The Citroën Fukang is a series of compact vehicles built in China by the Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën joint venture between PSA Peugeot Citroën and Dongfeng Motor. The first car appeared in 1992 as a rebadged Citroën ZX hatchback.
Citroën Fukang at a glance
| Maker | Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën, China |
|---|---|
| Production | 1992–2009 |
| Based on | Citroën ZX hatchback |
| Chinese names | Fukang DC7140, later DC7160 with fuel injection |
| Meaning | “prosperity and health” |
| Early production | 17,000 semi-knock-down cars until late 1996 |
| Local capacity | 150,000 cars per year |
| Saloon | Fukang 988, presented September 1998, developed by Heuliez |
| Limousine | Fukang 988 VIP, long wheelbase |
| Other bodies | four-door pickup and two-door panel van |
| Award | China’s Best Value car, 2005 |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Citroën Fukang
1992: semi-knock-down ZXs
The first Fukang appeared in 1992 as a semi-knock-down production car, a rebadged Citroën ZX hatchback called the Fukang DC7140, a name that translates as “prosperity and health”. A DC7160 with a fuel-injected 1.6-litre engine was added later. Around 17,000 of the semi-knock-down cars were built until late 1996, when Dongfeng’s own two plants in Wuhan were up to speed and local production began with a capacity of 150,000 a year.
The 988 saloon
Two years later came the first of several special Chinese models: the Fukang 988, presented in September 1998 as a saloon version of the DC7160 with the larger 1.6 fuel-injected engine. The saloon was developed by the specialist engineering firm Heuliez, which also built a long-wheelbase limousine version, the Fukang 988 VIP. Saloon production continued until 2003, when the Citroën Elysée replaced that part of the range, but the hatchback stayed in the Chinese range until 2009. The Fukang was also available as a four-door pickup and a two-door panel van.
The end and the name’s return
The hatchback was finally replaced on 26 February 2009 by the facelifted Citroën C-Elysée; by then the range had been joined, in 2006, by the Citroën Xsara, Picasso and C-Triomphe. In 2005 the Fukang had been voted China’s Best Value car by Sina Automobile News, China Youth Today and Beijing Modern Business News. The name was later reused by Shenlong Motors, the joint venture funded by Dongfeng and PSA in 1992, for the Dongfeng Fukang brand and its ES500, ES600 and e-Elysée models.
Design and features
- ZX base: the European hatchback, assembled in China from imported kits and then locally.
- DC7140 and DC7160: the first with a 1.4, the later with a fuel-injected 1.6.
- Fukang 988: a Heuliez-developed saloon, with a VIP limousine version.
- Body choice: hatchback, saloon, four-door pickup and two-door van.
- Fifteen years on sale: from 1992 to 2009.
Citroën Fukang versions
- Fukang DC7140: the original semi-knock-down hatchback.
- Fukang DC7160: 1.6 with fuel injection.
- Fukang 988: the saloon of 1998.
- Fukang 988 VIP: long-wheelbase limousine.
- Pickup and panel van: commercial body styles.
- Dongfeng Fukang ES500, ES600 and e-Elysée: later electric cars using the name.
The Fukang was a Chinese ZX, and it was replaced by the C-Elysée; its European relatives include the Xsara. More cars are in the Citroën collection.
Video: Citroën Fukang Elysee (ZX)
Video by Enrique Küller on YouTube.
Sources
- Citroën Fukang, English Wikipedia: production, bodies, 988 saloon, award, name reuse
