A super sweet Hafei Baili HFJ7090, seen in Fangzhuang District in Beijing in 2012. The good Baili was in a reasonable shape but in dire need of some love and maintenance. It was painted in an 80’s style shade of beige with gray bumpers and with steel wheels.
The Hafei Baili was made from 1997 until 2004 by a company called Harbin Hafei Motor, then a subsidiary of Harbin Aircraft Industry, a military-aircraft maker. In 2009, the Hafei brand was sold to Changan Automotive. Hafei means ‘Flying Happy’.
The Baili was based on the Daewoo Tico. The Tico was made by various Chinese automakers under different names. It is still unclear if these Chinese Tico’s were illegal copies or semi-legal CKD production cars.
The Baili came standard with two rear spoilers; one up on the roof and one on the window. The buyer of this car was apparently not interested in the optional rear-windshield wiper! The roof rails, stickers, and body kit were standard too.
A period factory photo. This one has wheel covers.
Power came from a three-cylinder water-cooled 0.870 liter engine, good for 44 hp and 64 nm. Fuel consumption was 5.0 liter per 100 km. Size: 3390/1485 /1395, wheelbase was 2335. Price, in 2004, was a very cheap 30.800 yuan for the base model.
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