The Hafei Minyi is a seven- to eight-seat microvan that Hafei launched in 2003. It is notable for being the first self-developed domestic model of its kind in China, and it stayed in production through two generations, ending with the Xin-Minyi of 2012.
Hafei Minyi at a glance
| Maker | Hafei Motor, Harbin, China |
|---|---|
| First generation | launched 2003 |
| Price at launch | from RMB 48,800 |
| Seats | seven or eight |
| Construction | unitary body |
| Safety | driver’s airbag and ABS |
| M408 | passenger-focused variant from the 2006 Chengdu show, RMB 36,300 |
| M408 engines | 1.0, 1.1 and 1.3 litres, styling by Pininfarina |
| Xin-Minyi | second generation, launched at the Beijing show 2012 |
| Xin-Minyi engines | 1.0 litre of 48 hp or 60 hp, five-speed manual |
| Electric derivative | Miles ZX40ST truck in the United States |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Minyi.
History of the Hafei Minyi
First generation (2003)
The Minyi went on sale in 2003 from RMB 48,800 and was described as the first self-developed domestic model of its kind in China. It used unitary construction rather than a separate chassis, was offered with seven or eight seats, and came with a driver’s airbag and ABS.
Minyi M408 (2006)
The M408 was presented at the Chengdu Auto Show in 2006 and aimed at private buyers rather than tradesmen, starting at RMB 36,300. Often called the second-generation Minyi, it was styled by Pininfarina and offered with 1.0-, 1.1- and 1.3-litre petrol engines.
Pickup versions
The Minyi was also built as a single-cab and double-cab pickup. The Colombian versions, available from July 2012, used a 1.1-litre four with a five-speed manual gearbox and had load beds of up to 2.89 metres on the single cab and 2.10 metres on the double cab, carrying 815 and 565 kilograms respectively.
Xin-Minyi (2012)
The second generation, the Xin-Minyi, was launched at the Beijing Auto Show in 2012 in five trim levels, all with 1.0-litre petrol engines of 48 or 60 hp; the stronger unit gave 84 Nm between 3,000 and 4,000 rpm and drove through a five-speed manual gearbox. In Colombia it was sold as the cheapest van on the market, from $19,900,000 for the panel van with a 650-kilogram payload, up to $20,900,000 for the seven-seat version.
Abroad
In the United States the Miles ZX40ST electric truck was based on the Minyi pickup. It appeared in Orlando in the summer of 2007, was limited to 25 mph, was claimed to cover 50–60 miles per charge and was priced at $19,900.
Design and features
- First of its kind: the first self-developed domestic microvan of this type in China.
- Unitary body: a car-type structure with driver’s airbag and ABS on the first generation.
- Pininfarina-styled M408: a passenger version with a choice of three petrol engines.
- Wide range: vans, pickups, a panel van and an electric derivative in the United States.
Hafei Minyi versions
- Minyi (2003): the original seven- or eight-seat microvan.
- Minyi pickup: single-cab and double-cab load carriers.
- Minyi M408 (2006): Pininfarina-styled passenger version with 1.0 to 1.3-litre engines.
- Luzun-Xiaobawang: a later microvan version sold under that name.
- Xin-Minyi (2012): the second generation in five trim levels.
- Miles ZX40ST: an electric truck in the United States built on the Minyi pickup.
The Minyi was one of a family of Hafei commercials that also included the Hafei Zhongyi van and the Hafei Ruiyi pickup. More cars are in the Hafei collection.
Video: Hafei Minyi 2008
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Hafei Minyi, English Wikipedia: generations, prices, engines, Colombia, Miles truck
