During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral meeting, he was chauffeured in a Made-in-China Hongqi car, the preferred vehicle of President Xi Jinping during official visits. This occurred during Modi’s two-day stay in Tianjin for the SCO Summit. The Hongqi L5, a luxury sedan with a retro design, was also used for Xi’s visit to Modi in Mahabalipuram in 2019. Hongqi holds symbolic significance for China, dating back to its 1958 launch by the state-owned First Automotive Works (FAW) for Communist Party elites. The Hongqi L5 boasts opulent interiors with wood and leather, and some variants feature premium materials. It is powered by either a 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 or a 6.0L V12 engine. Prices can exceed $680,000, making it a high-end luxury option. The car features Chinese text on the steering wheel, reflecting its cultural importance. Its use for PM Modi could indicate an effort to strengthen relationships. Hongqi is part of the China FAW Group, a state-owned manufacturer founded in 1953. FAW’s early years involved technical support from the Soviet Union, hinting at a potential synergy in future affiliations between Russia, India, and China.
