{{Short description|Chinese vehicle manufacturer}} {{Infobox company | name = Seres Auto (Hubei) Co., Ltd. | native_name = 赛力斯汽车（湖北）有限公司 | logo = Seres Group Logo.png | image = | image_caption = | founded = {{start date and age|df=y|2003|06|27}} | products = [[Car|Automobiles]], [[commercial vehicle]]s, [[List of auto parts|auto parts]] | founders = [[Seres Group]] | brands = DFSK<br>Fengon (DFSK Glory) | romanized_name = | former_name = Dongfeng Sokon Automobile (DFSK) | industry = [[Automotive industry|Automotive]] | website = https://www.dfdongfeng.com.cn/ | parent = [[Seres Group]] | module = {{Chinese | child = yes | s = 赛力斯（湖北） | t = 賽力斯（湖北） | p = | altname = | w = | mi = | y = | j = | poj = | l = | order = st }} }} [[File:Dongfeng Sokon (DFSK) logo.svg|thumb|Logo of DFSK brand]] '''Seres Auto (Hubei) Co., Ltd.'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Application Proof of Seres Group Co., Ltd. |url=https://www1.hkexnews.hk/app/sehk/2025/107318/documents/sehk25042801538.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429025057/https://www1.hkexnews.hk/app/sehk/2025/107318/documents/sehk25042801538.pdf |archive-date=2025-04-29 |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=HKEXnews}}</ref> ({{lang-zh|s=赛力斯汽车（湖北）有限公司}}), previously named as '''Dongfeng Sokon Automobile''' ({{Lang-zh|c=|s=东风小康|t=|p=Dōngfēng Xiǎokāng}}) and known internationally as '''DFSK Motor''', is a Chinese automotive company formed as a joint venture between [[Seres Group]] (formerly Sokon Group) and [[Dongfeng Motor Corporation|Dongfeng]]. It was established on June 27, 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/brief-chongqing-sokons-sales-of-vehicles-idUSL3N1GN3KB |title=BRIEF-Chongqing Sokon's sales of vehicles, engines up in Feb |last=Hong Kong newsroom |date=10 March 2017 |website=reuters.com |publisher=Thomson Reuters}}</ref> Nowadays it is fully owned by Seres.
Seres Hubei produces [[microvan]]s, flat-bed commercial trucks and passenger vehicles under the '''DFSK/Dongfeng Sokon''' brand and budget passenger vehicles under the '''Fengon (DFSK Glory)''' brand.<ref name="dfsk-products">{{Cite web |url=http://www.dfsk.com.pe/index.php/inicio/modelos |title=Modelos |website=dfsk.ch |access-date=2018-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504085351/http://www.dfsk.com.pe/index.php/inicio/modelos |archive-date=2018-05-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Manufacturing takes place in four different facilities, two of which are located in [[Hubei]] [[Shiyan]] and two in [[Chongqing]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dfsk.com/index.php/Index/story|title=WELCOME TO DFSK|last=Searles|first=Nathan|website=www.dfsk.com|access-date=2018-09-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908202407/http://www.dfsk.com/index.php/Index/story|archive-date=2018-09-08|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== History == At the beginning of 2000, [[Sokon|Chongqing Yu'an Innovation Technology (Group)]], a manufacturer of [[motorcycles]] and [[automotive component]]s, and [[Dongfeng Motor]] evaluated the possibility of manufacturing [[microvans]] intended for small Chinese businesses. Dongfeng had experience producing cars for [[Groupe PSA|PSA]], but had not yet produced vehicles in the light commercial segment, and approved the project.
In 2003 the [[joint venture]] ''Dongfeng Yu'an Automobile'', headquartered in [[Chongqing]], was formed and work began on the construction of a new factory. Yu'an Group provided the design for the microvans, and acquired licensing for the production of [[chassis]], [[internal combustion engines|engines]], and components for microvans from [[Suzuki]]. Dongfeng was responsible for the engineering and testing of the vehicles. In 2005, they debuted their first small van, called the C-Series. It was offered in multiple configurations (paneled, passenger minibus and pick-up) with Suzuki engines and [[rear-wheel drive]]. At its debut, the Yu'an Group changed its name to [[Sokon|Chongquin Sokon Industry Group]] (abbreviated to ''Sokon'' in English or ''Sokon'' in Chinese) and the joint venture consequently became Dongfeng Sokon Automobile (abbreviated to DFSK).
In the Chinese market the vehicles are sold as Dongfeng Sokon while in the export markets the name DFSK is used. In both cases, the brand on the grille is Dongfeng's “Dual Wings”.
