Chinese luxury carmaker Hongqi has announced that its latest electric SUV, the EHS5, will come to Europe as part of an ambitious plan to launch 15 new electric and hybrid models by 2028. The brand, known in China as the ‘Red Flag’, hopes the car will help it break into a crowded market dominated by Tesla, Volkswagen, and Hyundai.
The EHS5 made its debut at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, where Hongqi set out its strategy to expand into 25 European markets and establish more than 200 dealerships over the next five years.
The announcement highlights how Chinese manufacturers, facing intense competition at home, are seeking to mitigate their oversupply in the European market.
Something else
Until now, Hongqi, which is distributed in Belgium by Hedin Automotive, has tried to wow customers with high-end cars, like the enormous E-HS9, followed by the more reasonably sized and priced EHS7 SUV and EH7 sedan. But EHS5 is something else, and will be pitched as a family-friendly alternative to the Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4, and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
At 4.75 meters in length, it is slightly shorter than the Model Y and considerably less ostentatious than the chrome-heavy models that have so far defined Hongqi’s European presence. In China, the vehicle is sold under the name Tiangong 06.
Giles Taylor, FAW Group’s design chief and a former Rolls-Royce stylist, described the EHS5 as “more dynamic and a bit more youthful” than the models already on sale. “This is very much a car suited to urban and suburban use, for families and single drivers,” he said.
Chinese specs
Exact specifications for the European version remain under wraps, but Hongqi says the car will come in rear- and all-wheel-drive versions. If the Chinese specs are a clue, it will carry an 85kWh battery, providing between 550 and 600 kilometers of range under the WLTP cycle. Crucially, it can recharge from 10% to 80% in around 20 minutes using high-speed chargers at up to 265 kW — marginally faster than the Model Y.
Pricing remains unknown; it is expected that Hongqi will price the EHS5 aggressively to carve out space in a competitive mid-size EV segment. Its larger sibling, the EHS7, currently starts at €54,995, suggesting the newcomer will come in below that threshold.
For now, Hongqi’s European sales remain modest – only eight units have been sold in Belgium in 2025 – but parent company FAW has set its sights on rapid expansion, promising a network of dealerships and service centers tailored to local markets.
The company has also struck partnerships to strengthen its technology base: earlier this year, fellow Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor agreed to supply an EV platform that will underpin a new Hongqi model due in late 2026.
