Hawtai Motor Group

Hawtai Motor Group is a Chinese automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Beijing, with production facilities in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, and Rongcheng, Shandong. The company sells cars and SUVs under the Hawtai brand. From 2002 to 2010, it had a joint venture or legal cooperation with Hyundai Motors, manufacturing Hyundai-brand passenger cars for the mainland China market. Hawtai continues to utilize some Hyundai technology today.

As of late 2010, its production capacity was reported to be 350,000 units per year. A distinguishing feature of Hawtai compared to rival private Chinese automakers is its diesel engine production capability. Billing itself as a clean vehicle brand, Hawtai is also a supplier to the Chinese government.

History

Founded in 2000, Hawtai Motor Group is owned by Zhang Xiugen, a Chinese entrepreneur. Initially producing SUVs, a 2002 cooperation with Hyundai allowed it to manufacture Hyundai-branded SUVs starting in 2003. The company began selling vehicles under its own name in 2004. The company expanded into sedan production in 2010, marking its first fully self-designed and manufactured vehicles.

Failed Saab Bailout

In May 2011, Hawtai agreed to provide EUR 150 million to Spyker Cars, then-owner of Saab, in exchange for Chinese manufacturing rights to the new Saab 9-3 and a 30% ownership stake in the Swedish automaker. However, the deal quickly fell through.

Technology Transfers

Hawtai has actively pursued technology transfers, acquiring diesel engine and vehicle platform technologies. The company sought an asset sale with Chrysler during Chrysler’s Chapter 11 reorganization. In the early 2000s, Hawtai acquired technology from Hyundai Motors, including elements of the first-generation Santa Fe. The company has also sourced engine technologies from Italian diesel engine expert VM Motori.

Hyundai Joint Venture

In 2002, Hawtai entered into a licensing deal or joint venture with Hyundai Motors. This cooperation ceased by late 2010, although Hawtai was still referred to as a Hyundai partner in 2011. The Hyundai-Hawtai cooperation produced Chinese-market versions of several Hyundai models, including the Hyundai Matrix, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Terracan. The Santa Fe was the fifth most-purchased SUV in China in 2010. Hawtai’s B35 Bolgheri SUV utilizes Hyundai platform technology.

Proposed Proton Collaboration

Between 2011 and 2012, a potential partnership between Malaysian automaker Proton and Hawtai was explored. The deal originated from an ASEAN-sponsored business conference but remains incomplete.

Products

Current Models

Electric Vehicles (EVs):
- Shengdafei 2 XEV360
- Shengdafei 5 XEV260
- Shengdafei 5 XEV480
- Shengdafei 7 XEV520
- Lusheng S1 iEV360
- Lusheng S1 EV160B
- Lusheng S1 EV160R
- Lusheng S5 iEV230
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Vehicles:
- Shengdafei 5
- Shengdafei 7
- Lusheng S5