Subsequently, DFSK presents numerous other models of minivans and starts exporting them also in [[Europe]]; in the [[UK]] they will be distributed by subsidiary Sokon Automobile while in [[Italy]] by [[Giottiline|Giotti Victoria]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2017.gonews.it/2017/10/04/giotti-victoria-accordo-al-2020-la-dongfeng/|date=4 November 2017|language=it|title=Giotti Victoria accordo al 2020 la Dongfeng|accessdate=15 October 2021}}</ref>
In September 2003, Chongqing Ruichi Automobiles (瑞驰新能源公司), a fully funded subsidiary of Chongqing Sokon Group was established. As an enterprise for the manufacturing, sales and services for the pure electric commercial vehicles, Ruichi is one of the earliest enterprises in China with qualifications for the production of pure electric commercial vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.sokon.com/en/businesses/ruichi.html|language=en|title=Chongqing Ruichi Automobiles is committed to becoming a leading brand for the mini electric commercial vehicles.|accessdate=17 February 2023|archive-date=22 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522061620/http://en.sokon.com/en/businesses/ruichi.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Chongqing Ruichi Automobiles is now a fully funded subsidiary of [[Seres (automobiles)|Seres]], with products being rebadged electrified versions of DFSK's microvans and trucks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rc-ev.com/cms/p/profile.html|language=zh|title=瑞驰新能源公司简介|accessdate=17 February 2023}}</ref>
In 2013, DFSK decided to enter the lucrative [[Sport Utility Vehicle|SUV]] market by starting the design of a seven-seater mid-size vehicle using Dongfeng technologies; this vehicle was designed so that it could have an aggressive price classifying itself as a low-cost family car and had to be sold both in China and abroad. The project debuted in 2016 called [[Dongfeng Fengguang 580]], a five and seven-seater front-wheel or four-wheel drive SUV with [[Mitsubishi Motors|Mitsubishi]] engines. The brand name Fengguang (translated into Fengon in English) is used to distinguish them from the production of minivans called Sokon. On foreign markets, this vehicle will be renamed DFSK Glory (easier to pronounce) using the Dongfeng Dual Wings emblem on the grille, interior and rear.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}
In the same years, the production of the minivan range was started in Indonesia and Thailand and exports also to South America and Eastern Europe.
DFSK began to assemble and market products in Indonesia in 2015.<ref name="indones">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/07/27/chinese-car-be-produced-indonesia.html |title=Chinese car to be produced in Indonesia |last=Amianti |first=Grace |date=27 July 2015 |website=thejakartapost.com |publisher=The Jakarta Post}}</ref> Plans at the time of launch included an expected production of 50,000 units/year.<ref name="indones" />
In 2017, joint venture of DFSK and [https://dfskpakistan.com Regal Automobile] began assembly in [[Pakistan]]. Plant in [[Lahore]] producing SUV [https://dfskpakistan.com/glory-580-pro/ Glory 580] variants, C-37 Van, [https://dfskpakistan.com/humsafar-van/ Humsafar] MPV, K01 Pickup truck etc.
Total sales in 2017 reached 402,000 vehicles and in November 2018 Chongqing Sokon Group attempted to acquire the remaining 50% of the DFSK joint venture from Dongfeng for 621 million euros, becoming 100% owner. The deal was abandoned in July 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=http://autonews.gasgoo.com/m/70015386.html|title=Sokon to wholly own Dongfeng Sokon at expense of 26.01% stake offered to Dongfeng Motor Corporation|accessdate=16 October 2021|date = 18 November 2018}}</ref>
In September 2019, Sokon acquired the remaining 50% of the DFSK joint venture from Dongfeng. Seres continued to produce vehicles using the Dongfeng logo and under the DFSK brand while phasing out the Dongfeng logo on the Fengguang brand after it was renamed to Fengon.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.autothinker.net/Home/Publicsentiment/daily_express_details/id/162888/date/2020-04-16.html | title=东风小康成为小康股份全资子公司-Auto Thinker汽车智库平台 }}</ref>
In April 2020, Chongqing Sokon Industrial Group purchased 50% of DFSK's equity from Dongfeng Motor Group, making DFSK a wholly owned subsidiary of Sokon Group.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://auto.sina.com.cn/news/hy/2020-04-03/detail-iimxyqwa4906642.shtml?hpid=00041 |title=小康股份全资控股东风小康获批 |work=新浪汽车 |date=2020-04-03 |accessdate=2023-09-28 |url-status=live |archive-date=2023-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928010018/https://auto.sina.com.cn/news/hy/2020-04-03/detail-iimxyqwa4906642.shtml?hpid=00041 }}</ref> As of 2021, DFSK has a total of 4 production bases in China, two of which are located in Shiyan, Hubei and two in Chongqing.<ref>{{Cite web|title=WELCOME TO DFSK|url=http://www.dfsk.com/index.php/Index/story|accessdate=2018-09-08|author=Searles|first=Nathan|work=www.dfsk.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908202407/http://www.dfsk.com/index.php/Index/story|archivedate=2018-09-08}}</ref>
In October 2023, Dongfeng Sokon Automobile was renamed to Seres Auto (Hubei).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Li |first=Na |date=2023-10-12 |script-title=zh:注册资本8亿 东风小康公司更名赛力斯 |trans-title=Dongfeng Sokon changed its name to Seres with registered capital of RMB 800 million |url=https://www.autohome.com.cn/article?id=86btz_wP9HE= |access-date=2024-10-05 |work=Autohome |language=zh}}</ref>
==Products==
=== Fengon === '''Fengon''' (or '''DFSK Glory''' for foreign markets) formerly known as '''Dongfeng Fengguang''' ({{zh|s=东风风光|l=East wind Scenery}}), is the sub-brand of Seres that produces passenger vehicles. Established in 2008, Fengon brand targets at affordable compact MPVs and SUVs. It used to be a joint-venture brand with [[Dongfeng Motor Group|Dongfeng Group]] but was fully acquired by Seres Group in 2022. The Fengon brand began to replace the former Dongfeng logo and replaced it with its own Fengon logo in models after the acquisition.
