FAW Group Corporation Co., Ltd. (FAW) announced its R.Flag Plan – a technology development plan for Hongqi brand – in Shanghai on October 30. As a key measure of implementing New Hongqi Brand Strategy, the R.Flag Plan is also a major achievement in promoting brand image and product competitiveness of Hongqi brand.

“Major progress has been made in current stage of our efforts to revitalizing Hongqi brand and building Hongqi into a top brand in China and world-renowned premium brand,” Xu Liuping, Chairman of FAW said at the ceremony, “The improvement of brand image and customer experience of Hongqi requires powerful technology advantages, that is why we introduce R.Flag Plan – an advanced environment-friendly and intelligent technology platform.”

The R.Flag Plan, stands for Rise, Future, Leading, Autonomous and Genes, comprises of four strategic plans – iRFlag, e.Rflag, 5f.Rflag, and m.Rflag.

i.RFlag is Hongqi’s technology brand in intelligent connected vehicle. Hongqi will introduce L3 autonomous mass-produced model in 2019, and L4 autonomous mass-produced model and L5 autonomous mass-produced model in 2020 and 2025 respectively. FAW plans to release Hongqi L4 autonomous model in November this year, which will be the first mass-produced L4 passenger vehicle in China.

e.RFlag is Hongqi’s technology brand in electrification segment. Hongqi’s first battery electric vehicle will be put into production in 2018. Hongqi’s fuel cell electric vehicle will be mass produced in 2019. An electric vehicle range up to 600 km will be introduced in 2020. By 2025, Hongqi will launch a total of 15 electric models.

5f.RFlag is Hongqi’s technology brand in experience. Hongqi will use cutting-edge technologies to provide customers ultimate and comfortable experience. It is reported that Hongqi is building innovative labs around the world and establishing distinctive and constantly iterative standards. Relevant products in line with the technologies and standards will be introduced from 2019 in a step-by-step way.

m.RFlag represents Hongqi’s technology brand in ride-sharing. Based on “smart city, smart living, smart transportation, smart car, smart mobile service and smart ecology,” Hongqi will explore innovative modes, including Hongqi mobility service system and business car 3.0 program, to build an intelligent mobility whole value chain and ecosystem. Supported by many municipal or provincial governments, Hongqi has launched ride-sharing service in Changchun, Jilin and Foshan cities, and Hainan province. A nationwide mobility service platform of Hongqi is taking shape.

FAW is a leading global manufacturer of quality passenger cars, trucks, and buses. Established in 1953, the company is China’s oldest and largest automotive group. Annual sales exceed three million units.