South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd., trading as Soueast, is a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Fuzhou, Fujian, a subsidary of Chery. It conducts production and sale of passenger vehicle under the Soueast marque.[2]

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
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinDōngnán (Fújiàn) Qìchē Gōngyè Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī
Websitewww.soueast-motor.com

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.[3][4][5][6][7]

History

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Soueast was founded in November 1995 as a joint venture between China Motor Corporation and Fujian Motor Industry Group.[8][5] Mitsubishi became a partner in the joint venture in 2006.[5]

In April 2008, Soueast was awarded a contract to supply 5,700 Delica minibuses to the Iranian Mehreghan Co.[9][10] In the same year, Jackie Chan was signed on as a Mitsubishi brand ambassador for Mainland China markets.[11]

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,[12] 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 cooperation.[13]

The company was acquired by Chery in 2024 and is currently producing Jetour vehicles.[14][15]

Products

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Currently available

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Discontinued:

Mitsubishi-badged

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Soueast produces the following models under the Mitsubishi marque:

Dodge marque

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Operations

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Soueast has at least one production base in Qingkou city, Minhou County, Fuzhou, Fujian province.[8] This location has probably been expanded three times[12] 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.[12] February 2012 production was 37% higher than that of the previous year,[17] which may reflect this additional capacity coming online.

Sales

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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

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

References

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  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. ^ Soueast Motor wins Iranian export deal chinadaily.com.cn, 2008-01-04]
  3. ^ Lagging far behind, Mitsubishi looks to new joint partnership chinadaily.com.cn, 2010-11-15
  4. ^ Affiliated Companies - China Motor Corporation Archived 2012-03-14 at the Wayback Machine Yulon Group Official Site
  5. ^ 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
  6. ^ Activities by Region, Asia, 2009 Archived 2012-03-09 at the Wayback Machine Mitsubishi Official Site
  7. ^ Affiliated Companies - South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd. Archived 2012-03-14 at the Wayback Machine Yulon Group Official Site
  8. ^ a b About Us - History Archived 2010-12-03 at the Wayback Machine South East Motor Official Site
  9. ^ 1.6 Mitsubishi ASX flying into China soon chinacartimes.com, December 6, 2010
  10. ^ "Soueast Motor wins Iranian export deal". China Daily. 1 January 2008. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  11. ^ Business in brief - Mar. 25 people.com.cn, March 25, 2008
  12. ^ a b c "CHINA'S SOUEST MOTORS TO BEGIN THIRD-PHASE PLANT AFTER FESTIVAL". Asia Pulse. Rhodes. Jan 25, 2011.
  13. ^ "存档副本". 27 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  14. ^ sina_mobile (2024-03-10). "奇瑞汽车完成收购东南汽车". finance.sina.cn. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  15. ^ "奇瑞"吞掉"东南汽车". auto.gasgoo.com. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  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.
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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