With the debut of the BJ40 and X55, Malaysians are introduced to a new brand – BAIC. While it might be relatively unheard of here, it’s actually one of the oldest carmakers in China, and its milestones coincide with a few of our local automotive industry’s too. Let’s take a closer look at BAIC’s story and learn more about its storied past.
Established one year after Merdeka, BAIC, or Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co., Ltd., began its journey in 1958 as a state-owned company. The first car that rolled off their production line was the Jinggangshan sedan, which, according to Wikipedia, is technically based on the Volkswagen Beetle.
On May 5, 1983, 2 days before the birth of Proton, BAIC established a groundbreaking joint venture with American Motors Corporation (AMC), marking the first of its kind in the Chinese car industry. This collaboration led to the creation of Beijing Jeep Corporation (BJC), which initially produced localised versions of the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee. These models were pivotal in introducing modern 4×4 technology to China, symbolising a significant technological transfer from the West to the East.
In September 2003, BAIC expanded its American partnerships by signing a strategic cooperation framework with Chrysler, another major U.S. automaker. Trivia time: Jeep enthusiasts might appreciate knowing that when BAIC first partnered with AMC in 1983, Jeep was already part of AMC’s lineup. The relationship between BAIC and Jeep became even more intertwined when Chrysler, which acquired AMC in 1987, included Jeep in its portfolio.
In 1996, BAIC founded Foton, a company that manufactures mainly commercial vehicles. If you’ve seen the brand’s Adidas-like logo around, that’s because at the local front, Foton is represented by Angka Tan Motor, a subsidiary of Tan Chong Motors for quite some time already.
Like another Chinese giant, Geely, BAIC was also associated with the Swedish marque Saab. However, the relationship with Saab was brief, and they only managed to buy the rights to the Saab 9-3 and 9-5 models. These models became the foundation for its own brand, Senova.
RELATED: BAIC X55 debuts in Malaysia, est. RM120k – RM140k, X70 rival with 1.5L turbo engine
In China BAIC has three main passenger car brands, each catering to different market needs:
- Arcfox: The group’s premium EV brand.
- Beijing Off-Road: Specialising in off-road vehicles with model names starting with BJ.
- BAIC Motor: Models with Beijing emblazoned across its bonnets and bootlids.
In addition, the group has long-standing partnerships with Hyundai and Daimler. The models from these collaborations are characterised by 北京现代 (Beijing Hyundai) and 北京奔驰 (Beijing Benz) badges.
With the debut of the BJ40 and X55, BAIC is stepping into the Malaysian market, bringing decades of experience and potentially a diverse range of vehicles. While new here, its extensive history and international connections make it a brand to watch.
RELATED: BAIC BJ40 Plus debuts in Malaysia, est. RM180k – RM190k, 2.0L turbo petrol, 224hp, 380Nm
