Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor unveils the Forthing S7 at the Paris Motor Show. Photo: Courtesy of Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor
On Monday, the 90th Paris Motor Show opened at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Chinese state-owned automotive brand Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor unveiled several best-selling models and held the overseas debut ceremony of its first pure electric sedan, the Forthing S7 at the event. Participants included Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in France Chen Dong, Executive Vice President and Secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers Fu Bingfeng, and General Manager of Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Lin Changbo, as well as more than 100 automotive industry professionals and media reporters from around the globe, witnessing a new chapter in the "going global" journey of Chinese automobiles.
As Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Group was founded in 1954, 2024 marks the 70th anniversary of its establishment. After years of technical accumulation, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor has always adhered to the core philosophy of "serving users, self-reliance, and self-improvement." Amid the global automotive industry's trend toward new energy, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor launched its "Photosynthetic Future" new energy strategy in 2022. With its profound technical background, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor continues to introduce competitive products and technologies, such as independently developing the Super EMA-E architecture and 3.0 Armor Battery, and fully addressing the challenges of the new energy transformation to achieve green, efficient and low-carbon development. At present, these technologies have been substantially deployed in products and are entering the comprehensive implementation stage.
After the unveiling ceremony of the Forthing S7, many local European dealers and media reporters eagerly lined up to test drive the car, praising China's intelligent manufacturing. A regional sales manager from WESS Mobility, a key partner of Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor from Latvia, told reporters that Latvia's cold climate means consumers are highly concerned about the durability and range of electric vehicles. The Forthing S7's claimed range of 430 kilometers was a pleasant surprise for him.
The pure electric sedan Forthing S7 Photo: Courtesy of Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor
In addition to its impressive range, the Forthing S7 boasts several unique advantages. According to Lin Changbo, general manager of Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, the Forthing S7 was designed to be a "beautiful and reliable family sedan" tailored for global consumers. Its aerodynamic design gives it one of the lowest drag coefficients in the world, so it has enhanced acceleration performance, reduced energy consumption and saved costs for users. The Forthing S7 also features a peak wheel torque of 3,733Nm, a minimum turning radius of 5.45 meters, and the ability to charge from 30 percent to 80 percent in just 26 minutes. In terms of safety, the Forthing S7 is equipped with a 3.0 Armor Battery, using 68.53 percent high-strength steel, and is fitted with an L2+ level intelligent driving assistance system with 17 active safety features, providing comprehensive protection by accurately capturing road conditions in real-time.
Lin Changbo highlighted that in recent years Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor has made significant progress in overseas markets. The company has established production bases in several countries, with an annual growth rate of over 40 percent in its international business. While consolidating its traditional strong markets in South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, the company has also intensified its efforts to expand into the European market. In the first three quarters of 2024, their sales in Europe achieved a staggering 325 percent year-on-year increase.
Looking ahead, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor is committed to "recreating itself" in overseas markets, striving to achieve a strategic goal where domestic and international sales each account for 50 percent.
