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Soueast

{{Short description|Chinese automobile manufacturing company}}

{{redirect-distinguish|Dongnan|Dongdan Kingdom}}

{{Infobox company

| name = South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd.
(trading as Soueast)

| logo =

| type = Subsidiary

| industry = Automotive

| foundation = 1995

| location = Fuzhou, Fujian, China

| area_served = Worldwide

| key_people = Zi-Sheng Zuo (President){{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=5523163|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140104212330/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=5523163|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 4, 2014|title=Company Overview of South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd.|access-date=4 January 2014|publisher=Bloomberg Businessweek}}

| num_employees =

| slogan =

| products = Automobiles

| owner = Chery (100%)

| homepage = {{url|http://www.soueast-motor.com}}

| module = {{infobox Chinese

|child=yes

|s=东南(福建)汽车工业有限公司

|t=東南(福建)汽車工業有限公司

|p=Dōngnán (Fújiàn) Qìchē Gōngyè Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī

|Altname=Trading name

|order=st}}

}}

South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd., trading as Soueast, is a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Fuzhou, Fujian, a subsidiary of Chery. It conducts production and sale of passenger vehicle under the Soueast marque.[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-01/04/content_6371996.htm Soueast Motor wins Iranian export deal] chinadaily.com.cn, 2008-01-04]

It used to manufactures Mitsubishi brand passenger cars for sale in mainland China, a joint venture between China Motor Corporation (25%), Fujian Motor Industry Group (50%) and Mitsubishi Motors (25%) before it was acquired by Chery.[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-11/15/content_11550259.htm Lagging far behind, Mitsubishi looks to new joint partnership] chinadaily.com.cn, 2010-11-15[http://www.ylg.com.tw/E1.php?id=EA12 Affiliated Companies - China Motor Corporation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314235315/http://www.ylg.com.tw/E1.php?id=EA12|date=2012-03-14}} Yulon Group Official Site[http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/ir/share/pdf/e/fact_2009_10.pdf Activities by Region, Asia, 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309172402/http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/ir/share/pdf/e/fact_2009_10.pdf|date=2012-03-09}} Mitsubishi Official Site[http://www.ylg.com.tw/E1.php?id=EA14 Affiliated Companies - South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314235301/http://www.ylg.com.tw/E1.php?id=EA14|date=2012-03-14}} Yulon Group Official Site

In 2024, SOUEAST Motor boosts production upgrades using its Fujian base's location strengths, integrating global resources/strategies and launching new products. The name "SOUEAST" merges "SOUTH" and "EAST" (from China's southeast Fujian Province), symbolizing its history/culture. Now, it also stands for "SOUL EASE" – promoting an ease lifestyle.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

History

Before 2024

Soueast was founded in November 1995 as a joint venture between China Motor Corporation and Fujian Motor Industry Group.[http://www.soueast-motor.com/en/history.htm About Us - History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203060854/http://www.soueast-motor.com/en/history.htm |date=2010-12-03 }} South East Motor Official Site Mitsubishi became a partner in the joint venture in 2006.[http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/pressrelease/corporate/detail1443.html Mitsubishi Motors to invest in South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd. of China] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616111920/http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/pressrelease/corporate/detail1443.html |date=2012-06-16 }} Mitsubishi Official Site, April 12, 2006

In April 2008, Soueast was awarded a contract to supply 5,700 Delica minibuses to the Iranian Mehreghan Co.[http://www.chinacartimes.com/2010/12/06/1-6-mitsubishi-asx-flying-into-china-soon/ 1.6 Mitsubishi ASX flying into China soon] chinacartimes.com, December 6, 2010{{cite news|title=Soueast Motor wins Iranian export deal|url=http://fuzhou.chinadaily.com.cn/2008-01/04/content_9598505.htm|access-date=4 January 2014|newspaper=China Daily|date=1 January 2008|archive-date=5 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105021341/http://fuzhou.chinadaily.com.cn/2008-01/04/content_9598505.htm|url-status=dead}} In the same year, Jackie Chan was signed on as a Mitsubishi brand ambassador for Mainland China markets.[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90778/90857/90862/6380110.html Business in brief - Mar. 25] people.com.cn, March 25, 2008

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,{{cite news | title = CHINA'S SOUEST MOTORS TO BEGIN THIRD-PHASE PLANT AFTER FESTIVAL | newspaper =Asia Pulse | publisher = Rhodes | date = Jan 25, 2011 }} which may have been finished by early 2012.Production capacity figures may consider engines and vehicles as discrete.

