English: Place: Foshan, Guangdong Province

Chinese name: 东南V5菱致 (dōngnán V5 língzhì) Year of launch: 2012

Soueast was founded in 1995 as a joint venture between the Taiwanese China Motor Corporation [CMC] (25%), Fujian Motor Industry Group (50%) and Mitsubishi Motors (25%). It produced the 1995-2000 Lancer, Minicab and Delica under its own name, which gained a unique front end and rear end through the years. In 2012 Soueast launched the V5 Lingzhi sedan, followed by the V6 Lingshi hatchback in the year after. Both are based on the latest Mitsubishi Lancer, but with a distinctive exterior and interior. In 2014 Soueast finally launched an all-new model, the DX7 Bolang SUV. This new SUV competes with the Haval H6, Changan CS75, Trumpchi GS4, Geely Boyue and the likes. Two years later it was followed by the DX3 compact SUV, currently one of my favourite Chinese cars. With its modern and stylish crossover look it could appeal to European buyers if it would be launched here. Both the DX3 and DX7 are designed in cooperation with Pininfarina. Especially the DX7 has a distinctive look in my opinion, something some competitors lack. Sales of both are very good for Soueast, but still not good enough to compete with the big local carmakers.

Soueast used the Mitsubishi Lancer platform for its new sedan (V5 Lingzhi) and hatchback (V6 Lingshi), with the latter one being based on the Lancer Sportback.

Sales figures: carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/soueast/soueast-v5-...