{{Short description|Chinese automotive manufacturing company}} {{Infobox company | name = Hawtai Motor Group | logo = Hawtai Motor logo.png | logo_size = 170px | type = | company_slogan = | founder = | foundation = Rongcheng, Shandong, China, {{Start date and age|2000}} <ref name=about/> | location = Beijing, China<ref>[https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2011-05/03/content_12438120.htm China's Hawtai Motor comes to Saab's rescue] chinadaily.com, 2011-05-03</ref> | key_people = Richard Zhang (Vice President)<ref name=spyk/> | industry = | products = SUVs, sedans<ref name=spyk/> | services = | revenue = | owner = Zhāng Xiùgēn (张秀根)<ref name=spyk>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spyker-saab-idUSTRE7421T920110503 Saab rescued by Chinese automaker] reuters.com, Tue May 3, 2011 11:41am EDT</ref> | num_employees = | parent = | area_served = China | homepage = [http://en.hawtaimotor.com Hawtai Motor] }} {{Infobox Chinese | t = 華泰 | s = 华泰 | p = Huátài | l = | altname = Trading name | t2 = | s2 = | p2 = | l2 = | order = st }} '''Hawtai Motor Group'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Company Profile|url=http://en.hawtaimotor.com/show-1-1-1.html|website=Official website of Hawtai|access-date=4 May 2016|archive-date=18 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318153431/http://en.hawtaimotor.com/show-1-1-1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> is a Chinese automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Beijing,<ref name=shan/> with production facilities in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, and Rongcheng, Shandong. Selling cars and SUVs under the Hawtai brand, from 2002 to 2010 the company had a joint venture or other form of legal cooperation with Hyundai Motors that manufactured Hyundai-brand passenger cars for the mainland China market; Hawtai continues to use some Hyundai technology today.<ref name=tt>{{cite web | url=http://www.chinacartimes.com/2010/11/15/hawtai-to-launch-b35-suv-at-years-end/ | title=Hawtai to launch B35 SUV at years end | work=chinacartimes.com | date=November 15, 2010 | access-date=21 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026161418/http://www.chinacartimes.com/2010/11/15/hawtai-to-launch-b35-suv-at-years-end/|archive-date= 26 October 2013}}</ref>
As of late 2010, its production capacity was reported to be 350,000 units/year.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} What distinguishes Hawtai from rival private Chinese automakers is its diesel engine production ability. Billing itself as a clean vehicle brand, Hawtai also is a supplier to the Chinese State.<ref name=pamphlet/>
==Name== Although correctly romanized as Huátài in pinyin, and previously romanized as Huatai in branding, Hawtai is now the preferred way to spell the name of this Chinese automaker with the Latin alphabet.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.chinacartimes.com/2010/12/28/tail-end-of-guangzhou-huatais-game-changing-cars/ | title=Tail end of Guangzhou: Huatai's game changing cars | work=chinacartimes.com | date=December 28, 2010 | access-date=21 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026162813/http://www.chinacartimes.com/2010/12/28/tail-end-of-guangzhou-huatais-game-changing-cars/|archive-date=26 October 2013}}</ref>
==History== Founded in 2000,<ref name=about/> Hawtai Motor Group is, as of May 2011, owned by Zhang Xiugen, a Chinese entrepreneur.<ref name=spyk/> Initially producing an SUV,<ref name=pamphlet>{{cite web | url=http://en.hawtaimotor.com/down/About_HawtaiMotor.pdf | title=Welcome to Hawtai Motor | publisher=Hawtai | work=en.hawtaimotor.com | date=c. 2011 | access-date=21 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720235411/http://en.hawtaimotor.com/down/About_HawtaiMotor.pdf|archive-date=20 July 2013}}</ref> a 2002<ref name=about/> cooperation with Hyundai allowed it to manufacture Hyundai-branded SUVs starting in 2003,<ref name=pamphlet/> which it also started selling under its own name in 2004.<ref name=tf>[http://www.france24.com/en/20110506-saabs-chinese-saviour-dismisses-doubts-over-deal# Saab's Chinese saviour dismisses doubts over deal] France 24. 06 May 2011.</ref> Only the engines may have differentiated these Hawtai-branded offerings.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} The company added sedans to its product line in 2010, and these are probably the first vehicles it both designed and manufactured.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}}
