Jerusalem [Israel], June 30: Israeli car dealership Samelet Group on Tuesday opened the first showroom for China's limousine brand Hongqi in the central Israeli city of Tel Aviv.
Hongqi, meaning "red flag" in the Chinese language, has grown to be China's iconic marque since its establishment in 1958 through years of limo services for national ceremonial events.
This April, the brand entered the Israeli market by launching the flagship model E-HS9, a pure-electric luxury SUV with a length of 5.209 meters and a wheelbase of 3.11 meters.
At the opening ceremony of the showroom, Samelet CEO Shay Feldman said the brand is "now achieving another significant milestone with an official flagship showroom."
"Opening Hongqi's first showroom in Israel reflects an additional and highly significant step for the brand's operation in Israel," he said.
Feldman said his company considers Hongqi's manufacturer, Chinese automaker First Automobile Works Group (FAW), "a strategic partner to our vision to develop the automotive market in Israel in various fields."
"The current model is just the first of a series that Samelet will import to Israel in the upcoming years," he noted.
Yang Dayong, managing director of overseas business department of FAW Group, delivered a speech via video links, hoping Hongqi will bring the ultimate experience of "Oriental Limousine" to the Israeli customers soon.
Chinese Ambassador to Israel Cai Run attended the opening ceremony and experienced the Hongqi E-HS9 model.
FAW Group is one of China's oldest and largest automotive manufacturers. It was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in China's northern city of Changchun, Jilin Province.
Source: Xinhua