Soueast Motor reached its sales peak in 2017, selling 150,000 units that year.

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 cooperation.{{Cite web |url=https://tw.stock.yahoo.com/news/%E6%B1%BD%E8%BB%8A%E8%82%A1-%E4%B8%89%E8%8F%B1%E9%80%80%E5%87%BA%E6%9D%B1%E5%8D%97%E8%BB%8A-%E4%B8%AD%E8%8F%AF%E8%BB%8A%E6%AD%A3%E9%9D%A2%E7%9C%8B%E5%BE%85-002613009.html |title=存档副本 |date=27 May 2021 |access-date=2023-07-27 |archive-date=2023-07-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727022047/https://tw.stock.yahoo.com/news/%E6%B1%BD%E8%BB%8A%E8%82%A1-%E4%B8%89%E8%8F%B1%E9%80%80%E5%87%BA%E6%9D%B1%E5%8D%97%E8%BB%8A-%E4%B8%AD%E8%8F%AF%E8%BB%8A%E6%AD%A3%E9%9D%A2%E7%9C%8B%E5%BE%85-002613009.html |url-status=live }}

The company was acquired by Chery in 2024 and is currently producing Jetour vehicles.{{Cite web |last=sina_mobile |date=2024-03-10 |title=奇瑞汽车完成收购东南汽车 |url=https://finance.sina.cn/tech/2024-03-10/detail-inamvyzk4690584.d.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=finance.sina.cn}}{{Cite web |title=奇瑞"吞掉"东南汽车 |url=https://auto.gasgoo.com/news/202403/11I70385109C109.shtml |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=auto.gasgoo.com}}

Present

On April 29, 2024, Soueast Motor held a Global Investment Promotion Conference in Fuzhou, Fujian, showcasing its upcoming product lineup and announcing the restart of its global operations.

On September 28, 2024, the new Soueast Motor made its global debut in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, unveiling two new models: the S09 and S07.

In January 2025, Soueast unveiled the new brand concept in three countries - Kuwait, UAE and Qatar - and unveiled its third SUV, the S06

Products

=Current models=

  • Soueast S06 (2025–present), compact SUV, rebadged Jetour Dashing
  • Soueast S07 (2024–present), mid-size SUV, rebadged Jetour Shanhai L7
  • Soueast S09 (2024–present), mid-size SUV, rebadged Jetour Shanhai L9

File:SOUEAST S06.jpg|Soueast S06

File:SOUEAST S07.jpg|Soueast S07

File:SOUEAST S09.jpg|Soueast S09

= Discontinued models =

File:Soueast Veryca China 2012-04-28.JPG|Soueast Veryca

File:Soueast C1 Xiwang 01 China 2017-03-30.jpg|Soueast C1 Xiwang

File:SOUEAST DELICA (15).jpg|Soueast Delica

File:2005 Soueast Freeca (facelift, front).jpg|Soueast Freeca

File:Soueast Soveran China 2012-07-21.jpg|Soueast Sovereign

File:Meter Taxi in Vientiane 01.jpg|Soueast Lioncel

File:Soueast V3 Lingyue Facelift IV Sanming 01 2022-08-07.jpg|Soueast V3

File:Soueast V5 Lingzhi Plus 003.jpg|Soueast V5

File:Soueast V6 Lingshi front.jpg|Soueast V6

File:Soueast V6 Lingshi Cross 02 Auto China 2014-04-23.jpg|Soueast V6 Cross

File:Soueast A5 Yiwu 01 China 2019-03-20.jpg|Soueast A5

File:SOUEAST DX3 (2).jpg|Soueast DX3

File:Soueast DX5, front 20200610.jpg|Soueast DX5

File:Soueast DX7 Xingyue 001.jpg|Soueast DX7

File:Soueast DX8S 01 China 2023-04-06.jpg|Soueast DX8S

=Mitsubishi-badged (before 2021)=

{{Main articles|Mitsubishi Motors}}

Soueast produces the following models under the Mitsubishi marque:

File:MITSUBISHI LANCER (CHINA) (cropped).jpg|A Mitsubishi Lancer produced by Soueast