;Failed Saab bailout: Although it was never consummated, in early May 2011, Hawtai agreed to provide EUR 150 million to Spyker Cars, the then-current owner of Saab, in exchange for Chinese manufacturing rights to the new Saab 9-3 and a 30% ownership of this Swedish vehicle maker.<ref name=spyk1>[https://www.reuters.com/article/spykercars-saab-idUSLDE7450JT20110506 UPDATE 2-Saab shareholder hopefuls file for Swedish nod] reuters.com, Fri May 6, 2011 7:25am EDT</ref> The deal quickly fell through.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saab-spykercars-idUSTRE74B14V20110512 Saab's Chinese rescue deal falls through] reuters.com, Thu May 12, 2011 10:22am EDT</ref>
;Technology transfers: Hawtai appears eager to absorb foreign technology, and the company has sought such transfers repeatedly in the process gaining access to diesel engine<ref name=vmware/> and vehicle platform technologies. Around the time of the 2009 Chrysler Chapter 11 reorganization, this American automaker discussed the possibility of an asset sale with Hawtai.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/retire-us-chrysler-china-idUSTRE57P54220090826?pageNumber=2 Chrysler renews search for China partner: sources] reuters.com, Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:27pm EDT</ref>
In the early 2000s, Hawtai purchased technology from Hyundai Motors including some used in the first generation Santa Fe.<ref name=tt/> The company sells a Hawtai-branded version of this small SUV<ref>{{cite web | url=http://en.hawtaimotor.com/santa-fe.html | title=Santa Fe | publisher=Hawtai | work=en.hawtaimotor.com | access-date=21 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918184100/http://en.hawtaimotor.com/santa-fe.html|archive-date=18 September 2013}}</ref> as well as one of the Hyundai Terracan.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://en.hawtaimotor.com/terracan.html | title=Terracan | publisher=Hawtai | work=en.hawtaimotor.com | access-date=May 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905223350/http://en.hawtaimotor.com/terracan.html|archive-date=5 September 2013}}</ref> c. 2010, both models used the same names as their Hyundai-branded counterparts, but by 2014 the Hawtai Santa Fe was being referred to as a Hawtai C9.<ref name=kclassic>{{cite web | url=http://en.hawtaimotor.com/show-12-19-1.html | title=HAWTAI C9: Profile | publisher=Hawtai | work=en.hawtaimotors.com | access-date=22 July 2014 | archive-date=8 July 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708025716/http://en.hawtaimotor.com/show-12-19-1.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> The company does not appear reluctant to divulge the source of the intellectual property that appears in these vehicles; it refers to the C9 as a "Korean classic".<ref name=kclassic/>
Hawtai utilizes engine technologies that were developed by other companies including some created by Italian diesel engine experts VM Motori.<ref name=vmware/>
;Hyundai joint venture: In 2002, Hawtai began a licensing deal,<ref name=vmware>{{cite web | url=http://www.just-auto.com/news/hawtai-who_id110709.aspx | title=BACKGROUNDER: Hawtai who? | publisher=Aroq Ltd | work=just-auto.com/ | date=3 May 2011 | access-date=22 July 2014 | author=Roberts, Graeme | archive-date=28 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228114528/http://www.just-auto.com/news/hawtai-who_id110709.aspx | url-status=dead }}</ref> partnership, or joint venture with Hyundai motors, but, as of late 2010, this has ceased.<ref name=tt/> Hawtai continued to be referred to as a Hyundai partner as late as 2011, however.