South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd., trading as Soueast, is a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Fuzhou, Fujian, and was a joint venture between China Motor Corporation (25%), Fujian Motor Industry Group (50%) and Mitsubishi Motors (25%).[2][3][4][5] Its principal activity is the design, development, production and sale of passenger cars and minibuses sold under the Soueast marque.[6] It also manufactures Mitsubishi brand passenger cars for sale in mainland China.[7]

South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd.
(trading as Soueast)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1995
HeadquartersFuzhou, Fujian, China
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Zi-Sheng Zuo (President)[1]
ProductsAutomobiles
OwnerChery (100%)
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese东南(福建)汽车工业有限公司
Traditional Chinese東南(福建)汽車工業有限公司
Websitewww.soueast-motor.com

As of early 2011, Soueast had an annual production capacity of around 180,000 units, but this was set to rise to 300,000 with the completion of current construction,[8] which may have been finished by early 2012.[note 1]

Although the competition is fierce, the niche has advantages in the market segment, which has earned it a certain degree of praise among buyers who focus on controllability. It once exceeded 100,000 units. In May 2021, Mitsubishi announced its withdrawal from Southeast Motor, ending 26 years between the two parties. years of cooperation. In mid-2023, Mitsubishi officially ended the sale of all shares in the Chinese market. China Motor Corporation stated that they have stopped introducing models for a period of time without much impact. They are still optimistic about the future of the Soueast Auto brand and will mainly accelerate modernization and electrification[9].

The company was acquired by Chery in 2024 and is currently producing Jetour vehicles.[10][11]

History edit

Soueast was founded in November 1995 as a joint venture between China Motor Corporation and Fujian Motor Industry Group.[12][3] Mitsubishi became a partner in the joint venture in 2006.[3]

In April 2008, Soueast was awarded a contract to supply 5,700 Delica minibuses to the Iranian Mehreghan Co.[13][14] In the same year, Jackie Chan was signed on as a Mitsubishi brand ambassador for Mainland China markets.[15]

Products edit

Soueast Motors produces Soueast-branded models including the V3 and V5 sedans, and a range of Mitsubishi models for the Chinese market.

Soueast marque edit

Soueast produces the following models under the Soueast marque:

Discontinued:

Mitsubishi marque edit

Soueast produces the following models under the Mitsubishi marque:

Dodge marque edit

Operations edit

Soueast has at least one production base in Qingkou city, Minhou County, Fuzhou, Fujian province.[12] This location has probably been expanded three times[8] with the second phase possibly completed c. 2009 as that year saw a 150% increase in units produced.[16] As of early 2011, total yearly production capacity for all sites was forecast to soon reach 300,000 with the completion of the base's third phase.[8] February 2012 production was 37% higher than that of the previous year,[17] which may reflect this additional capacity coming online.

Sales edit

A total of 96,553 Soueast brand passenger cars were sold in China in 2013, making it the 38th largest-selling car brand in the country in that year (and the 21st largest-selling Chinese brand).[18]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Production capacity figures may consider engines and vehicles as discrete.

References edit

  1. ^ "Company Overview of South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  2. ^ Affiliated Companies - China Motor Corporation Archived 2012-03-14 at the Wayback Machine Yulon Group Official Site
  3. ^ a b c Mitsubishi Motors to invest in South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd. of China Archived 2012-06-16 at the Wayback Machine Mitsubishi Official Site, April 12, 2006
  4. ^ Activities by Region, Asia, 2009 Archived 2012-03-09 at the Wayback Machine Mitsubishi Official Site
  5. ^ Affiliated Companies - South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd. Archived 2012-03-14 at the Wayback Machine Yulon Group Official Site
  6. ^ Soueast Motor wins Iranian export deal chinadaily.com.cn, 2008-01-04]
  7. ^ Lagging far behind, Mitsubishi looks to new joint partnership chinadaily.com.cn, 2010-11-15
  8. ^ a b c "CHINA'S SOUEST MOTORS TO BEGIN THIRD-PHASE PLANT AFTER FESTIVAL". Asia Pulse. Rhodes. Jan 25, 2011.
  9. ^ "存档副本". 27 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  10. ^ sina_mobile (2024-03-10). "奇瑞汽车完成收购东南汽车". finance.sina.cn. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  11. ^ "奇瑞"吞掉"东南汽车". auto.gasgoo.com. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  12. ^ a b About Us - History Archived 2010-12-03 at the Wayback Machine South East Motor Official Site
  13. ^ 1.6 Mitsubishi ASX flying into China soon chinacartimes.com, December 6, 2010
  14. ^ "Soueast Motor wins Iranian export deal". China Daily. 1 January 2008. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  15. ^ Business in brief - Mar. 25 people.com.cn, March 25, 2008
  16. ^ Activities by Region: Asia, ASEAN and other regions (PDF). Mitsubishi Motors. 2010. pp. 2 (18). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  17. ^ "Mitsubishi Motors announces production, sales and export figures for February 2012". Mitsubishi Motors. March 29, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  18. ^ "2013 Passenger Vehicle Sales by Brand". China Auto Web. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.

External links edit

Soueast, a marque of Fuijan Motors Group, vehicle timeline
1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
sedan subcompact Lioncel V3
compact V5
hatchback V6
crossover V Cross
midsize DX7
subcompact DX3
van Veryca C1
Delica
MPV compact Freeca