File:Mitsubishi Lancer EX 01 China 2012-04-28.JPG|A Mitsubishi Lancer EX produced by Soueast

File:Mitsubishi Lancer Fortis China 2014-04-16.jpg|A Mitsubishi Lancer Fortis produced by Soueast

File:MITSUBISHI GALANT NINTH GENERATION (CHINA) (2) (cropped).jpg|A Mitsubishi Galant produced by Soueast

File:MITSUBISHI ZINGER.jpg|A Mitsubishi Zinger produced by Soueast

=Dodge marque=

{{Main articles|Dodge}}

File:Dodge Grand Caravan RS CN Sanming 01 2022-07-08.jpg|Dodge Caravan

Operations

Soueast has at least one production base in Qingkou city, Minhou County, Fuzhou, Fujian province. This location has probably been expanded three times with the second phase possibly completed {{circa|2009}} as that year saw a 150% increase in units produced.{{cite conference | url=http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/ir/share/pdf/e/fact_2010_10.pdf | title=Activities by Region: Asia, ASEAN and other regions | publisher=Mitsubishi Motors | year=2010 | access-date=June 28, 2012 | pages=2 (18) | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202040644/http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/ir/share/pdf/e/fact_2010_10.pdf | archive-date=December 2, 2012 }} 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. February 2012 production was 37% higher than that of the previous year,{{cite news | url=http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/publish/pressrelease_en/ir/2012/news/detail0837.html | title=Mitsubishi Motors announces production, sales and export figures for February 2012 | work=Mitsubishi Motors | date=March 29, 2012 | access-date=June 28, 2012}} which may reflect this additional capacity coming online.

currently{{when?|date=June 2025}}, Soueast Motor operates three major production bases in China located in Wuhu, Kaifeng, and Fuzhou. Globally, the company has established 10 KD factories across regions including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Africa.

In 2024, Soueast Motors announced its presence in 18 countries and regions worldwide, with a sales network of 124 established outlets. The company plans to establish directly-operated subsidiaries in seven additional countries and regions by 2025, including Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan.

Sales

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).{{cite news|url=http://chinaautoweb.com/2014/01/2013-passenger-vehicle-sales-by-brand/|title=2013 Passenger Vehicle Sales by Brand|access-date=5 April 2014|publisher=China Auto Web|date=15 January 2014}}

Notes

{{Reflist|group="note"}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [http://en.soueast-motor.com/ Official website] {{in lang|en}}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20100106163914/http://www.soueast-motor.com/index.aspx Official website] {{in lang|zh}}

class="wikitable mw-collapsible"

|+Soueast, a marque of Fuijan Motors Group, vehicle timeline

| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |

! colspan="3" |1990s

! colspan="10" |2000s

! colspan="10" |2010s

! colspan="5" |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

!1

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!4

rowspan="3" |sedan

! rowspan="2" |subcompact

| colspan="6" |

! colspan="6" |Lioncel

! colspan="12" |V3

| colspan="4" |

colspan="21" |

! colspan="6" |A5

| colspan="1" |

rowspan="4" |compact

| colspan="15" rowspan="2" |

! colspan="9" |V5

| colspan="4" |

hatchback

! colspan="9" |V6

| colspan="4" |

rowspan="6" |crossover

| colspan="17" |

! colspan="7" |V Cross

| colspan="4" |

colspan="22" |

! colspan="5" |DX5

| colspan="1" |

rowspan="3" |midsize

| colspan="17" |

! colspan="10" |DX7

| colspan="3" |

colspan="21" |

! colspan="6" |DX8

| colspan="1" |

colspan="23" |

!DX9

| colspan="4" |

rowspan="3" |subcompact

| colspan="19" |

! colspan="8" |DX3

|

rowspan="2" |van

| colspan="3" |

! colspan="10" |Veryca

! colspan="11" |C1

| colspan="4" |

colspan="17" |Delica

| colspan="11" |

MPV

!compact

| colspan="4" |

! colspan="17" |Freeca

| colspan="7" |

{{Chery}}

{{Automotive industry in China}}

Category:Car manufacturers of China

Category:Electric vehicle manufacturers of China

Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1995

Category:Companies based in Fuzhou

Category:Chinese brands

Category:Mitsubishi Motors subsidiaries

Category:Joint ventures

Category:1995 in Fuzhou