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://english.caixin.com/2011-07-21/100282150.html | title=Automaker Hawtai Revving Up Corporate Reform | publisher=Caixin Media Company Ltd | work=Caixin Online | date=2011-07-21 | access-date=22 July 2014 | author=Dongmei, Liang}}</ref> Regardless of the specific legal nature of the project, the Hyundai-Hawtai cooperation produced Chinese-market versions of several Hyundai models: the Hyundai Matrix,<ref name=shan>[http://autonews.gasgoo.com/china-news/huatai-automobile-to-manufacture-hyundai-matrix-080806.shtml Huatai Automobile to manufacture Hyundai matrix] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115722/http://autonews.gasgoo.com/china-news/huatai-automobile-to-manufacture-hyundai-matrix-080806.shtml |date=2016-03-04 }} gasgoo.com, 06, 2008</ref> a people carrier, the Hyundai Santa Fe,<ref name=terra>{{cite web | url = https://chinaautoweb.com/2010/08/a-new-bentley-no-it-is-a-hawtai-b11/ | title = A New Bentley? No, It Is a Hawtai B11 | publisher = ChinaAutoWeb | date = 2010-08-17 }}</ref> and the Hyundai Terracan.<ref name=terra/> The Santa Fe was the fifth most-purchased SUV in China in 2010,<ref>[https://chinaautoweb.com/2011/01/top-10-best-selling-sedans-and-suvs-in-2010/ Top 10 Best-Selling Sedans and SUVs in 2010] chinaautoweb.com, January 14, 2011</ref> and at least some Hawtai versions of the car may differ significantly from those sold in other markets.<ref name="chinacartimes.com">{{cite web | url=http://www.chinacartimes.com/2007/10/11/huatai-hyundai-and-roewe-hook-up-to-stick-18t-in-santefe/ | title=Huatai-Hyundai and Roewe hook up to stick 1.8T in {{sic|Sant|eFe|hide=y}} | work=chinacartimes.com | date=October 11, 2007 | access-date=21 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401031845/http://www.chinacartimes.com/2007/10/11/huatai-hyundai-and-roewe-hook-up-to-stick-18t-in-santefe/|archive-date=1 April 2012}}</ref> Both Hyundai SUVs have experienced continued popularity in China.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} Hawtai's newest SUV, the B35 Bolgheri (''Baolige'' in Chinese) utilizes Hyundai platform technology.<ref name=B35>{{cite web | title = Hawtai Motor Names the B35 SUV "Bolgheri": Auto Shanghai in Pictures | url = https://chinaautoweb.com/2011/04/hawtai-motor-names-the-b35-suv-bolgheri-auto-shanghai-in-pictures/ | date = 2011-04-22 | publisher = ChinaAutoWeb }}</ref>
;Proposed Proton collaboration: Between 2011<ref>{{cite web | url=http://paultan.org/2011/12/30/proton-and-hawtai-expected-to-ink-collaboration-deal-soon/ | title=Proton and Hawtai expected to ink collaboration deal soon | publisher=Driven Communications Sdn Bhd | work=paultan.org | date=30 December 2011 | access-date=22 July 2014}}</ref> and 2012,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://autonews.gasgoo.com/china-news/hawtai-proton-partnership-still-proceeding-to-sche-120202.shtml | title=Hawtai-Proton partnership still proceeding to schedule | publisher=Gasgoo | work=gasgoo.com | date=February 2, 2012 | access-date=22 July 2014 | author=Lee, Carman | archive-date=12 August 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812053445/http://autonews.gasgoo.com/china-news/hawtai-proton-partnership-still-proceeding-to-sche-120202.shtml | url-status=dead }}</ref> a tie-up between Malaysian Proton and Hawtai was touted. This as-yet-incomplete deal may have originated at an ASEAN-sponsored business conference.
==Products== Hawtai currently produces the following vehicles:<ref name=caw>{{cite web|url=https://chinaautoweb.com/chinese-brands/|title=Chinese Brands|access-date=5 April 2014|publisher=China Auto Web}}</ref>
EV: *Shengdafei 2 XEV360 *Shengdafei 5 XEV260 *Shengdafei 5 XEV480 *Shengdafei 7 XEV520 *Lusheng S1 iEV360 *Lusheng S1 EV160B *Lusheng S1 EV160R *Lusheng S5 iEV230 ICE: *Shengdafei 5 *Shengdafei 7 *Lusheng S5 Discontinued: *B11 (1.8 and 2.0 litre) *B21/E70 (2.0L Mitsubishi 4G63 & 4G94D, 1.5L turbocharged)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wang|first1=Joey|title=Spy Shots: 1.5 Turbo for the Hawtai Lusheng E70 in China|url=https://www.carnewschina.com/2015/02/10/spy-shots-1-5-turbo-for-the-hawtai-lusheng-e70-in-china/|website=Chinacarnews.com|date=10 February 2015 |publisher=China Car news|access-date=8 March 2015}}</ref> *Bolgheri (1.8 and 2.0 litre) *Shengdafei (1.8 and 2.0 litre) *Terracan (2.4 litre)
<gallery widths="170" heights="100"> File:Hawtai B11 China 2012-06-08.JPG|Hawtai B11 File:Hawtai E70 01 China 2019-03-20.jpg|Hawtai E70 File:Hawtai B35 Baolige China 2014-04-16.jpg|Hawtai Bolgheri B35 File:Hawtai Santa Fe facelift China 2014-04-24.jpg|Hawtai Shendafei File:Hawtai Shengdafei II China 2016-04-04.jpg|Hawtai Shendafei II File:Hawtai Terracan 01 China 2016-04-08.jpg|Hawtai Terracan </gallery>