==== Current model ==== Source:<ref>{{Cite web |title=FENGON风光官网 |url=https://www.dffengguang.com.cn/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=www.dffengguang.com.cn |archive-date=2023-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130194344/https://www.dffengguang.com.cn/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://www.dfsk.cl/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014003625/https://www.dfsk.cl/ |archive-date=2025-10-14 |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=www.dfsk.cl |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DFSK東風小康汽車有限公司 |title=DFSK東風小康汽車有限公司 |url=http://www.dfsk.com.tw/ |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=DFSK東風小康汽車有限公司 |language=en}}</ref>
'''Car''' * [[Fengon Mini EV]] (2022–present), city car '''SUV''' * [[Fengon ix5]] (2019–present), compact SUV * [[Fengon 580]] (2016–present), mid-size SUV * [[Fengon 500]] (2019–present), subcompact SUV * [[Dongfeng Fengguang S560|Fengon S560]] (2017–present), compact SUV '''MPV/Minivan''' * [[Fengon 380|Fengon 380/E380]] (2022–present), compact MPV * [[Dongfeng Fengguang 330S|Fengon 330S]] (2019–present), compact MPV * [[Dongfeng Fengguang 330|Fengon 330]] (2014–present), compact MPV <gallery widths="180" heights="120"> File:DFSK Fengon 5 1X7A7306.jpg|[[Fengon ix5]] File:DFSK Fengon 500 IMG 8162.jpg|[[Fengon 500]] File:Fengon 580 II 002.jpg|[[Fengon 580]] File:2018 Dongfeng Fengguang S560 (front).jpg|[[Dongfeng Fengguang S560|Fengon S560]] File:2022 Fengon 380 001.jpg|[[Fengon 380]] File:2016 Dongfeng-Fengguang 330, front 8.4.18.jpg|[[Dongfeng Fengguang 330|Fengon 330]] File:Dongfeng Fengguang 330S 001.jpg|[[Dongfeng Fengguang 330S|Fengon 330S]] File:Fengon Mini EV 01.jpg|[[Fengon Mini EV]] </gallery>
==== Discontinued model ==== '''SUV'''
* [[Renault Kwid|Fengon E1]] (2020–2023), city car, rebadged Dongfeng Nano EX1 * [[Fengon 500|Fengon E3]] (2019–2022), subcompact SUV, EREV variant of [[Fengon 500]] * [[Fengon ix7]] (2020–2023), mid-size SUV
'''MPV/Minivan''' * [[Dongfeng Fengguang 370|Fengon 370]] (2016–2020), compact MPV * [[Dongfeng Fengguang 330|Fengon 360]] (2015–2017), compact MPV * [[Dongfeng Fengguang 330|Fengon 350]] (2016–2020), compact MPV <gallery widths="180" heights="120"> File:DFSK Fengon 7 1X7A7302.jpg|[[Fengon ix7]] File:2017 Dongfeng-Fengguang 370, front 8.5.18.jpg|[[Dongfeng Fengguang 370|Fengon 370]] File:Dongfeng Fengguang 360.jpg|[[Dongfeng Fengguang 330|Fengon 360]] File:Dongfeng Fengguang 350 -- Auto China -- 2014-04-23.jpg|[[Dongfeng Fengguang 330|Fengon 350]] File:Fengon E3 001.jpg|[[Fengon 500|Fengon E3]] </gallery>
=== DFSK === The '''DFSK''' (Dongfeng Sokon, {{zh|s=东风小康}}) is a brand of Seres that produces light commercial vehicles. Currently{{when?|date=June 2025}} available products include:
* [[DFSK C-Series|C-Series]] ** Sokon C37/C36 ** Sokon C31/C32 ** [[DFSK EC75|Sokon EC75]] * [[DFSK K-Series|K-Series]] ** Sokon K05 ** Sokon K07 ** Sokon K09 ** Sokon K05S ** Sokon K07S ** Sokon K01/K02 * [[DFSK V-Series|V-Series]] ** Sokon V07S- microvan ** Sokon V21- single cab pickup ** Sokon V22- crew cab pickup ** Sokon V25- microvan ** Sokon V26- microvan ** Sokon V27- microvan ** Sokon V29- microvan/ pickup *E-Series **DFSK E5 - export version of [[Fengon 580]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 October 2024 |title=Wel bij de buren: deze auto's gaan aan onze neus voorbij |url=https://www.autoweek.nl/autonieuws/artikel/wel-bij-de-buren-deze-autos-gaan-aan-onze-neus-voorbij/}}</ref>
