name in China. The “Dongfeng” brand earned recognition as a “China Famous Trademark,” symbolizing the success of China’s reform initiatives.
As the industry shifted, Dongfeng Motor also evolved, expanding from a truck-focused manufacturer to a balanced portfolio of passenger and commercial vehicles. The company’s independent innovation efforts led to a surge in its product offerings, pushing Dongfeng to a top position in the Chinese automotive market.
In 2021, Dongfeng Motor initiated the “Dongfeng Advance” plan and launched the “Technology Leap” initiative, setting in motion a “Three-Year Action Plan for Transformation and Upgrading” aimed at accelerating the company’s growth and its transition to new energy.
A New Era for Dongfeng Motor
In his address, Zhou Zhiping highlighted Dongfeng Motor’s milestones, including the achievement of becoming China’s first independently built automobile factory and producing the nation’s first 100,000 vehicles annually. As Dongfeng continues to grow, the company is committed to technological innovation, new energy development, and creating a globally recognized brand.
The company’s focus is now on achieving self-reliance in core technologies like automotive chips, autonomous control systems, and solid-state batteries. Dongfeng has also earned recognition for its strategic technological developments, including Quantum Intelligent Architecture and DSMA Energy-Saving Architecture, all while pushing forward with its new energy transformation.
With a comprehensive range of products from luxury electric off-road vehicles under the MHERO brand to premium electric vehicles under VOYAH, Dongfeng has made significant strides in both domestic and international markets. In the first eight months of 2024, Dongfeng sold 530,000 new energy vehicles, a 108.5% increase from the previous year, reflecting the company’s growing market dominance.
Dongfeng Motor’s journey from 0 to 10 million units took 40 years, but its rapid rise from 50 million to 60 million units within just 15 years highlights its accelerated growth. With China leading the world in new energy vehicle production and sales for nine consecutive years, Dongfeng is positioned to quickly reach its next milestone.
VOYAH DREAM: A New Milestone
The launch of VOYAH DREAM, dubbed the “Dream Technological Castle,” was the highlight of the event. VOYAH, Dongfeng’s premium smart new energy vehicle brand, has played a crucial role in showcasing the company’s technological advancements. Since its first model was introduced in June 2021, VOYAH has sold over 120,000 units, making it one of the fastest-growing new energy brands in China. VOYAH DREAM, with over 60,000 units sold, now leads the premium MPV market among China’s independent brands.
As Dongfeng Motor looks toward the future, it aims to strengthen its brand through further technological advancements, focusing on electrification and intelligent driving technologies, while also seizing leadership in core areas like autonomous driving and automotive chips. With these strategic efforts, Dongfeng Motor is once again set to lead China’s automotive industry into a new era of growth.
