A Hongqi car is displayed at the 22nd Changchun International Auto Expo in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, July 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's leading automaker FAW Group said on Tuesday that its iconic Hongqi brand sold more than 420,000 vehicles in the first 11 months of 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of 9.2 percent.

In November alone, the brand reported sales of over 40,000 vehicles, maintaining its stable growth momentum. Sales of its new energy vehicles (NEVs) surged by 60.8 percent compared to the same period last year. The ultra-luxury sub-brand, Hongqi Golden Sunflower, has once again achieved sales exceeding 100 units in a single month.

Hongqi, meaning "Red Flag" in Chinese, debuted in 1958 as a hallmark achievement of China's first Five-Year Plan (1953-1957).

Hongqi plans to intensify its efforts to establish itself as a global automotive brand. Over the next five years, it aims to expand its presence to more than 100 countries and regions, build a global network of 1,000 sales and service outlets, and roll out a broader lineup of NEVs, energy-efficient models and ultra-luxury models worldwide.