why?
4 Likes
Because it just does
and why does it
because it’s shape in my opinion is very similar to the early crosstrek
I get where you’re coming from haha. It wasn’t until after I finished the car that I realized I made a borderline Corolla clone. Appropriate for late 2000s China 
3 Likes
The 2002 SJ, has that body made it to 4.24?
As of today, unfortunately not 
Huangdou History Bites: 2003-2008 Haiyang
By 2003, the Huangdou Haiyang midsize sedan had been refreshed with a new look embodying inspiration from both America and Japan. It was intended to compete with those American and Japanese competitors both domestically and internationally, with its secret weapon being its cheap price.
It was less expensive, however such did not come with great sacrifices. It was less powerful, making 132 hp out of a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder. It was less protected from the elements, with untreated steel panels covering its galvanized chassis. More prominently, it was a lot less safe, scoring just 1-star in the Euro NCAP offset frontal crash.
Starting at $17,500, the Haiyang still offered some comfort. Its leather seats were a huge upgrade from the cardboard-like calamity found in the SJ model line, its rear multilink suspension provided a supple ride with room for hard thrashing (not that the vehicle could get thrashed that hard anyways)…
…and upper trims came with some pretty fancy wood!
The normal consumer versions were as normal as they got. Electric power steering, choices between a 4-speed auto or a 5-speed manual, they were as “car” as “car” could have gotten.
However, the automaker did have one limited-run trim level dubbed the “Super Luxury” in English markets, and CHH (超豪华) domestically. It had a premium sound system made by Sony, softer springs, a lower body kit and chrome trim all over. It went for about $24,500 with a model run of only 1,000 vehicles.
It looked pretty handsome I have to say. I’m pretty proud of this one.
At an even more limited run was a sport version, with stiffer springs, lower ride height, better tires and bigger wheels. Only 500 of these were made. Rarely did any of them sell.
And what better way to end off this article with no taste! I thought this car looked relatively Japanese so I did a relatively Japanese thing to it.
During its 5 year run, the 2003-2008 Haiyang sold well in domestic markets, however, suffered in international markets due to its unsafe nature. Although relatively unassuming as a car, it did what early 2000’s Huangdou did well, and carried its legacy on to the next refresh.
26 Likes
Midsize sedan, so Camry or early naughties Taurus sized right? Looks like the kind of thing I would buy up in a heartbeat if it had a V6 ;)))
Yeeeep, Camry sized. Ain’t no V6 in sight though 
If I am not mistaken, the Haiyang was made using one of the bodies introduced in the latest open beta build - if so, then this must be one of the best uses of it, by you or anyone else.
It’s quite a versatile body! There are a ton of variants to go with and it’ll definitely open up to many unique designs.
Huangdou History Bites: 1992-1996 GZHD7121
A lore collaboration between @CorsicaUnknown and yours truly.
If your first thought is “there’s nothing special to really take out of these”, you’re precisely correct. The Huangdou GZHD7121 was the continuation of the long-running SJ-series vehicles the Chinese company still produces today. Sharing Sisten technology as per their partnership in the pre-2000s, the Huangdou GZHD7121 showed significant improvements in quality compared to the brand’s earlier vehicles, as well as its own competition.
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Pictured on the left is the 1992 GZHD7121. Its design was simple, stupid, and its engineering just worked. Nothing more to take out of off the showroom floor. Once it got off, however, all its flaws were apparent. Its bare steel chassis would not take nicely to the Chinese humidity only 10 years down the line, while its headlights yellowed and panel gaps grew. It wasn’t until under Sisten’s involvement when these problems would be mitigated.
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By 1993, the issues of the GZHD7121 were addressed in multiple board meetings between the corporations, refining issues and providing new technology for the Honghu engines and running gear. However, much to the disappointment of the Sisten company, the vehicle continued to use a bare steel chassis until Honghu eventually obtained hot-dip technology for their steel in 1996.
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By '96, the GZHD7121 had been facelifted, with a more modernized look at least on the front. The rear stayed virtually the same, and so did most of the powertrain besides the odd few improvements from Sisten.
The interior had been modernized with the help of some Sisten part sharing as well, providing the Chinese market with quality miles higher than its other domestic counterparts, yet still lacking behind its international competitors.
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Production, like the Sistens, continued until 2006, superseded by the 2002 SJ. Such was the case until it was fully replaced by the 2007 SJ, in which the 2002 then took its place.
15 Likes