===Engines=== Some Hawtai models use SAIC Motor engines,<ref name="chinacartimes.com"/> but other powerplants are said to be Hawtai's own using technology purchased from Italian diesel experts VM Motori.<ref name=B35/> The company states that the design of these engines, made at its Inner Mongolia site, has been modified in-house.<ref name=probtrans>{{cite web | url=http://en.hawtaimotor.com/powertranin.html | title=TECHNOLOGYOF EUROPEDRIVE TO GREEN | publisher=Hawatai | work=en.hawtaimotor.com | access-date=21 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130913234022/http://en.hawtaimotor.com/powertranin.html|archive-date=13 September 2013}}</ref>
==Operations== Hawtai has passenger car production facilities in Ordos, Inner Mongolia,<ref name=ordos>{{cite web | url=http://www.chinacartimes.com/2010/12/08/hawtai-to-launch-more-suvs-in-2012-also-2-0tdi-and-6-speed-gearbox/ | title=Hawtai to launch more SUV's in 2012, also 2.0TDI and 6 speed gearbox | work=chinacartimes.com | date=December 8, 2010 | access-date=21 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026151522/http://www.chinacartimes.com/2010/12/08/hawtai-to-launch-more-suvs-in-2012-also-2-0tdi-and-6-speed-gearbox/|archive-date=26 October 2013}}</ref> and Rongcheng, Shandong.<ref name=about>{{cite web | title=ABOUT HAWTAI MOTOR | publisher=Hawtai | url=http://en.hawtaimotor.com/about-hawtai.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809050430/http://en.hawtaimotor.com/about-hawtai.html |archive-date=9 August 2013 | work=en.hawtaimotor.com | access-date=9 Aug 2013}}</ref> The latter site has a 150,000 vehicles per year production capacity.<ref name=pamphlet/> The Inner Mongolia site has a production capacity of 300,000 units/year, manufactures modern diesel engines, and may have been under construction as of February 2010.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} Such production capacity figures may consider whole vehicles and engines as discrete. This facility produces transmissions as well as engines.<ref name=pamphlet/> Hawtai claims production capacity figures for this location of one million engines, 500,000 whole vehicles, and the same number of transmissions.<ref name=pamphlet/>
The company claims a bus production facility in Yanbian was established in 2002.<ref name=pamphlet/>
A former process technology/engine localization office in Beijing may be a site for R&D efforts.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}
==Sales== A total of 28,812 Hawtai passenger cars were sold in China in 2013, making it the 50th largest-selling car brand in the country in that year (and the 30th largest-selling Chinese brand).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://chinaautoweb.com/2014/01/2013-passenger-vehicle-sales-by-brand/|title=2013 Passenger Vehicle Sales by Brand|access-date=5 April 2014|publisher=China Auto Web|date=15 January 2014}}</ref>
===Exports=== The company has exported to Angola, southeast Asia, and one or more of the CIS nations, a grouping of former Soviet Bloc states.<ref name=pamphlet/> Hawtai has contacted at least one Russian automotive assembler, Derways, in an attempt to start CKD sales, and it has also explored the possibility of auto assembly at a soon-to-be-operational free trade zone in Valencia, Spain, signing an MoU with a Spanish mayor.<ref>"China's Hawtai May Assemble Cars in Spain." Ward's Auto World (Online Exclusive). Penton Media, Inc. 2013. HighBeam Research. 20 Jul. 2014</ref>
== Notes == {{Reflist|group="note"}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://en.hawtaimotor.com Hawtai Official Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624074514/http://en.hawtaimotor.com/ |date=2019-06-24 }} {{in lang|en}}
{{commons category|Hawtai vehicles}}
{{Automotive industry in the People's Republic of China}}
Category:Electric vehicle manufacturers of China Category:Car manufacturers of China Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Beijing Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2000 Category:Hyundai Motor Company Category:Chinese brands