Chinese manufacturer dating from 1958, when the first Dongfeng rolled off the production line on May 12. Originally produced by FAW, which had produced China’s first truck in 1956, it was named for a Mao Tse Tung slogan; nine days after the first car, Mao rode in it to promote China’s motorization. Literally 東風 (east wind).

The first car owed its origins to the Simca Vedette (1954–7) and the Mercedes-Benz 190, with a unique transmission. Production was 30 units.

The name disappeared for over a decade till the modern Dongfeng was set up in Wuhan, Hubei, in 1969. It has ventures with Honda, Kia, Nissan, Peugeot and Yulon, among others, and a line of its own cars.