Nothing could stop the boss of a company in the city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, from snatching up the luxurious Chinese car brand, on April 16, after the manufacturer announced it was offering a new L5 model earlier this year.

In explaining the acquisition of the new Hongqi, what someone calls a Chinese classic, hardly cheap, at 6,000,000 yuan (almost $1 mil), the buyer’s representative said, “In fact, we’re quite satisfied with the car and we know the value of a Hongqi and believe it represents the spirit of self-reliance, innovation and culture of the company.”

Latest Hongqi L5 on display at Harbin Hongqi Mall causing passersby to halt and take a look.  [photo provided to e.my399.com]

The representative went on to call it “the best Chinese goods” because of its exquisite workmanship and high-standard configuration.
 
The Hongqi was China’s first vehicle, produced by China FAW Group Corporation in the city of Changchun, and was at one time only the property of high-ranking officials, but now is available in different models geared to individual buyers.

Nonetheless, FAW has till stuck to the high-road and takes the trouble to do a credit check on anyone interested in buying the latest L5 and asks for a 20-percent payment before even getting in the car, according to a FAW source.