Chinese automaker Landwind – development against all odds

Chinese automaker Landwind is part of the holding structure "Changan Auto" (25% shares), the second founder is "Jiangling Motors Corporation" (JMC, 25% shares), as well as 50% joint venture. The company develops and manufactures passenger vehicles and SUVs primarily for the Chinese market.

The company was founded in 2004. The first SUV model left the production line in 2006. Despite the rather decent quality, Landwind models are in low demand. The total sales volume is only 40 thousand copies per year.

(*) Landwind X8 in the photo.

Landwind is a failed innovation mainstream project

The company was founded by famous entrepreneur Sun Ming, ex-president of Jiangling Motors Corporation Group Co. (JMCG). The main idea of creating a new manufacturer was to strengthen the technical development of the parent company and reduce dependence on ISUZU and FORD. During the period when the Lufeng brand was being developed, assembly lines were collecting ISUZU.

The project aroused the rejection of partners, first of all, dissatisfaction with FORD, and the direction gradually fell into the status of unnecessary. But the company itself continued to develop, choosing the North American style of cars as its flagship direction.

Landwind was sold in 2002, but reinvested in 2004 by JMCG. This allowed us to enter the market with the current range of cars.

The company's first market success was associated with the Landwind X5. It was first shown in November 2012 during the Guangzhou Auto Show.

The range includes several types of passenger cars of the CUV class, that is, crossovers. These include the Landwind X2, X5, X8 SUV, Xiaoyao compact crossover and Landwind Rongyao. Models appeared at different times, from 2013 and are produced to the present. The manufacturer abandoned the production of SUVs, leaving one model in the lineup, as well as a sedan and MPV. The release of the flagship SUV E32 is expected.

Big cars are in fashion

In the last 2-3 years, there has been a new trend, consumers prefer ultra-large cars. A similar trend takes place in all countries of the world, for this reason it is worth explaining the differences between similar classes of cars:

• crossovers or CUV -Crossover Utility Vehicle, this is a North American type of car with a monocoque body, but made on the platform of a passenger car. In fact, this is a passenger car, but with the appearance of an SUV and a higher level of safety due to body features;
• light truck SUV—Sport Utility Vehicle, often referred to as an off-road vehicle. This is a sports utility vehicle of the North American type. The type is intended for passenger operation;
• off-road vehicle - in fact, real off-road vehicles are mining vehicles and cannot be used on public roads. In the modern sense, this is a car with increased cross-country ability due to increased ground clearance and all-wheel drive of larger wheels;
• a pickup truck is also an off-road light truck for everyday use.

In fact, popular classes of cars are designed for increased axle loads, have more powerful dimensions, and are also able to cover off-road distances. At the same time, all listed types of vehicles are allowed on public roads.