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Shouwang is an independent brand launched by Beijing Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd. in 2011 as a joint venture initiative. Led by the Beijing Hyundai Technology Center for R&D, it was one of the representative brands in the wave of “joint venture independence” that swept through the Chinese automotive industry at the time. The Chinese name “Shouwang” translates to “top prestigious family” in classical language, implying the inheritance of the Hyundai brand’s prestige, the continuation of Beijing Hyundai’s classic quality, and the aspiration for independent vehicle manufacturing within a joint venture framework. The brand logo features a simple and clear 3D design resembling two hands held high, symbolizing the brand’s commitment to providing high-quality products and meticulous service to consumers. In its initial planning, Shouwang prioritized new energy vehicles, launching electric and hybrid models first, with conventional fuel-powered models to follow.
The Shouwang brand represents a continuation of Beijing Hyundai’s independent exploration following the Sonata “Mingyu” model. It was viewed as a key strategic measure for Beijing Hyundai to respond to national industrial policies and enhance its local R&D capabilities.
The birth of the Shouwang brand is closely related to the wave of "joint venture independence" that emerged in the Chinese automotive industry around 2010. During this period, to respond to national industrial policy requirements, joint venture enterprises such as GAC Honda, SAIC-GM-Wuling, and Dongfeng Nissan successively launched independent brands. Beijing Hyundai, as a follower, officially launched "Shouwang" in 2011. In 2009, Beijing Hyundai had already independently completed the design and development of "Mingyu" based on the Sonata model, accumulating preliminary experience in independent development for the "Shouwang" brand.
On November 21, 2011, at the 9th Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition, Beijing Hyundai officially launched its independent brand "Shouwang" and debuted its first concept car - the pure electric concept car with the code name BHCD-1. The BHCD-1 body length reached 4.8 meters, close to the size of the Hyundai Azera mid-to-large sedan, adopting an opposite-opening door design, discarding traditional rearview mirrors, with a sharp and dynamic appearance, showcasing the brand's design concept for future models.
In April 2012, Beijing Hyundai showcased the Shouwang concept car BHCD-1 at the 12th Beijing International Motor Show, comprehensively displaying the brand's independent innovation achievements. At that time, the brand had registered multiple models including sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, and planned to advance simultaneously on two major technical pathways: traditional internal combustion engines and new energy (pure electric, hybrid).
2013 was the launch year for Shouwang brand mass production. The pure electric version based on the Elantra platform - Shouwang 500e - started mass production and was delivered to Beijing Pinggu District Green Valley Electric Taxi Small Bus Company for taxi operation pilots. In the same year, the model appeared in the MIIT Product Announcement in the name of Shouwang brand BH7000BEVAA type pure electric sedan.
In 2014, the Shouwang 500e officially went on sale, becoming one of the joint venture independent brands with the fastest landing in the new energy field by Beijing Hyundai. Official data shows that the model officially halted production on January 22, 2017, and halted sales on July 1 of the same year, completing a full product lifecycle.
The product line of the Shouwang brand was extremely streamlined, launching only two models: Shouwang Concept Car (BHCD-1) and Shouwang 500e (BH7000BEVAA), of which only the latter achieved mass production delivery.
Shouwang Concept BHCD-1: Debut at the 2011 Guangzhou Auto Show, the "BH" in the model code stands for Beijing Hyundai, and "CD-1" is the first model in the CD series. The body length reaches 4.8 meters, close to the Hyundai Azera size class. The appearance adopts complex lines and variable curve designs, with headlights and fog lights designs full of innovation. The side adopts an opposite-opening door opening method, discarding traditional exterior mirror designs, replaced by more modern camera-style rearview mirrors; the rear C-pillar almost disappears, the roof and trunk transition naturally, presenting a hatchback style. This model was planned to cover three technical routes: electric, hybrid, and traditional power, with the mass production model originally planned to be launched as early as 2013, but ultimately failed to enter the mass production stage.