{{gallery|File:2018 Dongfeng-Xiaokang (Sokon) C37, front 8.8.18.jpg|Sokon C37|File:2018 Dongfeng-Xiaokang (Sokon) K07S, front 8.8.18.jpg|Sokon K07S|File:2009 Dongfeng-Xiaokang (Sokon) K07, front 8.3.18.jpg|Sokon K07/K17|File:2014 Dongfeng-Xiaokang (Sokon) K09, front 8.10.18.jpg|Sokon New K07|File:Dongfeng Sokon V29 China 2014-04-16.jpg|Sokon V29|File:2014 Dongfeng-Xiaokang (Sokon) V07S, front 8.6.18.jpg|Sokon V07S|File:Dongfeng DFSK V27 Cargo 2014 (14690231661).jpg|Sokon V27 Cargo|File:DFSK V22 Crew Cab 2014 (11214262546).jpg|Sokon V22 Crew Cab|File:Dongfeng DFSK V21 1.3 2014 (13941808715).jpg|Sokon V21|File:2013 Dongfeng-Xiaokang (Sokon) V21, front 8.7.18.jpg|Sokon V21 (2013)}}
== Joint venture ==
=== Landian === Landian ({{zh|s=蓝电}}) is a brand of Seres for budget electric vehicles which was established in March 2023. The word Landian literally means ''blue electricity'' in Chinese.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kang/CnEVPost |first=Lei |date=2023-03-30 |title=Seres unveils new NEV brand Landian and 1st model E5 with BYD, Huawei technology |url=https://cnevpost.com/2023/03/30/seres-unveils-new-nev-brand-landian-1st-model-e5/ |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=CnEVPost |language=en-US}}</ref>
In February 2026, Seres announced to spin off the assets of Landian brand and establishing a new company, the government of Chongqin acquired 33.5% of the company's shares, becoming its largest shareholder. Seres' stake will be reduced to around 32%, resulting in a loss of control, and Landian will no longer be consolidated into Seres' financial statements. The board of the new company will consist of five members, with Seres holding only one seat.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-25 |title=砍掉蓝电汽车后，问界成赛力斯“唯一解”？-36氪 |url=https://36kr.com/p/3698378775753475 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=36kr.com}}</ref>
* [[Fengon 580#Landian E5|Landian E5]] (2022–present), compact SUV, rebadged [[Plug-in hybrid|PHEV]] variant of [[Fengon 580]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suzan |date=2023-06-21 |title=Dongfeng's All-new Electric SUV FENGON Landian E5 may be launched on March 1 {{!}} China Car News, Reviews and More |url=https://www.chinapev.com/dongfeng/dongfeng-fengguang/dongfengs-all-new-electric-suv-fengon-landian-e5-may-be-launched-on-march-1/ |access-date=2023-06-28 |language=en-US}}</ref> * [[Fengon 500#Landian E3|Landian E3]] (2023–present), subcompact SUV, rebadged [[Fengon 500|Fengon E3]] <gallery widths="200" heights="120"> File:Landian_E5_at_Auto_Guangzhou_2023_20231126.jpg|[[Fengon 580#Landian E5|Landian E5]] </gallery>
== See also ==
* [[Automobile manufacturers and brands of China]] * [[List of automobile manufacturers of China]]
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{official website|https://www.dfdongfeng.com.cn/}}
{{Dongfeng Motor}} {{Automotive industry in China}}{{Automotive industry}} {{authority control}}
[[Category:Dongfeng Motor joint ventures]] [[Category:Electric vehicle manufacturers of China]] [[Category:Bus manufacturers of China]] [[Category:Truck manufacturers of China]] [[Category:Chinese brands]] [[Category:Car brands]] [[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Chongqing]]