February 8: A great tradition?

Nothing like a fine old tradition. Most people like some sort of tradition in their lives. Well, maybe Elon Musk is the exception, but Vlad Putin is a fine example of someone who likes tradition. Maybe in his case, the tradition isn't so fine, but I digress.

The picture above is an excellent example of an automotive tradition, in this case that Chinese car, the Hongqi and in this pic the CA72 model. The limo of choice for all of the commie hierarchy. But let's take a closer look........

Obviously a car design from the 1950's, with those high riding, single headlights, showing the way thru the adoring proletariat. The start of a tradition from that prestigious Chinese brand? Must be, as a look at the current dictator's latest Hongqi shows.........

Who would have thought that this nondescript front end would become iconic? Nothing classic like a Mercedes or a Rolls front end, but it works for Hongqi. Strange, since the rest of the car is very contemporary in a nicely, conservative way........

But is there more to the Hongqi brand than the chosen limo of their red rulers? And does that front end get carried over like a traditional BMW or Mercedes grille? I know you are fretting over the answer, but let me help you. The answer is no, as the other Hongqi products sport a completely different front end.

Take for example the recently shown electric E-HS3.........

This compact suv (of course, it's an suv, does anyone introduce anything else these days?) sports the signature front end of the rest of the Hongqi stable of fine ruling class and executive cars. Cars like the nondescript H7..........

........ but in case you don't understand its position in Chinese life or who is meant to have one, check out the back seat, which sure screams chauffeur driven to me .......

Or the very up to date H5........

......and of course, the very latest Hongqi, the large and attractive HS7, which also shows off the "lower class" grille..........

Not quite as unique as that throw back grille on the top of the line limo, but who would really want that traditional front end across the entire line? Who would actually want it on any Hongqi?

A couple of other design cues make the Hongqi line stand out from the Mercedes, Audi and Cadillac cars and suvs, that the rising entrepreneurial class prefer to drive. First off, an unusual interior treatment, as shown in this pic from the Hongqi website.......

What exactly is going on here is quite a bit beyond me. Is that some sort of wood or a depiction of the solar system?

And of course, since Hongqi means red flag, how appropriate is it that every single Hongqi vehicle, either has this symbol perched on the hood or is on the front fender........

A great tradition and brand identification rolled into one bright red flag. Brilliant!

Until next time........