Shouwang 500e / Shouwang Brand BH7000BEVAA: The only model under the brand that achieved mass production and sales. The vehicle is built on the seventh-generation Elantra platform (Hyundai's i-gmp platform), with an appearance design highly consistent with the Elantra, only the brand logo and EV logo differ. Body dimensions are 4545mm (Length) x 1725mm (Width) x 1425mm (Height), wheelbase 2610mm, curb weight 1485kg, total mass 1860kg. Equipped with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) power battery, individual cells provided by CATL, battery pack produced by Beijing Prelude New Energy Battery Technology Co., Ltd., capacity 80Ah. The powertrain uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor, produced by Da Yang Electric New Power Technology Co., Ltd., rated power 30kW, peak power 60kW, maximum speed 120km/h, NEDC comprehensive working condition range 190 kilometers. Standard equipment includes ABS anti-lock braking system (Model MGH60, produced by Mando Chassis Components Co., Ltd.), optional various wheel styles, front fog lights, and EV logo. The vehicle halted production in January 2017 and halted sales in July 2017, leaving a short mark in Chinese automotive history.
The market lifecycle of the Shouwang brand was extremely short and heavily reliant on policy-driven demand. In May 2013, Beijing Hyundai delivered 50 Shouwang 500e pure electric vehicles to the Beijing Pinggu District Green Valley Electric Taxi Small Bus Company for a regional taxi pilot program. This remains the only confirmed bulk sales record for the brand. Although the Shouwang 500e was officially launched to the general market in 2014, it failed to achieve significant scale due to its derivation from the older Elantra platform, a limited range of only 190 kilometers, and low brand awareness. As of the production halt in 2017, exact total sales figures for the Shouwang 500e are not available in public records. In the years following its launch, Shouwang never appeared in major vehicle sales rankings, and the brand did not introduce any new models.
The technical system of the Shouwang brand reflects the resource integration characteristics typical of early joint venture independent brands, combining core technologies from both Chinese and South Korean partners.
Powertrain: The Shouwang 500e is equipped with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries. Individual cells are supplied by CATL, while battery pack assembly and integration are handled by Beijing Prelude New Energy Battery Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the BAIC Group. CATL’s industry-leading position in battery technology provides a fundamental guarantee for safety and stability.
Drive and Electronic Control System: The electric motor utilizes permanent magnet synchronous technology, provided by Da Yang Electric New Power Technology Co., Ltd., with a peak power of 60 kW and a rated power of 30 kW. The electric vehicle controllers were independently developed by Beijing Hyundai, with control software completed by Beijing Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd.
Chassis Platform Technology: The Shouwang 500e was developed based on the Hyundai seventh-generation Elantra platform. It retains the mature chassis structure and suspension system of the original platform. This strategy reduced development costs and time, significantly shortening the cycle from concept to mass production.
The Shouwang brand had no significant presence in overseas markets. From its inception, the brand was positioned to meet local Chinese policy requirements and expand within the domestic new energy vehicle sector, with all production and sales confined to China. The brand neither participated in international Class A auto shows (noting that the Guangzhou and Beijing auto shows are domestic exhibitions), nor developed right-hand drive or export-specific models for overseas markets. Furthermore, it did not establish any overseas sales networks or authorized dealer systems.
As of 2026, the Shouwang brand remains in a state of substantive stagnation. Production and sales of its only mass-produced model, the Shouwang 500e, were completely halted in 2017, and Beijing Hyundai has not announced any plans to revive the brand or reported progress on new model R&D. Amid China’s automotive industry transition from the fuel era to comprehensive electrification, Shouwang failed to achieve a second round of product iteration. Its early strategic plan of “new energy first, followed by traditional powertrains” was also abandoned due to changes in the market environment.
In automotive databases, the Shouwang brand is still marked as “Not Yet Launched,” and no valid model information appears on mainstream car sales websites. Beijing Hyundai has provided no further explanation, leaving the brand’s future direction highly uncertain. Shouwang’s silence reflects the common plight of joint venture independent brands from the early 2010s. Similar brands launched during that period, such as FAW-Volkswagen’s “Kaili,” Dongfeng Honda’s “Siming,” and GAC Toyota’s “Lingzhi,” mostly ceased progress after launching concept cars or engaging in small-scale trial production.
Reviewing the development history of joint venture independent brands, Shouwang’s lifecycle can be divided into three stages: brand launch and product development (2011–2013), mass production and sales (2013–2017), and actual suspension (2017–present). In today’s landscape, where the wave of joint venture independent brands has subsided and the Chinese new energy vehicle market has become highly competitive, reviving Shouwang would require Beijing Hyundai to invest significant funds in updating product platforms, upgrading “three-electric” technologies (battery, motor, and electronic control), and reconstructing sales channels. Given Beijing Hyundai’s existing product structure, such an investment faces significant uncertainty. Consequently, the future direction of Shouwang remains an unresolved issue.
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