Dongfeng to launch first Chinese coupe in H1 '09

Shanghai, December 31 (Gasgoo.com) Dongfeng Motor Group yesterday confirmed that its own-brand coupe model code-named EQ7240 has been approved by China's auto industry regulator for mass production and will be launched to market in early 2009, at a price above 200,000 yuan ($29,300). It will be the first coupe model developed and made by a Chinese automaker.

The Dongfeng coupe model has been listed among the new vehicles for production in the new year by China's Ministry of Information Industry. It will be built by the Dongfeng Rongcheng Auto Company located in east China's Shandong province and is expected to go on sale in the first half of next year.

Dongfeng Rongcheng said that the Dongfeng coupe is the first medium- to high-grade coupe model developed and produced by a Chinese automaker. It will be equipped with the Mitsubishi 4G69 2.4l MIVEC engine but all the other key components are developed by Dongfeng Motor.

The Dongfeng coupe concept was displayed at the 2006 Beijing auto show and since then has been awaiting approval from the industry regulator for production and sale.

The top management of Dongfeng Motor Group, China's third largest automaker, said that it has an integrated scheme for its future sedan product line-up.